Principal Characters

The Early Years

Brothers at Arms – (1794 – 1802)

  • Squire Tom Norbery of Linmore Hall – Country landowner & Whig Politician
  • Joshua – Tom Norbery’s younger son
  • Aunt Jane Littlemore – Stepsister of Mrs Kate Norbery
  • Mrs Winifred Pontesbury – Tom Norbery’s sister
  • Charlie & Sophie Cobarne – Adopted children of Miss Jane’s cousin in Ireland
  • Lady Rosemary Chervil – and her grandmother, the Dowager Lady Kenchester – chance met travelling acquaintances on the Grand Tour who become close friends

Counting the Cost – (1794 – 1808)

  • Miss Maria Dinchope – Housekeeper at Hillend Rectory
  • Nell Walcote – A foundling child, adopted by a family of paupers
  • Mother Chapel – Gypsy herbalist and midwife & her daughter Meg
  • Reverend Egbert Snitterfield – Rector of Hillend parish in Linmore Dale
  • Miss Petunia Snitterfield – Reverend Snitterfield’s sister
  • Mrs Lucinda Grimble – Tenant farmer’s wife from Oak Apple Farm, Hillend

A Marriage of Convenience – Life at Linmore Hall

Held to Ransom – (1808 – 1816)

  • Joshua Norbery – Heir to the Linmore Hall Estate
  • Mrs Joshua Norbery – nee Miss Annabel Bradstone
  • Arthur Bradstone – Father-in-law to Joshua, and wealthy Foundry Owner
  • Miss Maria Dinchope – Housekeeper at Linmore Manor
  • Mrs Sophie Teale – Former school friend of Miss Annabel Bradstone
  • Captain Charlie Cobarne – Sophie Teale’s brother
  • Squire Tom Norbery – Joshua’s father, country landowner and Whig Politician
  • Miss Jane Littlemore – Joshua’s aunt

Estrangement – (1816 – 1817)

  • Squire Joshua Norbery – Owner of the Linmore Hall Estate
  • Mrs Joshua Norbery – nee Miss Annabel Bradstone
  • Arthur Bradstone – Father-in-law to Joshua, and wealthy Foundry Owner
  • Miss Maria Dinchope – Housekeeper at Linmore Hall
  • Mrs Sophie Teale – Former school friend of Miss Annabel Bradstone
  • Major Charlie Cobarne – Sophie Teale’s brother
  • Miss Jane Littlemore – Joshua’s aunt
  • Viscount Robert Chetton – Owner of the Neathwood Park Estate
  • Lady Mary Chetton – Resident of Neathwood Park
  • Fanny Sparrow – Maid to Annabel Norbery

Hiding the Truth – (1817 – 1818)

  • Squire Joshua Norbery – Owner of the Linmore Hall Estate
  • Miss Maria Dinchope – Housekeeper at Linmore Hall
  • Arthur Bradstone – Father of Joshua’s late wife, Annabel
  • Miss Jane Littlemore – Joshua’s aunt
  • Mr & Mrs Marcus Pontesbury – Sister of the late Tom Norbery, and her husband
  • Reverend Tobias Wetmore – Joshua’s cousin & Rector of Hillend Parish
  • Dr James Althorpe – Physician, Middlebrook Surgery
  • Lord & Lady Chetton – Residents at Neathwood Park
  • Lady Rosemary Silverdale – Lady Chetton’s cousin
  • Mrs Sophie Teale – Former friend of Annabel Norbery
  • Nell Walcote – Dr Althorpe’s nurse

The Foundling’s Path – Life in Linmore Dale

Living in the Shadows – (1808 – 1816)

  • Nell Walcote – Orphan and former housemaid at Hillend Rectory
  • Meg Chapel – Gypsy herbalist and Midwife
  • Dr James Althorpe – Country Physician of Middlebrook Surgery
  • Mrs Fulmer – Wealthy patient, living in retirement
  • Lord & Lady Chetton – Residents at Neathwood Park
  • Dr Frogg – Medical assistant and family connection of Mrs Fulmer
  • Captain Adam Whitcott – Former army officer and Country artist, residing in Caitlin Vale

Finding Her Place – (1817)

  • Nell Walcote – Physician’s nurse
  • Dr James Althorpe – Country physician
  • Meg Chapel – Gypsy herbalist and midwife
  • Mrs Estelle Fulmer – A reclusive lady living in retirement
  • Ernest Bassingbourne – Mrs Fulmer’s man of business
  • Lord & Lady Chetton – Residents at Neathwood Park

Keeping a Secret – (1818)

  • Nell Walcote – Physician’s nurse
  • Dr James Althorpe – Country physician
  • Squire Joshua Norbery – Owner of Linmore Hall
  • Miss Maria Dinchope – Housekeeper at Linmore Hall
  • Reverend Tobias Wetmore – Rector of Hillend Parish
  • Lady Chetton – Resident at Neathwood Park
  • Arthur Bradstone – Father of the late Mrs Joshua Norbery
  • Miss Eliza Bradstone – Sister of the late Mrs Norbery
  • Mrs Sophie Teale – Friend of the late Mrs Norbery

For Better Or Worse

An Element of Doubt – (1818)

  • Squire Joshua Norbery – Owner of the Linmore Hall Estate
  • Miss Maria Dinchope – Housekeeper at Linmore
  • Nell Walcote – Physician’s nurse
  • Miss Jane Littlemore – Joshua’s aunt & stepsister to Kate Norbery
  • Dr James Althorpe – Physician at Middlebrook Surgery
  • Reverend Tobias Wetmore – Joshua’s cousin and Rector of Hillend Parish
  • Mrs Estelle Fulmer – Wealthy widow living in retirement
  • Dr Gideon Hawser – Assistant to Dr James Althorpe
  • Meg Chapel – Gypsy Herbalist & Midwife
  • Lord & Lady Chetton – of Neathwood Park
  • Miss Eliza Bradstone – Sister of the late Mrs Norbery
  • Mrs Sophie Teale – Friend of the late Mrs Annabel Norbery