Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, complaining about the delayed delivery of his latest letters concerning the imminent arrival of Mary Queen of Scots at Tutbury Castle.

Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), regretting that he is not there to greet her (at an unspecified location), as he is attending the queen at 'Nonsuch'; but invites her to 'command & dispose of house & all that is in it even as you would of your very own'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, to thank him for favours shown to her and ask him to present a friend of hers to the queen. In the postscript she writes on behalf of her son Henry Cavendish, requesting that Dudley send 'earnest letters' to the Prince of Orange in Henry's favour.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, to thank him for his efforts in finding a match for her widowed daughter Elizabeth, dowager countess of Lennox, and for his goodwill towards her son, Charles Cavendish. Bess's husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, adds a postscript, reiterating her thanks.

This is a draft letter from Elizabeth I to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) and her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury regarding their hosting of Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester (particularly to do with how much food and drink they are to allow him). For the heavily revised, final sent version of this, see Letter ID 172.

Elizabeth I writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) and her husband George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, thanking them for entertaining Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, at Chatsworth and Buxton; as well as for 'the charge commited to you both [i.e. Mary Queen of Scots]'. She writes that the debt owed them is 'as great as a sovereign can owe to a subject'. This letter is endorsed in Shrewsbury's hand as 'the dearest jewel'. For a significantly different, earlier draft version of this, see letter ID 221.

Francis Leake writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) concerning his acquisition of land from the earl of Leicester and related title disputes.

Gilbert Talbot writes to George (his father) and Bess (his stepmother and mother-in-law), earl and countess of Shrewsbury, reporting his recent dealings with Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester - to do with 'a packet' from George; Dudley's petitioning the queen on behalf of Elizabeth (née Cavendish; Bess's daughter), countess of Lennox; and an upcoming visit to Chatsworth.

Bess's husband George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, and describes how he and Bess have received alarming news (in a letter which is enclosed) that the king of Scotland (James VI) and his court are 'determined altogether to defeat our little Arbella of her right to the earldom of Lennox'. He and Bess hope for Leicester’s influence on queen Elizabeth I in this matter. The letter is written in Shrewsbury's own hand but signed by both he and Bess (countess of Shrewsbury).

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, thanking him for his friendship and describing the accommodation arranged for her at court by Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester. In a postscript she notes that she has not yet moved any suit to the queen.

Gilbert Talbot writes to his father, George (sixth earl of Shrewsbury) and his stepmother and mother-in-law, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), reporting that Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, 'has written unto your lordship such news as is stirring, for my self I know none, but such as are common'. Nonetheless, he writes at length on news from the court: the visit of Johann Casimir and gifts given to him; about the queen's 'good usage of Monseiur Simier [Jean de Simier] and all his company'; 'of queen mother her coming into England'; an unresolved matter between the earl of Rutland and Master Markham; and various other news. The letter is also signed by Gilbert's wife, Mary (née Cavendish; Bess's daughter).

Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) to express his being 'deeply indebted for your many bounties'.

Using a scribe to write due to pain in his hand, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), acknowledging receipt of her last letter, but postponing an answer until he can write himself. He returns a letter from the earl of Leicester and asks Bess to reply to the latter on his behalf.

Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, assures Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) that the queen is mindful of her 'cause' (related to discord with her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury). Dudley includes a description of 'the order she [the queen, as mediator] hath set down' with Bess's husband regarding the family lands and rents.

Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, writes to let Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) know that the queen thinks her and her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury's servant Marvin should be removed from their household because of his suspicious behaviour. Note: A reply to this letter (also a copy), by Bess's husband, exists adjacently in the same manuscript volume.