William St. Loe writes to his wife, Bess (Lady St. Loe), from Windsor asking after her well-being, as he has not heard from her for some time. Relates news of her friends at court; and how he gave his horse to the queen when she desired it of him. Also, the almoner (of Eton) has said that 'no gentleman's children in England shall be better welcome or better looked unto than our boys'.

William St. Loe writes to his wife, Bess (Lady St. Loe), from London, complaining of the cost of staying at court; asks her to send towels and other things; advises her on the use of horses at Chatsworth; and describes how the queen has complained about his previous absence from court. He mentions an 'extreme pain in my teeth'.

Elizabeth Wingfield writes to her half-sister, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), to confirm that her husband (Anthony Wingfield) has delivered Bess's venison to the queen and spoke with her for 'a long hour', during which time the queen expressed her 'love and affection' for Bess and her husband George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury. The queen is looking forward to seeing Bess. On the overleaf, in Bess's hand, there is a list of noblewomen and noblemen.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), thanking her for her letter, and for venison and puddings she sent. He describes a conversation he had with the queen (Elizabeth I), in which she hinted at her trust in him, which he suspects to be connected with Mary Queen of Scots (for whom custodianship has yet to be determined). He hopes to be with Bess, his 'greatest joy', for Christmas. The plague rages in London and the queen therefore intends not to go to Greenwich for Christmas as was previously planned. Lady Frances Cobham wishes Bess were there. He's been up late playing cards in the Privy Chamber. In a postscript, he asks Bess to tell his daughter Mary to write to him.

Elizabeth Wingfield writes to her half-sister, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), describing how well the queen liked the garments sent by Bess and her husband George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, and how it 'has caused her to give out such good speeches of my lord and your ladyship as I never heard of'. A postscript reports that all are well at Hackney.

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.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Queen Elizabeth I, thanking her for the 'most especial and gracious goodness to grant unto my poor daughter [Elizabeth] Lennox the custody of her child [Arbella Stuart]'.

Bess's husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, expressing his trust in Burghley's good influence with the queen to show goodwill towards Bess's daughter Elizabeth, countess of Lennox, and grand-daughter, Arbella Stuart. He proposes to send lead for Burghley's building projects by midsummer. Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) adds a postscript, thanking Burghley for another instance where he spoke to the queen on Bess's daughter, Elizabeth's behalf.

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, about her forthcoming visit to court; also thanking him for goodness shown towards her daughter Elizabeth, countess of Lennox, and grand-daughter Arbella Stuart.

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.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Francis Walsingham, assuring him of her loyalty towards him and the queen. She reports that her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, has pronounced articles sent to Mary Queen of Scots, who has grown 'lean and sickly'. Mary will write her own answer to the accusations, but Bess cautions that whatever Mary says 'in excuse of her self I hope there will be advised considerations in believing her'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Francis Walsingham following the death of her daughter Elizabeth Stuart (née Cavendish), asking him to petition the queen so that the portion (of money) previously given to Elizabeth and her daughter Arbella will now go to the latter, 'for her better education and training up in all good virtue and learning'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, following the death of her daughter Elizabeth Stuart (née Cavendish). She asks Burghley to 'recommend' her suit to the queen that the portion of money previously bestowed on Elizabeth will now go to the latter's daughter, Bess's granddaughter, Arbella Stuart. She also requests that Burghley 'give my son William Cavendish leave to attend on your lordship about this matter'.

Bess's husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his servant, Thomas Baldwin, to do with various matters, including arrearages for greyhounds, a proposed list of commissioners for Wollaton (Nottinghamshire), and instructions for payments to Lady Monteagle. He asks Baldwin to 'commend me to my boys' and give each of them £10 'by my wife's request'. Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) adds, 'I pray God to bless them both'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Francis Walsingham, concerning her orphaned grand-daughter, Arbella Stuart's financial welfare, reiterating her suit to the queen that the annual £400 previously granted to Arbella's mother (Elizabeth, countess of Lennox) now go to her, in addition to £200 for 'her maintenance during her minority'. Letter ID 146 is a contemporary copy of this.

Contemporary, sixteenth-century copy of letter ID 145. Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Francis Walsingham, concerning her orphaned grand-daughter, Arbella Stuart's financial welfare, reiterating her suit to the queen that the annual £400 previously granted to Arbella's mother (Elizabeth, countess of Lennox) now go to her, in addition to £200 for 'her maintenance during her minority'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Francis Walsingham regarding her nephew John Wingfield's marriage to the countess of Kent (Susan Bertie, widow of Reynold Grey de jure earl of Kent), which she has heard was not approved of by the queen.