King John's Right Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye

by Sharon Bennett Connolly

In a time when men fought and women stayed home, Nicholaa de la Haye held Lincoln Castle against all-comers. Not once, but three times, earning herself the ironic praise that she acted ‘manfully’.

Nicholaa gained prominence in the First Baron’s War, the civil war that followed the sealing of Magna Carta in 1215. Although recently widowed, and in her 60s, in 1217 Nicholaa endured a siege that lasted over three months, resisting the English rebel barons and their French allies. The siege ended in the battle known as the Lincoln Fair, when 70-year-old William Marshal, the Greatest Knight in Christendom, spurred on by the chivalrous need to rescue a lady in distress, came to Nicholaa’s aid.

Nicholaa de la Haye was a staunch supporter of King John, remaining loyal to the very end, even after most of his knights and barons had deserted him.

A truly remarkable lady, Nicholaa was the first woman to be appointed sheriff in her own right.

Her strength and tenacity saved England at one of the lowest points in its history.

Nicholaa de la Haye is one woman in English history whose story needs to be told…

Genres: History, British Literature, Medieval, Nonfiction, Biography, Historical

240 pages, Hardcover

Published July 30, 2023

Reviews

[Juliew. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had many thoughts on this one.Some good,some bad but what struck me was the lack of good organisation.There were many,many pages devoted to Nicolaa's family background and the players around her and I felt overwhelmed by it all and that was just the beginning.I thought the author should have set the backgrounds of the players in the context of the story.Instead by the time I got to the narrative I was pretty confused.In all honesty I did enjoy what narrative there was especially the battle scenes at the castle and I did pickup on Nicholaas's character.Over all though I think this might be good for someone with a deep interest in the politics of the times not necessarily a general reader.

[Christy fictional_traits · Rating 4 out of 5]

'A most able adversary for some of the greatest military minds of the time, and a loyal supporter of King John, Nicholaa de la Haye was unique among her peers.' Indeed an annalist praised her 'manfully' actions but history has not adequately recorded this remarkable woman born in the 12th Century.

Sharon Bennett Connolly has sought to redress this glaring gap utlising both primary and secondary sources to weave together a well-researched and qualified biography; from Nicholaa's ancestors, through to marriages, children, and allegiance. To have ultimately become a trusted leader of King John, 'England's worst King', should be a testament to Nicholaa's strong character. To successfully hold off a siege that lasted months shows downright tenacity. But to be appointed sheriff of Lincolnshire before King John's death shows true regard for her leadership.

Bennett Connolly has put a lot of time and heart into this biography. Although relying on rummaging through scattered medieval recordings to learn more about Nicolaa, it is clear that hard facts can be scant. However, Bennett Connolly is very careful to qualify and cross-reference any surmising on her part in order to be as accurate as possible, yet still tell a story. History lovers will enjoy learning about this unique lady whom history nearly forgot. History academics will relish the depth of research, end notes, appendices, and comprehensive biography.

'Heiress, widow, castellan, sheriff, and war leader - Lady Nicholaa de la Haye.'

[Melisende · Rating 2 out of 5]

My initial problem is with the title: King John's Right Hand Lady.

Whilst the historical Nicholaa / Nicola / Nichola was a loyal supporter of King John, to say that she was his "right hand" - his "Sir Hiss" or his "Sheriff of Nottingham" to use more populist references - would be highly incongruous. Roger of Wendover's "abbetors of iniquity" list does not mention Nicholaa, and at Runnymeade it is Archibishop Langton, William Marshall and Hubert de Burgh who are acknowledged as his advisors. So I am at a loss as to where Nicholaa sits in all of this.

Its all well and good to bring forth a tome on a notable person, but to ascribe to them more than their due is being disingenuous to the reader and playing fast, loose and false with the subject at hand.

Now for the rest: the tome contains lots of events not directly linked to Nicholaa; lots of repetition of information; and lots of information of family and familial connections. If you have read any of Bennett Connolly's other books on the period you will notice that they all cross over into each other, containing the same information, on the same people, over the same period. "But this her area afterall" I hear you say. Sure - that's fine, but each tome doesn't need to feel like it needs to include the previous ones as part of it.

The extent of research is evident ... literally! But there is just not enough on Nicholaa to cover the 180 odd ages of relevant text. History is littered with many similar such stories -this is just one.

[Paula Lofting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Bennett Connolly writes a very in-depth script with detailed information about a not so well-known medieval heroine.
Sharon Bennett Connolly writes a very in-depth script with detailed information about a not so well-known medieval history.
It is true that few women ever get a fair deal in the confines of historical documents, but Ms Bennett Connolly has dug deep using the evidence available, and drawing the threads of this fascinating woman together to create a pleasing narrative. The author's skill as a writer of history stands proud as she launches us into the 12th and 13th centuries to learn about one of the courageous and loyal women of medieval times. Immersing us among the characters of the period, we come to learn much about the time, the politics and the customs. My favourite aspect of this book is the author's descriptive information of how women had to navigate this extremely dangerous era when a word or an action could see you end banged up in a castle dungeon or kidnapped for political gain. Women without family members were extremely vulnerable and were often misused like the poor Alice de Ferrers.
The book starts off with an investigation into the background of Nicholaa's origins and family and follows through her life, her marriages, and finally her heroics as a 60-year-old woman defending Lincoln Castle for King John. It is difficult when writing the biography of a woman in history, especially in medieval times when most of the writings were done by monks and men of the church, and who preferred to write about the deeds of men lest they be overshadowed by their female counterparts. Ms Bennett Connolly fills in a lot of the gaps with the external events, battles, politics and King John's adventures which puts Nicholaa in her context and gives us, the readers, a fascinating insight into how she must have coped with what she was faced with. It also allows us to see her not only as Nicholaa, the woman who was King John's right-hand lady, but also as wife to three husbands (not all at once of course) a mother, a daughter and a sister. And I was most impressed to find out, thanks to Ms Bennett Connolly's impeccable research that she was descended from Colswein, an English thegn of Lincoln who had found favour with William the Conqueror. I'm sure she got her 'manly' manners and courage through him!
I was also impressed by the appendices which contains the clauses and other information about the Magna Carta. There is an extensive index and a detailed bibliography and a loved the set of plates that help you to visualise the world in which Nicholaa lived. It is well worth the read not only for the story of Nicholaa herself, but also those who influenced her life and those whom her existence influenced, giving us a broad picture of the world that would have been much less interesting without her in it.
Very enjoyable and highly recommended.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicholaa de la Haye was Sheriff of Lincoln and held the castle through a siege or two. Yet this medieval woman is barely known. This book details her life and times and shows what a force to be reckoned with Nicholaa was. Definitely worth picking up if you like medieval history.

[Lauralee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actually, 2.5 stars

Nicholaa De La Haye was the first female sheriff in history. However, there was never a biography about her. In this first biography, Nicholaa De La Haye's accomplishments are finally brought to light. This biography also emphasizes Nicholaa’s loyalty to King John of England.

Nicholaa De La Haye was the daughter of Richard de La Haye and Matilda. Richard was a constable and Sheriff of Lincoln Castle. When Nicholaa’s father died, she inherited his lands along with her two younger sisters. Nicholaa De La Haye was twice widowed with two children. In her mid-sixties, she was a staunch supporter of King John, and he made her Sheriff of Lincolnshire. She even endured a three-month siege at Lincoln Castle in 1217. Therefore, Nicholaa De La Haye was a very admirable and remarkable woman!

Overall, this biography tells the story of a forgotten but extraordinary woman in history! Even though Nicholaa is a fascinating woman, this biography was not an enthralling read. It was very drawn out and repetitive. Over a third of this book is about her father and over a half is about King John. Even though it is Nicholaa’s story, she is rarely mentioned. The biography is also very disjointed and it also jumps around various topics that do not relate to Nicholaa. Even though it was a short read, it was very confusing especially when reading about an historical figure that I knew nothing about. It is a fact that there is not a lot of information about Nicholaa De La Haye enough to produce a book. Therefore, it would have been more enjoyable if it was a short history article or an historical fiction novel. Still, King John’s Right Hand Lady has brought attention to an incredible woman and has paved the way for more research! I recommend this book for those who are interested in women in medieval history. King John’s Right Hand Lady is perfect for fans of Kathryn Warner, Helen Castor, and Tracy Borman!
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)

[Heidi Malagisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The year is 1217, and Lincoln Castle is being attacked. King John is dead, and his son Henry III is now king, but chaos still reigns. Noblemen are fighting against each other, and amid this conflict is a woman in her sixties. She is used to the instability of England as she is not only the constable of the castle being besieged, but she has earned the right to be named the first female sheriff of England. She was a daughter, a wife, a mother, a widow, and someone the Plantagenets could depend on. The name of this remarkable woman is Nicholaa de la Haye, and her unbelievable story is told in Sharon Bennett Connolly’s latest book, “King John’s Right Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye.”

I want to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I remember first hearing the name Nicholaa de la Haye from one of Sharon Bennett Connolly’s other books, “Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England.” I wanted to learn more about this woman, how she gained the trust of King John, and why she was not only a constable of Lincoln Castle but a sheriff for Lincolnshire.

To understand how Nicholaa de la Haye became the constable of Lincoln Castle, we have to explore the origins of the Haye family and their connection to the Plantagenets. Connolly tracks the family back to the Norman Conquest, but the main focus is on the direct family of Richard de la Haye and Matilda de Verdun, Nicholaa’s parents. The Haye family has a legacy and a deep sense of duty to protect the English royal family from invaders or rebels, which passed on to Nicholaa and her sisters as they were their father’s heiresses. With Richard de la Haye’s death, Nicholaa inherited his role as constable of Lincoln Castle.

Nicholaa de la Haye was married twice to William Fitz Erneis and Gerard de Camville, and she had several children. When her husbands were away or had died, Nicholaa could uphold her birthright as a constable. It was not an easy road, but she did have the backing of King John during the First Baron’s War. Connolly takes the time to explore how John became king, his connection with Nicholaa de la Haye, the Magna Carta crisis, and the First Baron’s War. Before his death, King John named Nicholaa the first female sheriff of England in charge of Lincolnshire. Finally, she had to deal with the siege of Lincoln Castle for three months in 1217, which was just a cherry on top of her whole life experience.

A strong, independent woman who lived a thrilling life and was willing to defend her home of Lincoln Castle even at the age of sixty, Nicholaa de la Haye was an unsung heroine of the thirteenth century. Connolly’s passion for telling Nicholaa’s tale of trials and tribulations exudes on every page. “King John’s Right Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye” by Sharon Bennett Connolly is the perfect book for anyone who wants a story about the Plantagenets, King John, and the first female sheriff of England. A true triumph in exploring the life of a more hidden figure from the thirteenth century.

[Shahira8826 · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's surprisingly little about Nicholaa de la Haye in this book that’s supposed to be about her.
"King John's Right Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye" by Sharon Bennett Connolly begins with two full chapters of historical background. While some context is certainly necessary, devoting that much space to setting the scene before we properly meet Nicholaa feels excessive. What follows is a pattern: a chapter that’s sort of about Nicholaa, then one mostly about the broader political landscape, then back to Nicholaa (sort of), then more general history… and so it goes.
The title feels misleading. A more accurate one might be "The History of Late 11th–Early 13th-Century England, with Passing Mentions of Nicholaa de la Haye".
Even in the chapters that ostensibly focus on her, Nicholaa often fades into the background. The narrative concentrates on her family’s wealth, alliances, and status more than on Nicholaa herself. When she does appear, the portrait is fragmented and frustratingly shallow. Details of her life are scattered and jump back and forth in time: one moment she’s a widow, then we’re in her childhood, then her first marriage, then the second — with little coherence or development.
By the end, I didn’t feel like I knew Nicholaa any better than I did before reading. For a woman who clearly played a remarkable role in history, that’s a real disappointment.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of Nicholaa de la Haye, a woman who's life is virtually unknown outside of Lincoln but was instrumental in saving the English crown from the French during the invasion of 1216 - 1217. Nicholaa was the hereditary heir to Lincoln Castle, stayed loyal to King John, was appointed sheriff of Lincoln just hours before John died and held back three sieges.

This book looks at the events around Nicholaa de la Haye and why she stayed loyal to the worst English king. This book is a deep dive into a lesser known figure from history. Sharon Bennet Connolly wrote an interesting book, but it can drag on for a bit in the beginning when she is laying out Nicholaa's family tree and how they ended up in Lincoln.

[Katerina Dunne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I have studied Medieval History, I was not aware of the story of Nicholaa De La Haye. Now that I know, I find her really fascinating. The author has done a great job bringing to life not only Nicholaa and her family but also the whole English society and politics of her time. The amount of research is phenomenal, and it shows how much passion the author has for her subject. As a side note, I liked that she included a section on another great lady of the time, Ella of Salisbury. Excellently researched and presented, this book is a valuable addition to the scholarship on powerful medieval women. Highly recommended.

[Morgan]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

In King John’s Right Hand Lady, Sharon Bennett Connolly explores the life of Nicholaa de la Haye, a powerful noblewoman in her own right that was central to John I’s maintenance of power in central England. Connolly traces the lineage of the de la Haye family from Normandy to Lincoln and the circumstances that led to Nicholaa becoming her family’s heir. Connolly then tracks Nicholaa’s marriage to Gerard de Camville and her appointment as constable of Lincoln, a critical seat of King John’s power in the early thirteenth century, as well as the lives of her descendants who married into powerful families such as the Earls of Salisbury. Connolly’s devotion to uncovering Nicholaa de la Haye’s life and her time in power as the constable of Lincoln in her own right is reflected throughout the book, and Connolly’s clear familiarity with the time period and the de la Haye family makes this book an incredibly fascinating read. Her prose and detail provides the reader with a complete understanding of the complicated late twelfth and early thirteenth century politics in London and the power struggles between various nobles and the sons of Henry II, and Connolly explains this wonderfully.

Thanks to NetGalley, Pen & Sword, and Pen & Sword History for the advance copy.