Mothers in Period Drama for Mother's Day

Mrs. Thornton from Mrs. Gaskell's North and South

Hannah Thornton may not have been the cuddliest mother, but you have to admit she fiercely loved her son. To her flighty daughter Fanny she was more protective than proud, but still a good mother.

Mrs. Bennet from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

OK, Mrs. Bennet is a mother who is really trying to do the best for her daughters but she fails as often as she succeeds. And she gives some good cringe-worthy comedic moments in the process!

Mrs. Dashwood from Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility

Poor Mrs. Dashwood. She loves her daughters dearly and fiercely, but again, often unwittingly causes them harm or pain but without the comedy of Mrs. Bennet.

Mrs. Clennam from Charles Dickens' Little Dorrit

Ouch. Mrs. Clennam. What can I say except that here is one of the most spectacularly horrible mothers in 19th century literature. She does redeem herself in the end however (oops....spoiler alert!)

Mildred Pierce

Try as you might Mildred, you really needed to read a parenting book to deal with that witch of a daughter, didn't you?

Marilla Cuthbert from L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables

Well, even though she wasn't technically Anne's mother, that is really the point of Mother's Day isn't it? Honouring those who mother us, and who was a better mother really, than Marilla? Sigh...

Mrs. Banks from Mary Poppins

Now I think I will end with Mrs. Banks. She tries to balance the job of being a modern woman with being a mother and makes us all feel better by messing up but then redeeming herself at the end. Votes for women and hugs for children!

So Happy Mother's Day to you all, whether you are a mother, have a mother or are remembering a mother today. And feel free to comment below with your favourite mother from a period drama. There are lots more!