The West Riding: setting for the earlier novels in the Oldroyd saga -
the novels that were so successfully televised as the Inheritance
trilogy. Now the story is continued. The old, closely-knit world of the
textile families has changed. When old Henry Morcar dies suddenly, a new
generation comes into its inheritance. Syke Mill is threatened by a
takeover bid. There is a protest march. Social conditions change but the
picture of the West Riding and its people is as authentic as ever.
Phyllis Bentley (1894-1977) was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, where
she was educated until she attended Cheltenham Ladies College,
Gloucestershire. In 1932 her best-known work, Inheritance, was
published to widespread critical acclaim and commercial success. This
was in contrast to her previous efforts, a collection of short stories
entitled The World's Bane, and several poor-selling novels. The
success of Inheritance made her the most successful English regional
novelist since Thomas Hardy, and she produced two more novels to create
a trilogy; The Rise of Henry Morcar and A Man Of His Time. This
success made her a much demanded speaker and she became an expert on the
Bronte family. Over her career she garnered many awards; an honorary
DLitt from Leeds University (1949); a Fellow of the Royal Society of
Literature (1958); awarded an OBE (1970).
