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:

Original poster

mambojambodothetango · Yesterday 08:22

TheBookShelf · 16/10/2026 10:49

I don't think a complete Mantlemass family tree exists online, though from various articles about Barbara Willard online it would be possible to construct one, at least in outline.

In 1975, a partial family tree was published as a looseleaf giveaway with a literary journal the Children's Books Review, accompanying an article. This tree was incomplete as four of the nine books in the series hadn't yet been published, but it's a beautifully illustrated (and now rare) collector's item that does cover the main family connections. It is too large to photograph I'm afraid but if anyone on the thread has specific questions about who is related to who in the series, I'll happily have a look at my copy of it for answers.

Show quote history

Thanks. I'll bear this in mind if I get lost further on. I'm ok for now as long as I stick to the chronological sequence.

OP posts:

Original poster

mambojambodothetango · Yesterday 08:24

Catterthun · 16/10/2026 20:23

If you message me with your details, I'll post you the book.

Show quote history

I don't actually know how to do this! Do I need a premium account?

OP posts:

Catterthun · Yesterday 16:43

mambojambodothetango · Yesterday 08:24

I don't actually know how to do this! Do I need a premium account?

Show quote history

I don't have a premium account either, but messaging seems to work, so you should be ok to do it.

At the top right-hand corner of this post from me, there should be three little dots. If you click on them, you'll get a list of options. Choose "PM" and you'll be able to create a message.

When you get a message, it shows up next to the account icon at the top right of the Mumsnet screen. I think there'll be a number 1 or an exclamation mark or something to click on. ( It's a while since I've used the messaging, so can't quite remember, but there will be something there to signal it.)

I've created a test message to you, so there will be something to see there, and you can reply to the message.

Flip

1 2