The House of Arden
The House of Arden is a novel for children written by Edith Nesbit and first published in 1908.
The book tells us the story of a boy named Edred Arden, who inherits the noble title of Lord Arden and Arden Castle, which is totally deteriorated and in ruins.
Along with his sister, they will embark on the adventure of finding the lost treasure of Ardens and with the invaluable help of the magical Mouldiwarp they will find clues about the whereabouts of said treasure.
Through time travel, they will visit different historical periods such as Napoleon's invasion of the United Kingdom, the gunpowder plot in the Tower of London or the celebration of May Day with Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII.
This makes it a very educational book and widely read in schools by children, as it covers different historical periods in an entertaining and fun way.
Even in the final part they will take a trip to a lost civilization in South America, inspired by legends such as that of El Dorado.
A sequel named Harding's Luck was published in 1909.
This book belongs to House of Arden Series #1
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Public domain (US)·No sign-up·DRM-free·Real text, not scans
Copyright note. The House of Arden by Edith Nesbit is believed to be in the public domain in the United States only. It may still be copyrighted in other countries. If you are not in the United States, please check your local laws to ensure this eBook is in the public domain in your country before downloading The House of Arden in PDF or EPUB.
- Pages
- 204
- Reading time
- 6 hours 6 minutes
- Pace
- Intermediate
- First published
- 1908
- Language
- English
- Downloads
- 2,287
118 years later, still timely
Why Read The House of Arden in 2026?
Siblings time-travel through British history to solve a family mystery. Nesbit blends puzzles, humor, and heart, proving that curiosity is the best machine for adventure.
Today's connection
Great for young readers: gentle history, quick chapters, and the reminder that bravery often looks like kindness.
History as playground
Past unlocked by play.
Teamwork & wit
Bickering turned to strategy.
Mystery thread
Clues woven across eras.
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About the author
Edith Nesbit
Modern family fantasy where play, magic, and ethics share the same room.
If this one stays with you…
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The Marvelous Land of OzL. Frank Baum
From The House of Arden
Because people who go to the seaside and take lodgings seem, somehow, much harder to please than the people who go to hotels.
“When I grow up,” said Edred, “I shall go across the sea and look for your ship and bring it home. I shall take a steam-tug and steer it myself.”
I don’t know what the contrary (or opposite) of taxes is, any more than the children did—but I am sure it is something quite nice—and so were they.
“Good luck!” says I to my sweetheart, “For I will love you true; And all the while we’ve got to part, My luck shall go with you.”
It is all very wonderful and mysterious, as all life is apt to be if you go a little below the crust, and are not content just to read newspapers and go by the Tube Railway, and buy your clothes ready-made, and think nothing can be true unless it is uninteresting.