My Book Reviews

In this detailed and fascinating historical fiction novel, readers follow Roberda Dartington as she manages her husband’s estate during his absence and prepares for the Spanish invasion of England through the Devon coast. As she grows more and more capable, the tenants, especially the women, trust her more and more to care for and protect them, but the inevitability of Gawen’s return threatens her position and all that she has built. Forced to choose between Clothilde and Gawen, Roberda must fight to secure her place in the world and protect her children’s inheritance in this fascinating novel of Tudor England. …

In the late 1580s, England is holding its breath: word has it that Philip of Spain is assembling a huge fleet, aiming to attack the English. Along the coasts, beacons are set up, and people fret and pray as they await the papist attack. In Dartington, uncomfortably close to the Devon coast, it is Mistress Champernowne who is doing her best to keep her people calm while overseeing the preparations to withstand—or flee—an attack. Roberda Champernowne not only has to deal with potential Spanish invasions: her life is further complicated by the very strained relationship with her husband, Gawen. Why …

I enjoy researching my family. I have been fortunate to follow a line back through the female side of the family to the Gilbert family. I wanted to read more about the family and this book brings history to life in Devon, when most books are based in London.
Thank you Rosemary for keeping factual and also winding a good story through the book.
Ann

Mistress of Dartington Hall is an engrossing read, full of tension – the Spanish, her family's fate, her estate – but also full of warmth, resourcefulness, and support from unexpected quarters. Roberda is a woman of her time, aware of her legal limitations, but not adverse to try anything she needs to keep her children, and the people of Dartington, safe.

Her husband, Gawen Champernowne, comes across as a sad, at times heartless character. He carries his insecurities like a badge, making life difficult for her, even after their reconciliation. His irresponsible, at times careless actions also lead to her …

October 31, 2025

This is the first time I read a book in this series, and I admit it took me a while to get up to speed. The author has done a good job feeding us the back story, but I’m sure I lost the emotional significance of Roberda’s terrible treatment by her husband Gawen. When he returns in this book, somewhat chastened, she rediscovers her tattered love for him and does her best to put the past behind them. She manages to fool herself despite the unforgiving comments of her dear friend and servant Clotilde: "‘It’s a fine …