Gilbert Talbot writes to his stepmother and mother-in-law, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), with apologies for his blunt style in reporting conversations he has had with his father (Bess's husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury) regarding herself - Gilbert acting as an intermediary between the two during a period of marital discord. A postscript advises about certain Scottish sellers of linen who carry letters of importance for Mary Queen of Scots.

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.

Gilbert Talbot writes a long letter to his stepmother and mother-in-law, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), relating various news, mostly to do with conversations between himself, his father (Bess's husband), George (sixth earl of Shrewsbury), and the earl of Rutland at Worksop. Rutland has invited Gilbert to come to see him in Newark, but Gilbert wonders whether Bess thinks the queen would approve, 'considering what speeches she used to me of him'. The letter is also signed by Gilbert's wife, Mary (née Cavendish; Bess's daughter).

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Francis Walsingham to 'unfold my strange miseries' (to do with marital discord with her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury) and to know 'what her Majesty is determined in this case'; asking for permission to let her sons 'seek their living in some other place'; and stating that she herself hopes to 'find some friend for meat and drink and so end my life'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, asking him to write to her husband George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, in the hopes that he may persuade 'my lord for my better usage', as George now threatens to take Chatsworth and claim rent on lands given to her sons over a decade ago. She writes that 'I would I had not lived to this day to have my husband at these hard terms with me'.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), amidst their marital feuding, claiming that the 'show of dutifulness and humility' expressed in her last letter is actually 'a siren's song', accusing her of the 'overthrow and spoil' of his goods and his and her own children through 'unnatural means and malice'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, amidst marital discord, beseeching him to 'give me liberty to come unto you', and claiming 'how I haue deserved your indignation is invisible to me'.

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.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, three years into her dispute over lands and money with her husband George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury. She is adamant to 'make a final end between my lord, me and my children of such wrongs as is done to us'. Although George had promised the queen that he would 'send often' for Bess, she has found that he 'will not suffer me to come to him'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, amidst their prolonged discord, assuring him that she has been a good and faithful wife to him and recounting the ways in which he has wronged her. She finds herself in debt because he has sent her away, and hopes to live with him again, 'as we ought'.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes an angry letter to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), amidst their marital discord, with accusations that 'there cannot be any wife more forgetful of her duty & less careful to please her husband than you have been'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Francis Walsingham amidst trouble with her husband George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury; chiefly regarding his 'breach of her Majesty's order' and the ill conduct of George's bailiff, Copley, whom Bess asks not be allowed 'to go down until my Lord Treasurer and you may examine of both sides my Lord's [her husband's] dealings'.

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'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, informing him that 'I have not attended on your lordship at this time proceeding only out of a great fear of your lordship's wrath & heavy displeasure conceived against me'. She would rather suffer 'dispossession of any earthly benefits' than continue to be chastised with the 'extreme rigour of words'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, referring to the 'miseries' and lack of true friends that have followed her estrangement from her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury; asking Burghley to 'give me leave by your favourable acceptance to put my whole trust and hope in your lordship for the restoring of the oppressed estate of me and mine'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, regarding offences he has accused her of having 'committed since her Majesty reconciled us'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, thanking him for a letter which has provided her with great comfort - she was afraid that having left so early in the morning as he did would have caused him pain in his hands and legs. She looks forward to their next meeting and (in a postscript) asks him to bear with her 'bleating' (i.e. prattling) as she has not written much of late under her own hand, and 'could not now forbear'. Although undated, this letter is almost certainly from the period in which Bess and Shrewsbury were at court in April 1587, being 'reconciled' by the queen. The queen's resulting commandments were favourable for Bess, but Shrewsbury remained bitter (which is perhaps why he left Chelsea without her).

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, thanking him for his support in the dispute with her husband (George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury) and for a letter sent to her via her son, William Cavendish. Since George has neglected her and withdrawn all his provisions, Bess asks Burghley to once again act on her behalf so that 'my long delayed matters may now receive end'.

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, following the death of her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury. She hopes that all quarrel in her family has died with George, and thanks Burghley for the favour he has shown her.