If you love novels by Alison Weir, Elizabeth Chadwick, Conn Iggulden and Philippa Gregory, then you’re in for a treat. Clara Clayton has just released Mistress of the Manor, and this is the first in the Tapestry Tales series – a new historical series set in an English Manor House. In an interview with the novel’s main protagonist, Cara presents an insight into the compelling novel. It is my pleasure to hand over the blog to author Cara Clayton.
Cara: Good day Clémence. Tell me, does it cause you problems to be so well educated by the monks from Vaudey Abbey? It’s certainly very unusual in this year of 1342.
Clémence: I’m very fortunate that my father is so forward-thinking. But…
Cara: He’s the master mason that helped to build some of Vaudey, here in Lincolnshire, isn’t he?
Clémence: Yes.
Cara: Sorry, I interrupted.
Clémence: He thought I should learn about the heavenly bodies; the medicines of Florence and the herbs that heal the sick; the travels to the far east from where spices come. Oh! There are so many places of interest that I should love to visit — the great cathedrals of France, the art in Italy.
Cara: You sound frustrated to be here.
Clémence: It’s so unfair that I am stuck here, salting the fish and the vegetables to see us through the winter, when there is so much of the world to explore.
Cara: I see from your expression that it’s frustrating.
Clémence: It truly is. I met Sir Ruadhán the other day. He is returned from battles with the Scots. You probably heard that he rescued my sister, who is so devout, and me from a ruffian who would have…, well… he rescued us. He has seen and done so much that is denied to me because I’m a woman.
Cara: His name is unusual.
Clémence: ’Tis Irish and he was named for the berries of the tree we call mountain ash because his hair and beard are fiery red. We played together with others from the village but I didn’t recognise him the other day, at first. He’s… he’s incredible. Way beyond my dreams now, of course. There’s no way I could become his consort. He’s far above me in status despite my father’s position in our small community. Anyway, I heard he has been promised to a young woman of similar noble birth already and she is to arrive for the handfasting any day now.
Cara: What of Sir Ruadhán’s Uncle, Sir Aedric. He can’t be too happy about that either. Word in the alleys is that he hoped to inherit the estate when his brother died and if a son should be born to the young couple…
Clémence: True. He bitterly resents his nephew but he would never have inherited despite him being a twin with Ruadhán’s father. It’s the law of King Edward 111 and has always been so.
Cara: I hope all will be well on the estate when Sir Ruadhán has to return to battle for his liege lord John of Gaunt.
Clémence: Indeed, so do I. He certainly enjoys the wine cellar while he supposedly looks after everything since Ruadhán still hasn’t reached his majority and is away so much.
More about Mistress of the Manor
A compelling new historical series set in an English Manor House! For fans of Alison Weir, Elizabeth Chadwick, Conn Iggulden and Philippa Gregory.
Life is wonderful at the manor … or is it?
1342, Lincolnshire, England
Clémence Masson has always yearned for more than her expected marriage to an apprentice or farmer’s son.
So when an opportunity arises at the nearby Grimsthorpe Manor House to be a companion to a newly-arrived bride-to-be, Clémmie is excited by the opportunity.
The young bride is soon to be handfasted to the lord of the manor, Ruadhán Amundeville, who is recently returned from battles with the Scots.
Ruadhán’s uncle Ulric has been overseeing the estates in the young lord’s absence, and it soon becomes clear to Clémmie that Ulric does not have Ruadhán’s best interests at heart.
But Clémmie does. She has found herself falling for the charming lord of Grimsthorpe.
When Ruadhán leaves for war with the French, Clémmie is left with Emma to deter Ulric’s unwanted advances.
And with the Black Death threatening, all of their lives could be at stake…
Will Clémmie achieve her dream of rising above her station? Could Grimsthorpe hold the key to her happiness?
Or will the darkness surrounding the manor destroy everything in its grasp…?
Cara Clayton is the pseudonym for Ros Rendle.
After taking early retirement as a Headteacher, when Ros Rendle had to write many policy documents and also had fun story-writing for children, she moved with her husband and dogs to France. She lived there for over ten years and began writing seriously for adults. She joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association New Writers’ Scheme. This afforded a detailed critique of her first novel and subsequently she was fortunate enough to gain a publishing contract. Ros has eleven historical and romance books published, frequently featuring the French countryside and sometimes even a handsome, enigmatic Frenchman!
The new mediaeval series (first book published 25/07/2025 and two others, so far, to follow), is published under the pseudonym of Cara Clayton.
Now, as well as writing, Ros and her husband are raising a guide dog puppy for the blind and enjoy walking him and their new pet dog.
Mistress of the Manor is receiving great reviews. Readers are enjoying the historical period, romance and intriguing plot. I love to escape to historical novels, particularly when the era is unfamiliar.
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Many thanks. My publisher had a handfasting ceremony a couple of weeks after her wedding.
I really like the sound of this one. I am fascinated by the whole concept of “hand fasting” and I know it is featured in Scotland, too. I really enjoyed the unique way the blog was organised and written. Thank you to both Jessie and Ros.