Name: The Town House
ISBN: 9780753188293

Norah Lofts

Martin Reed first came face to face with the man who owned him in October of 1391. His resentment of the rule of his feudal lord finally flare into open defiance. Encouraged by the woman he loved, Martin began a new life which was to culminate in the building of the House and the founding of the dynasty who were to live there.

The Town House

Francine Corry

Few born serfs, like me, could tell you their birth date but I was born in that memorable year of 1381 when the peasants, armed only with the tools of their trade, supported by a few soldiers, back from the wars, and a few priests with hearts of compassion, rose up against their masters, against the laws and the customs that made a serf the property of his lord. 

So states Martin Reed at the beginning of Norah Lofts novel, The Town House, the first of her Suffolk Series. Martin was born a serf and trained as a blacksmith by his father, but ran off and found refuge in Baildon. This is the story of him, his children and grandchildren.

I'd read books by Norah Lofts years ago and this one was first published in 1959. It has the feel of the historical fiction which I used. It deals clearly with human strengths and weaknesses and has the feel of something solid and fine to it.

I felt a certain nostalgia reading it and may continue the series.

The Town House

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