Sir George Pierrepont writes to Bess (Lady St. Loe) thanking her and her husband, William St. Loe, for the 'great pains taken with me at Holme'; further thanking Bess for her support in a suit of his; and expressing the desirability of a match between Bess's daughter Frances and his son Henry.

Sir George Pierrepont writes to thank Bess (Lady St. Loe) for wine received from her husband, William St. Loe, and for the 'bountious goodness' shown unto his son Henry at London. He apologises that he is not able to travel to Chatsworth due to illness but reiterates his liking for the match between his son Henry and Bess's daughter Frances. Adds some suggestions for arranging the marriage settlement.

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.

An unidentified author writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), apologising for a delayed response to her letters due firstly to sickness and then the recent visit of Jean de Simier to the English court. The writer fears that a letter forwarded from 'my cousin Sidney' has not reached Bess and has therefore sent her another copy. Also, Bess's son, 'master Cavendish', has not been seen since her last departure, but the writer would wish him there now in order to introduce him to 'my cousin' for a potential match.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes a letter to her stepson and son-in-law, Gilbert Talbot, her son William Cavendish and one 'master Clarke', touching their 'petition for the further increase' of her youngest son Charles Cavendish's living allowance, and negotiations with Sir Thomas Kitson regarding the marriage of Charles and Kitson's daughter Margaret. Bess encloses another letter which Gilbert is to show to Sir Thomas Cornwallis.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her stepson and son-in-law, Gilbert Talbot, her son William Cavendish and one 'Master Clarke', regarding arrangement of a marriage between her youngest son Charles Cavendish and Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas Kitson; asking him to thank Sir Thomas Cornwallis for his dealings in the matter; and hoping that the marriage will be 'dispatched before Lent so the enemy will be prevented from working damage'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Lord Thomas Paget to request his help in dealings to do with the settlement of lands on her son Charles Cavendish, following his marriage to Margaret Kitson.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Thomas Cornwallis following the death of Margaret Cavendish (née Kitson), wife of Bess's son Charles Cavendish, asking him to use his influence with Sir Thomas Kitson (Cornwallis's son-in-law) to ensure that Charles is treated 'as much to his commodity as that by her life might have come to him'. A postscript by Bess instructs, 'Good Jewel I pray you take pains to write out this too with your own hand'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Thomas Cornwallis, thanking him for 'finishing and perfecting of the books between my brother Sir Thomas Kitson and me' (in relation to marriage arrangements between Bess's son, Charles Cavendish, and Kitson's daughter, Margaret).

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.

William Cecil, Lord Burghley, writes to Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury), commending the marriage between Bess's granddaughter, 'Mistress Pierrepont', and George Manners. He also advises her to 'visit your friends and children, and not live so solitary as it seems you do there in Chatsworth amongst hills and rocks of stones'. This letter is a copy sent from Bess, via her son William Cavendish, to John Manners. William writes that once Manners has perused the copy, Bess desires him to 'return it again'.

Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Lady Kitson regarding covenants drawn up to do with 'assurances of land' upon the marriage (in 1582) of her son, Charles Cavendish, and his now deceased wife, Margaret (Lady Kitson's daughter). Bess requests Lady Kitson 'to look up the said obligation and articles and to deliver them to this bearer' as there is now need of them.

Charles Cavendish reports to his mother, Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury), on a visit he and his brother William Cavendish paid to Mistress Dales regarding a marriage arrangement for the latter's daughter (the man in question is not specified). William bought a jewel for the daughter and presented it in Bess's name; however, it was refused as both the mother and father wish Bess to come to them herself before they proceed. Furthermore, Mistress Dales thinks Bess ought to approach the queen for her consent of the match, as Bess is 'fittest and best able to attain it soonest'.

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.

Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Elizabeth I concerning her increasingly strained relationship with her grand-daughter, Arbella Stuart, 'for the bad persuasions of some have so estranged her mind and natural affection from me that she holds me the greatest enemy she has'. Bess considers a marriage the best option to deal with Arbella, writing that 'I should have little care how meanly soever she were bestowed, so as it were not offensive to your Highness'.

George Clifford, earl of Cumberland, writes to Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) with apologies for his long silence, which he explains was brought on by preparations for the king's visit. The bearer shall deliver more information about negotiations regarding his daughter as well as 'a further suit I am forced to make to you'.