The papers in this group largely relate to the legal arrangements to be settled between the 4th Earl of Devonshire and Rachel, Lady Russell before the marriage of Lady Rachel Russell to the 4th Earl of Devonshire (later 1st Duke)'s son and heir William Cavendish in 1688.
The group also includes a copy of the 1st Duke's will (CS1/18/14) and other deeds relating to his estate.
The letters to Thomas Osbourne, Earl of Danby (CS1/18/9A and CS1/18/9B) concern the arrival of the Prince of Orange and Princess Mary in England to depose King James II. The 4th Earl was part of the group of aristocracy and gentry who invited and declared their support for William and Mary in the "Glorious Revolution" of 1688.
There are also some unrelated items such as some financial accounts of a journey in1698 (CS1/18/15); a list of pictures at Chatsworth (CS1/18/16) and the 4th Earl's summons to the Privy Council (CS1/18/0).