The Founding cover

The Founding

by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

Set in the year 1434. This is the story of the Morland dynasty in the making. Edward Morland arranges an influential marriage for his eldest son Robert. Edward is a highly successful sheep farmer who has a vision and much ambition for his family. His wealth and scheming will see his son Robert, build and expand the farm into one of the most profitable and well respected wool trading merchant empires of the day. Robert's descendants will grow in wealth and position, but it is Robert's wife, the spirited Eleanor who outlives them all and survives to see so many changes over her long 70 years. It is Eleanor who truly oversees and moulds this growing family, increasing their wealth and position, and through her loyalty to Richard the Duke of York, and his son Richard who will eventually become King of England, that her family find themselves very much involved in the events of history.

More by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?