Hardy wrote a small number of novels which earned him a high reputation in his lifetime. These include "Tess of the d'Urbervilles", "The Mayor of Casterbridge" and "Far from the Madding Crowd". After the publication of "Jude the Obscure" in 1895 Hardy gave up novel writing but continued to write poetry including an epic poem called "The Dynasts". Hardy set his novels in South West England, calling it 'Wessex'. He invented names for the towns, e.g. "Casterbridge" is Dorchester in Dorset. Hardy died in Dorchester. His ashes are buried in Westminster Abbey.