Browsing all 185 letters with images.
Francis Leake writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) concerning his acquisition of land from the earl of Leicester and related title disputes.
Bess's husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, expressing his trust in Burghley's good influence with the queen to show goodwill towards Bess's daughter Elizabeth, countess of Lennox, and grand-daughter, Arbella Stuart. He proposes to send lead for Burghley's building projects by midsummer. Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) adds a postscript, thanking Burghley for another instance where he spoke to the queen on Bess's daughter, Elizabeth's behalf.
Gilbert Talbot writes to George (his father) and Bess (his stepmother and mother-in-law), earl and countess of Shrewsbury, reporting his recent dealings with Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester - to do with 'a packet' from George; Dudley's petitioning the queen on behalf of Elizabeth (née Cavendish; Bess's daughter), countess of Lennox; and an upcoming visit to Chatsworth.
Bess's husband George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, and describes how he and Bess have received alarming news (in a letter which is enclosed) that the king of Scotland (James VI) and his court are 'determined altogether to defeat our little Arbella of her right to the earldom of Lennox'. He and Bess hope for Leicester’s influence on queen Elizabeth I in this matter. The letter is written in Shrewsbury's own hand but signed by both he and Bess (countess of Shrewsbury).
Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, about her forthcoming visit to court; also thanking him for goodness shown towards her daughter Elizabeth, countess of Lennox, and grand-daughter Arbella Stuart.
Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, thanking him for his friendship and describing the accommodation arranged for her at court by Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester. In a postscript she notes that she has not yet moved any suit to the queen.
Elizabeth Smyth writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), thanking her for accepting 'of part of my little one' (Bess stood as godmother to Smyth's daughter), and for a gift, 'a bowl with a cover'.
Bess's husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to Thomas Baldwin, his servant, with instructions for settling financial and business matters, including some with Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), who needs £100 for a new year's gift for the queen. In a postcript, Bess asks Baldwin for speedy payment, and that the money be given to her son, William Cavendish.
Gilbert Talbot writes to his father, George (sixth earl of Shrewsbury) and his stepmother and mother-in-law, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), reporting that Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, 'has written unto your lordship such news as is stirring, for my self I know none, but such as are common'. Nonetheless, he writes at length on news from the court: the visit of Johann Casimir and gifts given to him; about the queen's 'good usage of Monseiur Simier [Jean de Simier] and all his company'; 'of queen mother her coming into England'; an unresolved matter between the earl of Rutland and Master Markham; and various other news. The letter is also signed by Gilbert's wife, Mary (née Cavendish; Bess's daughter).
Gilbert Talbot writes to his father, George (sixth earl of Shrewsbury), and his stepmother and mother-in-law, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), concerning the finishing of works at Shrewsbury House, namely glass and a coat of arms in the windows (commissioned by Robert Cooke, Clarenceux king of arms), which Gilbert hears will contain 'the fairest glasswork anywhere in England to be found'. He has forwarded a letter from the earl of Leicester to Bess and reports that his wife, Mary (née Cavendish; Bess's daughter), is well, although she 'stirs not out of her chamber'.
Bess's husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, concerning complaints made by tenants at Ashford (Derby) who are now bringing petitions to the court. He asks Burghley to punish 'those bad persons of Ashford who complain against my wife'. Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) adds a postscript to the same effect.
John Kniveton, a servant, writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) to confirm that he has 'delivered the venison [pies] according to your ladyship's letter'; however, some of the pies were mouldy and 'not worth the giving'. He has also spoken with Master Sackford who, having heard 'evil speeches' about the earl of Shrewsbury (Bess's husband, George Talbot) in court from tenant 'inhabitants about the forest', plainly told Kniveton how 'hateful a thing it was before God and men to distress the poor'.
Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her daughter Mary Talbot (née Cavendish), mentioning recent visitors, and asking Mary to send news that she and her husband, Gilbert Talbot, are well, 'else I shall not sleep quietly'. She reports that her grand-daughters Arbella (Stuart) and Mary (also Talbot) are both well.
Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her daughter, Mary Talbot (née Cavendish), with news that 'my sister Snow is dispatched from the court and gone into the country'; and that her own bodily pains (which she thinks are made worse by 'moist weather') are somewhat better now.
Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Thomas Baldwin, her husband's servant, reprimanding him for not ensuring that her son Henry Cavendish 'subscribe the writing as was my lord's pleasure'. He is to secure the signature by dedimus potestatis, otherwise Henry is to come to London. The letter has three postscripts, two by Bess's husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury (one to do with the dedimus potestatis, the other asking Baldwin to send ginger in syrup), and one by Bess.
Bess's husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his servant, Thomas Baldwin, with instructions to buy him a Spanish leather jerkin and to have his cloak mended. He will leave other matters to their meeting in Whitsun week. In a postscript, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) describes how she opened the letter by mistake, thinking it for her. She also asks after her daughter, Frances Pierrepont (née Cavendish).
George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), in reply to a letter in which she has asked him to 'send up again', which he fears will not be permitted by the queen (Elizabeth I). He will send the wine she has requested and some of the money. He also expresses his best wishes for 'the great belly', i.e. Bess's pregnant daughter Mary Talbot (née Cavendish), and suggests that they do Elizabeth (née Cavendish), countess of Lennox, wrong by not having her at Chatsworth for her sister Mary's delivery.
Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) to express his being 'deeply indebted for your many bounties'.
George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), touching her recent illness, advising her that 'sweating is the surest remedy'; and thanking her for asking after his hand, which is now much better. He also describes 'foolish letters' he has intercepted from one Bagshaw, and relates details of a spy network acting within their household(s), advising Bess to take further action.
Using a scribe to write due to pain in his hand, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), acknowledging receipt of her last letter, but postponing an answer until he can write himself. He returns a letter from the earl of Leicester and asks Bess to reply to the latter on his behalf.