Browsing all 234 letters.
Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to an unidentified addressee with advice on how to write a persuasive letter to one of her sons, suggesting that 'the more earnest and plain it is the more good it will do you'.
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.
George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife and 'sweetheart', Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), thanking God for sending her to him in his 'oldest years'. He returns a letter by Elizabeth Wingfield concerning his custodianship of Mary Queen of Scots, which contains rumours 'of this queen's going from me'; and forwards a letter by John Kniveton, so she may hear the rumours 'of the young king'. Thanking her for the 'fat capon', he sends along with the letter 'a pheasant cock'.
George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), that he intends to send her horses to bring her to him, 'for I think it long until you come'. One 'Kyrkle the Receivers man' has come for rents, saying Bess called him 'knave' - George tells her, 'I paid the knave your rent'. There is an outbreak of measles in the house and his 'colic is grievous'.
Bess, countess of Shrewsbury, writes a short message to Gilbert Curle, servant to Mary Queen of Scots, asking him to pass on her letter to the Scots Queen (ID 244) 'with that speed you may'.
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.
Hugh Fitzwilliam writes to ask Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) what her wishes are regarding a secret meeting between 'two parties'; also sending various news items, including how the 'queen mother is sick and in a frenzy' on account of her son the king of Poland's imprisonment, peace in Scotland and uproar in Ireland.
Gilbert Talbot writes to his stepmother and mother-in-law, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), with news from the court: how 'the queen stirs little abroad', of a 'proclamation of apparel' and a rumour he has heard that his father, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury (Bess's husband), is sick again, which has caused Gilbert to be 'somewhat troubled'. He sends 'hearty commendations' from Lady Frances Cobham, who thinks Bess her 'dearest friend'.
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.
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.
George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), addressing her requests for 'iron [from] my smithies' and 'oats for seed'. Also relates how 'this lady [presumably Mary Queen of Scots] has been sick since you went'. He too has been ill as 'I have been too bold with herring which has made me sick all night'.
George Talbot, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, sends news to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), regarding the health of 'this lady' (probably Mary Queen of Scots) and mentions others' health as reported in a letter from Elizabeth (née Cavendish), countess of Lennox. He advises that the latter be advised to eat fruit, 'which she loves well' (probably in reference to her pregnancy with Arbella Stuart at the time).
George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), regarding various deliveries of goods and money. Their young grandson George ('george your boy'; George Talbot, February 1575 - August 1577, son of Gilbert and Mary Talbot) is well; however, the earl himself ('old george') is 'not well in his stomach'.
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.
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.
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'.
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.
Gilbert Talbot writes to his stepmother and mother-in-law, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), with news of the earl and (his sister Katherine) countess of Pembroke's recent trip to Antwerp in a ship lent to them by the queen. His father (Bess's husband), the sixth earl of Shrewsbury, is 'in exceeding cholor of slight occasion' and Gilbert is troubled that 'he speaks nothing of my going to house', for 'I rather wish myself a ploughman than here [i.e. in Sheffield] to continue'. He sends wishes for Bess's good health on the behalf of himself, his wife, Mary (Bess's daughter), and their son, 'your ladyship's pretty fellow'.