William Mouslo, a servant, writes to Bess (Lady St. Loe) to inform her that her friend Lady Frances Cobham has delivered a son; gives details of the christening; and suggestions for a pair of gowns to be prepared for Bess's husband, William St. Loe, for Christmas.

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).

James Hardwick writes to his sister, Bess (Lady St. Loe), excusing himself for not coming to see her in person due to a painful 'cough of the lungs'; and asks her for money, offering to pay it back with interest.

Bess (Lady St. Loe) writes to Henry Babington of Dethick (Derbyshire) concerning lands, postponing a meeting on Babington's holdings until she receives further information regarding the lands' values. Babington forwards the letter (adding a postscript and second superscription) to one Alexander White and gives further instructions to fulfil Bess's requests.

James Crompe, a servant, writes to Bess (Lady St. Loe) regarding the education of her sons, the selling of sheep, and some previous letters passed between them.

Edward Foxe, a servant, writes to Bess (Lady St. Loe) in response to a letter from her, refuting accusations that he is frequently absent and negligent in his work. In particular, he relates details of his diligence in looking after the rabbit warrens and protecting them from local dogs.

James Crompe, a servant, writes to Bess (Lady St. Loe) to confirm receipt of various books sent to him and to inform her of building works at Chatsworth, as well as other domestic matters.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir John Thynne, informing him that she has been unsuccessful in convincing her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, to grant Thynne's suit.

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.

Bess, countess of Shrewsbury, writes to Matthew Parker, archbishop of Canterbury, in support of 'preferring one Martin Nelson to the vicarage of Catterick in Richmondshire'. She is informed he has 'good zeal to religion and towardness in learning'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to one Henry Foljambe, concerning a recently widowed woman, Elizabeth Flint, who has asked that her brother Roland, currently in Bess's employment, be sent to her for 'urgent cause to employ him otherwise'. Bess asks Foljambe to favour the woman's cause.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), to let her know of his safe arrival at Wingfield. He forwards letters from his son Gilbert Talbot, and hopes to be with Bess at Chatsworth the next day.

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.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes briefly from Wingfield to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), to let her know of his health and that 'I will not suffer the gout to settle himself in me'.

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.

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.

Henry Cavendish writes to his mother, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), regrettably reporting a squabble between some of his servants which has resulted in a sword duel and the death of one of them. Bess forwards the letter to her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, expressing her own sentiments in a postscript to him (and asking that he 'return this').

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.