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Original poster

Mantlemass series by Barbara Willard

28 replies

mambojambodothetango · 12/10/2026 09:16

Has anyone else read these? Written in the 1970s and aimed at teens I think. I'm hooked. The descriptions of rural life in the 16th and 17th centuries with political events in the background and exciting plots involving very well-drawn characters. Family dynamics, the turning of year, changes in the seasons, beautiful descriptions of nature.

I am sourcing them second hand when I spot them online. However I can't find the next one in the sequence (The Eldest Son) for less than £30!! I tried jumping ahead but the generations had moved on and I didn't know who anyone was.

Anyone else read them?

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 12/10/2026 10:53

Love them, and have all of them signed by her - my grandmother was the family maid to Barbara Willards family and they were about the same age. She used to send each book to her, and A Country Maid (not part of the Mantlemass series) came with a lovely letter about how the book is based on nana

JoanOgden · 12/10/2026 10:52

Yes I love them so much!

Be warned that The Eldest Son, when you find it, is pretty sad... as are most of the later ones, really.

Gremlinsateit · 12/10/2026 10:30

I absolutely love these books! The first two (The Lark and the Laurel, A Sprig of Broom) are my favourites. I read those, The Iron Lily and A Cold Wind Blowing in primary school/early high school and finally finished reading most of the set (ebooks) a few years ago.