Bess, countess of Shrewsbury, writes a somewhat cryptic letter to Mary Queen of Scots, to do with 'your little poor creature' and other letters, which Bess has also sent. For the accompanying letter to Mary's servant, Gilbert Curle, see ID 243.

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 her daughter Mary Talbot (née Cavendish), mentioning recent visitors, and asking Mary to send news that she and her husband, Gilbert Talbot, are well, 'else I shall not sleep quietly'. She reports that her grand-daughters Arbella (Stuart) and Mary (also Talbot) are both well.

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 (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'.

Elizabeth Wingfield writes to her half-sister, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), that she has consulted with Lady Frances Cobham (lady of the bedchamber to Elizabeth I), who does not advise 'giving money' (presumably as a gift to the queen). Bess's grand-daughter, Arbella Stuart, is well and a tailor has been sent for to make her a new green velvet gown. Lady Cheke has 'had long talk with her Majesty lately of my Lord's [i.e. Bess's husband, George's] hard dealing and the queen gave many good words what she would do for your honour'.

A twelve-year-old Arbella Stuart sends her grandmother, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), strands of her hair and a pot of jelly, along with news of her health and that of another of Bess's grand-daughters, Mary (Talbot), who has had 'three little fits of an ague' but is now well.

Nicholas Kynnersley, a servant, writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) with report of a lackey from Sheffield coming late at night to ask after Bess's whereabouts. He suspects the reason is 'to bring my lord [Bess's then estranged husband George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury] word of your absence here 'so that he may come uppon the sudden and find you away'. Arbella (Stuart), Bess's grand-daughter, eats well but has not been to school for six days.

Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, in reply to his letter about rumoured plans to abduct Bess and her grand-daughter, Arbella Stuart. Bess assures him that she will protect Arbella to the best of her ability. She also tells him about one of Arbella's attendants, Morley, who she has dismissed due to his suspicious behaviour. The letter was penned by her son, William Cavendish, because her head hurts; however, no one else knows of the matter.

William Cavendish writes to his mother, Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury), about 'Basford's matter'; a visit to the Master of the Pells, who is ill; and Lady Arbella (Stuart), Bess's grand-daughter, being at Edmonton.

Lady Dorothy Stafford reports that she has presented Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) and her grand-daughter, Arbella Stuart's new year's gifts to the queen. The queen has said she will 'be careful' of (i.e. act favourably for) Arbella and has sent her a token, albeit not as 'good as her Ladyship deserveth'. Lady Stafford asks Bess to keep the contents of the letter secret.

Sir John Stanhope and Sir Robert Cecil write to Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) by commandment of the queen, regarding Bess's granddaughter Arbella Stuart - namely to do with how 'some base companions (thinking it pleasing to her youth and sex) to be sought in marriage, were content to abuse her with a device that the earl of Hertford had a purpose to match his grandchild with her'. They assure her that Hertford had no such intention and request Bess to assign some members of her household to keep a close, however discreet, watch over Arbella. As for Bess's request to be 'freed of her', the queen can think of no other fit place for Arbella.

Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Elizabeth I concerning her granddaughter, Arbella Stuart's troublesome conduct. Bess asks that Arbella 'may be placed elsewhere, to learn to be more considerate', either employed as an attendant to the queen or given to someone in marriage.