Manuscript news sheets sent from London to members of the Pole family, which include reporting on trials, weather, natural disasters, marriages, deaths and illnesses, foreign news (from Ireland and Scotland, Europe, the Americas, Turkey and Morocco), parliamentary decisions and military campaigns. For example, letters recount both the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk's divorce in 1692 and the seige of Cuneo in 1691.

Most news sheets are addressed to Madam Pole with a few addressed to German Pole, Anne (or Ann) Pole and Samuel Pole. Sometimes surname is spelled Pool or Poole. All sent to Radbourn (or Radbourne or Radburn or Radburne) near Derby except where indicated. Most items include wax seal.