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The House of Allerbrook (Exmoor Saga), by Valerie Anand
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Lady-in-waiting Jane Sweetwater's resistance to the legendary attentions of Henry VIII may have saved her pretty neck, but her reward is a forced and unhappy marriage with a much older man and a harsh life on his farm. Her only consolation is that she still lives upon her beloved Exmoor, the bleak yet beautiful land that cradles Allerbrook House, her family home.
Played out in this remote, forbidding place, Jane's long and storied life is fraught with change: her fiercely protective nature leads her to assume responsibility not only for her own husband and child, but also for the rebellious son of her wayward sister. In time, she regains the position of a woman with status and property, but she cannot ignore the rumblings from London, as the articles of faith change with every new coronation.
Jane's small world is penetrated by plotting, treachery and even thwarted love as those she holds dearest are forced to choose between family loyalty and fealty to the crown.
- Sales Rank: #1650124 in eBooks
- Published on: 2012-08-15
- Released on: 2012-08-15
- Format: Kindle eBook
From Publishers Weekly
Anand (The House of Lanyon) depicts colorfully the turbulent and bloody 16th century, when England, under the rule of Henry VIII and his heirs, was rife with court intrigue, religious unrest and political espionage. Jane Allerbrook, lady-in-waiting to one of Henry's least-favored wives, flees court after catching, to her dismay and peril, the romantic attention of the king. With the help of dashing adventurer Peter Carew, Jane returns to the safety of her family manor, Allerbrook. Francis, Jane's brother and guardian, is enraged that Jane has ruined her chances for a politically advantageous marriage, and bitterly marries her off to local country bumpkin Harry Hudd. Jane accepts her lot, even as she pines for Carew and chafes under the yoke of her boorish husband, but fate and duty force her to fight for her family, her land and her country. Though Anand weaves a few too many important figures and famous plots into the life of one lady of the moors (Forrest Gump comes to mind more than once), her story has plenty of satisfying action and historic detail. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Valerie Anand is the author of over 20 historical fiction titles. As a member of the Exmoor Society, her love and knowledge of that area has directly influenced The House of Lanyon, her first book in the epic Exmoor novels.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Allerbrook House is a charming and unusual manorhouse in the Exmoor district of of Somerset. The charm lies in the pleasant proportions, in the three gables looking out from the slate roof, echoed by the smaller, matching gable over the porch, and the two wings stretching back toward the hillside that sweeps up to the moorland ridge above.
In front, the land drops away gently, but to the west there is a steep plunge into the wooded combe where the Aller-brook River flows noisily down from its moorland source toward the village of Clicket in the valley, a mile or so away.
There is no other house of its type actually on Exmoor. It has other uncommon features, too. These include the beautiful Tudor roses (these days they are painted red and white just as they were originally) carved into the panels and window seats of the great hall, and the striking portrait of Jane Allerbrook which hangs upstairs in the east wing.
The portrait is signed "Spenlove" and is the only known work by this artist. Jane looks as though she is in her early forties. She is sturdily built, clear skinned and firm of feature—not a great beauty, but, like the house, possessed of charm. She is dressed in the Elizabethan style, though without excess, her ruff and farthingale modest in size. Her hair, still brown, is gathered under a silver net. Her gown is of tawny damask, open in front to reveal a cream damask kirtle, and her brown eyes are gentle and smiling.
But the painter knew his business and recorded his sitter's face in detail. There is a guarded look in those smiling eyes, as though their owner has secrets to keep, and there are little lines of worry around them, too. Well, Jane in her forties already knew the meaning of trouble.
Her original name was Jane Sweetwater. The household didn't adopt the name of Allerbrook until the 1540s. She was sixteen years of age on that day in 1535, when the family was preparing to send her elder sister, Sybil, to court to serve Queen Anne Boleyn as a maid of honour, and with only a week to go before Sybil's departure and a celebration dinner planned for the very next day, there was much anxiety in the household, because the new gowns that had been made for her had not yet been delivered.
"Eleanor," said Jane Sweetwater to her sister-in-law, "Madame La Plage is coming. I've just seen her from the parlour window."
"Thank God," said Eleanor, brushing back the strand of hair that had escaped from her coif. "I know she sent word that she'd come without fail today, but I was beginning to think that Sybil would have to attend her celebration dinner in one of her old gowns."
She wiped her forehead, which was damp. The March day was chilly enough, but she had been pulling extra benches around the table in the great hall, and the whole house seemed to be full of the steam from the kitchen. Preparations were under way for the feast tomorrow, when notable guests would gather to congratulate Sybil on her appointment to court, a great honour for the daughter of a Somerset yeoman.
Now everything that could possibly be prepared in advance was being so prepared, with much rolling and whisking and chopping by energetic maidservants, and pots and cauldrons simmering over a lively fire.
"Let me help you," said Jane contritely, looking at her harassed sister-in-law. "I should have come down before. I was doing some mending. Where are we going to seat people?"
"There'll be Sir William Carew and Lady Joan just here… and Master Thomas Stone and Mary Stone had better go opposite and they'll want their daughter, Dorothy, beside them, I expect. Then there's Ralph Palmer. He'll probably have his father with him. Now, they're family, though I've never got the relationship clear……
"Distant cousins. I've never quite worked it out myself," Jane remarked.
"Well, we'll seat them on that side," said Eleanor, pointing. "Then there's the Lanyons from Lynmouth……
"They're distant relations, too," Jane said.
"Yes. All from Francis's side. I'm almost relieved that my own family can't come, but my father's not in good health…. If I put Owen and Katherine Lanyon here, they can talk to the Carews and the Stones quite easily and…"
Outside in the courtyard, dogs were barking and geese had begun a noisy cackling.
"That's surely Madame La Plage at last," said Jane. "I'd better go and tell Sybil."
"I bring my most sincere regrets for the delay," Madame La Plage said, leading her laden pack mule into the yard and descending from her pony into the midst of the cackling geese and barking dogs, just as Eleanor hastened out to greet her. "But I will do any needful adjustments immédiatement."
Madame La Plage affected a French name and a French accent, but she was actually a local woman who had married one Will Beach of Porlock, a few miles west of the port of Minehead. After his death she had taken over his tailoring and dressmaking business. However, since Anne Boleyn, who'd spent many years in France, had captivated King Henry VIII, French food and styles of dress were in fashion. Mistress Beach had therefore moved herself and her business to Minehead and, with an appropriate accent, made a new start as Madame La Plage.
Most of her customers knew perfectly well that she was no more French than they were, but her work was good and she had prospered, acquiring clientele not only in Minehead but in the nearby port of Dunster, at the mouth of the River Avill, and even in Dunster Castle itself. Later she had become known more widely, even as far as Dulverton, in the very centre of the moor, and other places deep in the moorland, such as Allerbrook House, the home of the Sweetwater family, and the village of Clicket, which belonged to them.
The commission to make Sybil's new gowns was a very good one, and she had worried because she had been too busy hitherto to ride the fourteen miles (as the crow flew; ponies had to take a longer route) from Minehead. She dismounted now with a flustered air, flapping her cloak at the livestock. "I…go away, you brute…cease flapping your wings! Be quiet, you noisy barking animals! Mistress Sweet-water, can you not…?"
Eleanor seized the two dogs by their respective collars and said "Shoo!" loudly to the geese just as two grooms appeared from the stable to take charge of pony and mule and unload the hampers. She sighed a little as she did so. Eleanor's family in Dorset were dignified folk who lived in an elegant manor-house, and she was often pained by the way her husband's home had never quite shaken off its humble farming history.
Only a few generations ago it had been a simple farm, rented from a local landowner. Nowadays the Sweetwaters owned it as well as other land and had a family tomb in the church of St. Anne's in Clicket, and neither Eleanor nor her husband's two sisters had ever been asked to help spread muck on the fields or make black pudding from pig's blood and innards or go out at harvest time to stock corn behind the reapers.
But the old atmosphere still lingered. The front windows of the otherwise beautiful house overlooked a farmyard surrounded by a confused array of stables, byres, poultry houses and sheds, and infested by aggressive geese, led by a gander with such a savage peck that even the huge black tomcat, Claws, who kept the mice in order, was terrified of him.
Peggy Ames, the chief cook and housekeeper, came out in her stained working apron, brandishing a rolling pin and laughing all over her plain, cheery face, to help chase the geese away, and Madame La Plage, along with her hampers, was taken into the hall. Eleanor sent Jane to call her sister, and offered refreshments which Madame said she would welcome after her long ride. The wind had been chilly, she said. She kept her mind on her business, though, and while sipping wine, began to talk of Sybil and the new gowns.
"You will like the tawny especially, I think. It will look charming over the pale yellow kirtle. It is ideal for a girl with fair hair. Ah, she is such a pretty girl, your sister-in-law Sybil. The fashion now is all for dark ladies, of course, but such blond hair is rare, above all with brown eyes."
"Sybil is pretty enough," conceded Eleanor, just a little sourly. Her own hair was mousy and her eyes an indeterminate grey. She had never been handsome. Her dowry had got her safely married and Francis had grown fond of her, but she didn't have the looks to turn anyone's head, and she knew it. Sybil, at court, would probably have every young man in sight dedicating sonnets to her. One could only hope that she would behave herself. "She's a little greedy, I fear," Eleanor said. "She eats too much cream. I have warned her that she will grow fat, but she takes no notice."
"Perhaps her brother Master Francis should tell her, and maybe she will take notice of him. He is not here just now?"
"No, he's out exercising his horse and riding round the farms. He takes good care of his estate," Eleanor said.
Madame La Plage beamed. "Ah, his horse! He is known for his love of fine horses. He has good taste in all ways, has he not? I hope he will approve my work. Well, Mistress Sweetwater, shall we call Mistress Sybil and fit the gowns? Where is she? Most young ladies come running when new clothes are delivered!"
She and Eleanor both turned as a door opened at the end of the hall, but it was only Jane, on her own.
"Where has Sybil got to? I asked you to fetch her," said Eleanor.
"She's in her bedchamber," said Jane, sounding puzzled. "She seems upset about something."
"She's been very quiet for a while now," Eleanor said. "Can she be nervous about going to court? It's not like Sybil to be nervous. She isn't ill, is she?"
"I don't think so," said Jane. "But I think she has been crying."
"Well," said Madame La Plage, "let us see what pretty new gowns can do for her, shall we?"
"May I come, too?" asked Jane.
"Yes, of course." Eleanor had dutifully tried to love and be a mother to both her husband's young sisters, but she had never quite managed to become really fond of Sybil. Sturdy brown-haired kindhearted Jane, on the other hand...
Most helpful customer reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful.
the saga continues!
By Farin
The second in Valerie Anand's beautiful Exmoor saga, The House of Allerbrook chronicles the life of Jane Sweetwater Allerbrook from the turbulent reign of Henry VIII through to Elizabeth I. Pitched headfirst from an idyllic life in the country to Henry VIII's mistrustful court, Jane finds herself completely out of her element and under the eye of the lascivious, older, and desperate king. Rather than become a royal mistress, Jane flees with the help of a courtier, Peter Carew, and instead of facing her brother's praise for keeping her virtue, she faces his wrath for not using the opportunity to advance her family. As a punishment, she's forced to marry a much older man and make a life for herself. Jane's deep love for Exmoor and Allerbrook House keep her sane through a trying marriage and a succession of family tragedies. She eventually matures into a lady of property who is fiercely protective of all she loves and who refuses to allow the religious and monarchical upheavals in London to penetrate and destroy her world. In the end, she learns that her children will make their own decisions, and it's impossible for her save everyone.
This book gave a refreshingly different perspective of England during a time of great uncertainty. I loved seeing how the events at court affected all the corners of the country, and the people's confusion as they tried to keep up with each new ruler, when all that they really wished for was to be left in peace. The brief moments at court were also well written, especially the glimpses into Sir Francis Walsingham's intricate spy network.
It's not necessary to read The House of Lanyon before The House of Allerbrook, though some characters from the former make an appearance, and there are some parallel incidents that will only be apparent if you've read both books. They both stand wonderfully on their own, however, and Jane is both an winning and, occasionally, an exasperating heroine. I admired her for her spunk and courage, but sometimes wished that she had a filter for her acts of heroism and realized that some things were out of her control and actually putting her family at great risk, rather than protecting them. I also found certain bits of dialogue a bit expository, which I don't recall from reading House of Lanyon, but I didn't mind it in the long run.
I'm hoping there will be a third tale in the saga. It's clear that the moor deeply inspired Ms. Anand, and I'm sure she has more to tell!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
Above average historical novel from a popular era
By Elizabeth A. Root
This sequel to The House Of Lanyon (Exmoor Saga), skips a generation to begin in 1535. It is not necessary to have read the original book; only one brief reference to a stained glass window is incomprehensible without it. The story once again is more historical novel than romance, although the loves of the characters remain part of the subplot. Anand is apparently a great believer in love at first sight.
As Fiona Buckley, Anand also writes a spy/mystery series about Ursula Blanchard Stannard, a secret agent for Queen Elizabeth I. The two series cross in this novel, as a member of the family at Allerbrook is recruited by Sir Francis Walsingham, the [in]famous spymaster.
The result is a compelling story stretching over about five decades and three generations of the family. Once again, Exmoor is lovingly described, and becomes almost as much a character in the story as any human being. Once again, the characters are caught up in the complexities of ambition, arranged marriages, and romance; social duties conflict with individual inclinations and loyalties. In this era, they are particularly whipsawed by the constant changes in religious doctrine. Someone once remarked that Henry VIII was very sincere in his religious convictions, unfortunately, neither he nor anyone else was quite certain what they were. Then his children follow, each with a different take on religion. An above average historical novel for anyone interested in this era.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
full of surprises
By Wendy L. Hines
Choosing between family loyalty and fealty to the crown is by no means an easy or quick choice. THE HOUSE OF ALLERBROOK is full of betrayal and love that will have you quickly turning the pages until far into the night. In a time when woman were thought to be worth less than cattle and their only station in life was to bear an heir, this sweeping saga will make you laugh and make you cry.
Jane Sweetwater is sixteen years old when she is sent to the court of King Henry VIII by her brother Francis. Jane enjoys court life as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Anne of Cleves. Queen Anne notices Jane's musical skill and Jane is soon invited to play in the royal parties. However, the unwanted sexual advances from the King soon have her fleeing to the court of Allerbrook with the aid of her friend Peter Carew.
Sybil Sweetwater brings shame to her family with her pregnancy out of wedlock. Her brother Francis immediately exiles her into the care of cousins. There, Sybil is forced to change her name and is treated like a workhorse. After her son Stephen is born she is still miserable and not a very decent mother.
Francis is angry that Jane also damaged the family's chance of a favorable position in court. He marries Jane off to an older farmer named Harry Hudd. She spends her time working the farm and raising their son Tobias dreaming about another life she could have had with Peter. Her sister Sybil wants to escape her life and before long, leaves her son Stephen for Jane to raise. When Francis dies unexpectedly, Jane inherits the family home and starts to make some changes in her life.
An epic historical novel, THE HOUSE OF ALLERBROOK is full of surprises. Royal intrigue, romance, and a historical backdrop set the stage for this novel that spans several generations.
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