Bess (Lady Cavendish) writes to her servant Francis Whitfield concerning the management of Chatsworth, and asks him to look after everything until her aunt (Marcella Linacre) arrives. Among her instructions to Whitfield are that he is to take only wooden 'cleats or boards' not needed for the ongoing building works at Chatsworth; to brew beer, especifically for her and her husband William Cavendish; to repair her bedroom; and to pay her midwife. She also reprimands him for not supplying her sister Jane (née Hardwick) with 'things needful for her'.

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.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes an affectionate letter from court to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), with various news: acknowledging receipt of her letter and mapping his movements; reports uncertainty about the situation with Mary Queen of Scots, then (in a postscript) that the latter will come to Tutbury to his charge; and on suits of 'leases in reversion' against which he is defending his lands. Lord (John) Sheffield is dead and Lord (Henry) Paget is soon to follow.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, complaining about the delayed delivery of his latest letters concerning the imminent arrival of Mary Queen of Scots at Tutbury Castle.

Hugh Fitzwilliam writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) with news he has heard second-hand, as he himself has seen little of note. He writes about Bess's husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, who is now the custodian of Mary Queen of Scots; a Dutch ambassador to the duke of Alba; the duke of Alba's army; an allegiance between the kings of Sweden and Denmark; France and the 'house of Guise'; and other political news from around Europe.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her husband George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, letting him know that the wine he sent is no good, suggesting they get someone else to buy it before it is undrinkable. She also discusses details regarding several servants of their household.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), thanking her for her letters, which he likes so well 'they could not be amended' and he has forwarded them to his son Gilbert (Talbot). He mentions a recent letter containing sensitive information, which he burned according to her instructions. He also describes a conversation with 'this lady' (presumably Mary Queen of Scots) concerning the sending of letters.

Richard Cavendish writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), asking her to take his niece into her service.

Hugh Fitzwilliam writes an account of current news to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), covering politics and conflicts across Europe. He also writes of England and the court, chiefly to do with Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots and the Northern Rebellion.

Hugh Fitzwilliam writes a long letter to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), sending her the 'articles of peace concluded and proclaimed' in France, in French; and reporting in some detail the treason trials in Norfolk, as well as the earl of Leicester's furnishing Kenilworth with 'armour, ammunition and all necessaries for defence'. The writer also reports on military movements of 'the Turk' in Cyprus and Venice.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), asking her for advice regarding the appointment of one Anthony Barlow as a pursuivant. He also asks her to keep her promise to be with him 'within a fortnight at the furthest', and therefore to let him know when to send her horses.

Alexander Gordon, bishop of Galloway, writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) regarding the removal of Mary Queen of Scots' chaplain and the allowing of Gordon's eldest son to remain in Mary's presence. He has spoken of the matter with Bess's husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, but writes for her approval as 'I will have all things concerning me obtained by your Ladyship's procurement'.

Hugh Fitzwilliam writes a long letter of news to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), including an account of events surrounding the discovery of the Ridolfi Plot: conjecture on why 'the duke [of Norfolk]' has been imprisoned in the Tower - namely to do with intercepted letters and gold meant for Scottish lords in support of Mary Queen of Scots; the discovery of letters and a cipher at Norfolk's household; and details regarding the examination and torture of those involved. Additionally, he writes of news from abroad (including harm done by 'the Turk'), and Elizabeth I's attendance at the marriage of William Cecil's daughter, Anne, to Edward de Vere, seventeenth earl of Oxford.

William Cecil, Lord Burghley, writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) to report that one 'Hersey Lassels' has been implicated in dealings with Mary Queen of Scots and claims to have been doing so with Bess's knowledge. Cecil asks Bess 'to let me understand the truth of such matter'.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), and confirms receipt of 'the letter of your girl's hand' (that is, penned by a female servant of Bess's) that sets out her requests for supplies. Shrewsbury lists the various goods he sends in response: a book, a dozen pigeons, plate (basins, ewers and trenchers), a biliment (that is, a kind of French hood or head-dress worn by women, often richly elaborate) which cost twenty-one pounds, pheasant poults or chicks, venison pasties, beer, ale, boxes of comfits (that is, preserved sweets such as sugar-plums or sugared almonds), lemons and oranges.

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.

Gilbert Talbot writes to his stepmother and mother-in-law, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), but does not know what to say without repeating news in a letter already written to his father (and Bess's husband), George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, which was intended for the both of them. He writes about his sister Katherine (née Talbot), countess of Pembroke's recovery from illness; trouble with tenants, 'those lewd fellows of the Peak'; and rumours that Sir Jerome's (Bowes?) brothers, Edward and Ralph, are not in France as claimed, but still in England.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), regarding the Peak's men's 'clamorous speeches' and a potential meeting with them. On a second page, he writes 'I write this because you may send my letter to them to see how little I account of their complaints'. In a postscript to the latter section, he explains that he will provide 'some place' for his son, Gilbert Talbot and the latter's wife, Mary (née Cavendish; Bess's daughter), but seeks Bess's advice in the matter. He also describes an episode in which Bess's son Charles Cavendish, along with some servants, went stealing out into the country at night, and asks her to advise him against such behaviour.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), about the offal (edible animal parts) he sends her weekly and conflicts between their building works due to scarcity of workmen, which she tends to keep for herself. He also welcomes her son (which son is not specified) and his wife's upcoming visit, and asks her to take orders for linens which are currently missing in the house.