Browsing all 185 letters with images.
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.
Elizabeth Wingfield writes to her half-sister, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), describing how well the queen liked the garments sent by Bess and her husband George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, and how it 'has caused her to give out such good speeches of my lord and your ladyship as I never heard of'. A postscript reports that all are well at Hackney.
Gilbert Talbot writes to his father, George (sixth earl of Shrewsbury), and stepmother and mother-in-law, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), reporting on 'the supplication' of the 'lewd' Peak Forest men at court and a proposed bill in parliament which states that those who do not receive communion or go to church are to 'pay yearly a certain sum of money'. He has dined with the Bishop of Canterbury and thinks that his father has a good friend in him.
Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Lord Thomas Paget regarding her servant, Robinson, who has been accused of murder. She requests Paget 'to stand his good lord', for she would 'gladly do the poor man good in this case'.
Gilbert Talbot writes to his stepmother and mother-in-law, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), that her husband (also Gilbert's father), George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, is at Wingfield and that Gilbert's wife, Mary (née Cavendish; Bess's daughter) and their children are well. Otherwise, 'all things are so well and quiet that truly I know not anything wherewith to enlarge this letter'.
Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Francis Walsingham with thanks for his 'friendly dealing towards me'. And while 'her majesty's pleasure is that the Scottish queen shall presently [go] to Buxton', she asks him to procure a warrant for the sake of her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, as 'I think my word will not satisfy his lordship'.
Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, thanking him for, and returning letters he has sent to her, saying 'they require no answer'. She asks after timber and iron, as well as money he promised her to buy oxen. The earl's son Gilbert (Talbot) has been troubled with his 'old disease' and the last batch of malt to come was 'very ill and stinking'. The lack of provision and drink makes her think he 'mind not to come'.
Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, about an upcoming visit from her daughter Elizabeth (countess of Lennox), grand-daughter Arbella Stuart and daughter-in-law Grace Cavendish (née Talbot), which she would like to postpone due to danger of 'the infection'. She also writes of arranging a timber delivery for gates and other things, and asks for Shrewsbury's help in the matter.
This is a draft letter from Elizabeth I to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) and her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury regarding their hosting of Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester (particularly to do with how much food and drink they are to allow him). For the heavily revised, final sent version of this, see Letter ID 172.
Elizabeth I writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) and her husband George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, thanking them for entertaining Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, at Chatsworth and Buxton; as well as for 'the charge commited to you both [i.e. Mary Queen of Scots]'. She writes that the debt owed them is 'as great as a sovereign can owe to a subject'. This letter is endorsed in Shrewsbury's hand as 'the dearest jewel'. For a significantly different, earlier draft version of this, see letter ID 221.
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.
Richard Topcliffe writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) about various lords and ladies, chiefly Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, who was just at Buxton and is now a little troubled with a boil on his leg. Also mentions an 'old dead suit' regarding Bess's son Charles Cavendish, which Dudley will bring 'unto a new life'.
Elizabeth (née Cavendish), countess of Lennox, writes to her mother, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), that 'I have not so evil deserved as your ladyship has made show', and asks that Bess 'esteem lightly' of such 'false bruits as your ladyship has heard reported of me'.
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.
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 to Queen Elizabeth I, thanking her for the 'most especial and gracious goodness to grant unto my poor daughter [Elizabeth] Lennox the custody of her child [Arbella Stuart]'.