ISBN: ISBN: 9781836283799
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Mistress of Dartington Hall
July 28, 20251587. England is at war with Spain. The people of Devon wait in terror for King Philip of Spain’s mighty armada to unleash untold devastation on their land.
Roberda, daughter of a French Huguenot leader, has been managing the Dartington estate in her estranged husband Gawen’s absence. She has gained the respect of the staff and tenants who now look to her to lead them through these dark times.
Gawen’s unexpected return from Ireland, where he has been serving Queen Elizabeth, throws her world into turmoil. He joins the men of the west country, including his cousin, Sir Walter Raleigh, and his friend Sir Francis Drake, as they prepare to repel a Spanish invasion. Amidst musters and alarms, determined and resourceful Roberda rallies the women of Dartington. But, after their earlier differences, can she trust Gawen? Or should she heed the advice of her faithful French maid, Clotilde?
Later Roberda will have to fight if she is to remain Mistress of Dartington Hall, and secure her children’s inheritance.
Can she ever truly find fulfilment for herself?
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Reviews
A compelling tale about a remarkable woman who defied all the odds.
Ruins and Reading
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 …
A captivating read about an impressively resilient lady!
amazon Reviewer Anna B
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 …
See moreHolding her own in a man's world
amazon reviewer
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 …
See moreLife at Dartington Hall is more dangerous than ever...
Amazon Reviewer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 July 2025
Once again Rosemary Griggs takes us to Devon in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I as the Spanish Armada prepares to attack.
At last a well-informed author looks at what women were doing to protect their homes, their children, their livelihoods and their men. It wasn't just Drake and Raleigh and a handful of Elizabethan heroes who kept England safe from the invasion.
The characterisation is compelling, albeit a lot of it by necessity fictional. I certainly had empathy for Roberda and her family. Love and loss; grief and hardship …
This novel vividly shows the day to day life that confronts these women ... in troubled times
GoodReads Reviewer
1587, England is at risk of invasion by the Spanish Armada, following the death of Mary, Queen of Scots, the Catholic rival to the throne and cousin to Queen Elizabeth.
A Navy is being prepared, men are being trained to use weapons, uniforms are needed, ships constantly patrol the shores of the south coast and a network of beacons is erected to give an early warning of attacks. The Navy is under the leadership of Sir Walter Raleigh, a favourite of the Queen and a local man.
At Dartington Hall, war preparations are under way on a more modest scale. The women …
Highly recommend
Net Galley Reviewer
I read this ARC in exchange for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine
This is a new author to me
I found the write up description intriguing
I really enjoyed this
Loved the writing style and very easy to read
Highly recommend
https://www.netgalley.com/book/671134/reviews
See moreA compelling and richly researched historical novel
Jon Marshall - History Roadshow
Mistress of Dartington Hall is the third novel in Rosemary Griggs's Daughters of Devon series, and once again, she brings the women of Tudor England out of the shadows and into the light. Set in 1587, with the threat of the Spanish Armada looming, the novel centres on Roberda, a French Huguenot noblewoman navigating life as the lady of Dartington Hall in South Devon.
Roberda is more than a wife or mother—she's a determined estate manager, navigating the legal and logistical challenges of keeping Dartington operational in her husband's absence. But when her estranged husband, Gawen, suddenly returns from Ireland, …
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