The Founding is a masterpiece of research into life in Middle-Age England, with vivid descriptions of the clothes, food and hierarchy in grand houses in contrast to the way of life of the Yorkshire farming community. The story soon moves into the War of the Roses, and shows how every such conflict divides families. It was CHE [and Jean Plaidy] who first inspired me to write historical fiction, and I was intrigued to see if the style of writing would appear different from my first experience with the series. Her style includes a great deal of head hopping, passive voice and author intrusion no longer fashionable in modern writing. Most of the rules which editors will tell you are a bar to publication were there, including ‘her face paled’ when in the character’s PoV. I can honestly say none of this spoiled the story for me in any way. In fact readers probably wouldn’t even notice, only aspiring authors who read ‘How To Write Books’. The Founding is still a compelling introduction to the Moreland family which makes me want to read the entire series again. I eagerly await the next one!

One of my favourite kinds of stories are those which follow a family through generations. The Morland Dynasty books had caught my eye more than once but I was slightly put off by the starting point (and I have to start at the beginning of a series) being set in the 1400s and around the Wars of the Roses, an era of history that I didn't know very much about and didn't think I was particularly interested in. I was wrong! Whether it was simply Harrod-Eagles' compelling writing that swayed me I don't know, but I loved every minute I spent reading The Founding and now have a thirst both for more knowledge about the era and the main players, and for more of the Morland family. This book is where the now thirty-six-strong series of books begins as Robert Morland is betrothed to Eleanor Courtenay and the dynasty is born. Eleanor travels from Dorset to York to embark on her new life and soon she is the matriarch of a family whose status rises to the point where Kings and noblemen spend time at their home. I loved the setting in the north and the way in which the family's story intertwined with the royal families amidst battles through the reigns of Henry VI, Edwards IV and V, and the legendary Richard III (whose portrayal in this book I found perhaps a little unexpected given his reputation). The family go through many trials and tribulations, much as you would expect from a time of pestilence and civil wars, but they remain united throughout under Eleanor's watchful eye. Rich detail, fascinating characters and intensive research made The Founding a brilliant read. I'm now very eager to read book two, The Dark Rose, and am excited for all the Morland books awaiting me.