Mary Percy, widow of Henry, sixth earl of Northumberland, writes to Bess (Lady Cavendish) about land and cattle disputes involving the letter bearer and one of Bess's servants.

Bess (Lady St. Loe) writes to Sir John Thynne, builder of Longleat, and his first wife Christian (née Gresham), asking them to spare her 'your plasterer' the one who 'flowered your hall' (that is, decorated with ornate plaster-mould cornicing, decked flowers). Bess requests that either he be sent directly to her in London, or that he report to James Crompe at Chatsworth.

Margaret St. Loe writes to her daughter-in-law, Bess (Lady St. Loe), regarding Margaret's son Edward's plot to poison Bess and Bess's husband, William St. Loe. Included is a detailed report of a conversation on this subject had between Margaret and an unnamed woman who came to visit her a month or more ago.

Lady Frances Cobham writes to tell Bess (Lady St. Loe) about the expected delivery of her child. She sends sewing materials: a 'bassted' sleeve (that is, tacked to the right width) and material for a 'caylle' (that is, a caul, a kind of netted cap or head-dress worn by women) following a recent courtly fashion.

Elizabeth Leake asks her daughter, Bess (Lady St. Loe), to lend her son (Bess's brother, James Hardwick) money for the acquisition of land and thanks Bess for kindness shown towards her half-sister, Margaret (née Leche).

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.

A later (nineteenth-century) copy of a letter from Mary Queen of Scots to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), in which Mary relates details of plots against her, asking Bess to send a commission.

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.

Elizabeth Cavendish (later countess of Lennox) writes to her mother, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), to thank her for lending her a litter for a journey.

Frances Pierrepont (née Cavendish) writes to her mother, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), with New Year's wishes, enclosing linen and a drinking glass as gifts.

Katherine, countess of Pembroke, writes to her mother-in-law, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), to ask her to persuade her father (Bess's husband), George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, to allow her sister, Mary Talbot, to accompany her on a summer trip to Wales.

Anne Talbot (née Herbert) writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) apologising for not writing sooner. Her 'sister of Pembroke' has been very ill, but is now recovering. The queen has come to visit her sister twice - both times late at night. On one occasion the queen didn't leave until 10 o'clock at night because 'the barges and boats that waited of her lost their ways, and landed in wrong places' due to a great mist.

Anne Talbot (née Herbert) writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) that she has little news to report due to her infrequent visits to court. She promises to write 'after my old accustomed manner' and expresses fears that 'my sister of Pembroke's good delivery [. . .] will not fall out so well as I could wish'.

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.

Richard Cavendish writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), entreating her to ask her husband George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, for the use of his house at Coldharbour for Lady Mary Sidney (née Dudley). The latter adds a postscript of her own, reiterating the request. Bess forwards the letter to her husband, detailing conditions he might set for such a loan.

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.

Elizabeth (née Cavendish), countess of Lennox, writes to her mother, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), that 'I have not so evil deserved as your ladyship has made show', and asks that Bess 'esteem lightly' of such 'false bruits as your ladyship has heard reported of me'.

Gilbert Talbot writes to his stepmother and mother-in-law, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), with news about his father and Bess's husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury's movements. He also reports conversations between he and his father, mostly to do with Bess. Gilbert has told his father that Bess thinks he (George) is better pleased with her absence than with her presence - an allegation that the earl denies. The letter is also signed by Gilbert's wife, Mary (née Cavendish; Bess's daughter), and the postscript concerns Gilbert and Mary's son George, who asks adamantly after Bess, his grandmother.

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]'.