LADY OF LINCOLN
A Novel of Nicola de la Haye, a Woman Born to Lead in a Man’s World, a Medieval Heroine History Tried to Forget
Longlisted for the Chaucer Award for Historical Fiction, rated 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Reader’s Favorite and the Coffee Pot Book Club - And Coming Soon!
A true story. A forgotten heroine. In a time when women were told to stay silent, could she become the saviour her people need?
12th-century England. Nicola de la Haye wants to do her duty. But though she’s taught a female cannot lead alone, the young noblewoman bristles at the marriage her father has arranged to secure her inheritance. And when an unexpected death leaves her unguided, the impetuous girl shuns the king’s blessing and weds a handsome-but-landless knight.
Harshly fined by Henry II for her unsanctioned union, Nicola struggles to salvage her estates while dealing with devastating betrayals from her husband… and his choice to join rebels in a brewing civil war. Yet after averting a tragedy and gaining the castle garrison’s respect, she still must face the might of powerful men determined to crush her under their will.
Can she survive love, threats, and violent ambition to prove she’s worthy of authority?
In this carefully researched and vividly human series debut, Rachel Elwiss Joyce showcases the complex themes of honour, responsibility, and freedom in the story of a remarkable heroine who men tried to erase from history. And as readers dive into a world defined by violence and turmoil, they’ll be stunned by this courageous young woman’s journey toward greatness.
Lady of Lincoln is the gritty first book in the Nicola de la Haye Series historical fiction saga. If you like richly textured female heroes, courtly drama, and fast-paced intrigue, then you’ll adore Rachel Elwiss Joyce’s gripping true-life tale.
A Reader’s Favorite Review:
“Joyce’s vivid prose and masterful storytelling immerse the reader deeply into the emotional landscapes of her protagonists, making their struggles and triumphs resonate long after the final page has been turned. This debut is not only impressive in its narrative depth but also remarkable in its ability to evoke thought and reflection long after the final page is turned.”
The Coffee Pot Book Club
“Because this story is based on real events and the author’s research is so detailed, this is more than a historical novel. It is also educational in showing readers the era, not just from the perspectives of the wealthy and the nobility, but also the humble peasant. This combination of historical record and social commentary marks this book as one of the greats in this genre. Nicola is deeply inspiring, innately courageous, and incredibly compassionate.”
“Rachel Elwiss Joyce vividly captures the tumultuous life of Nicola de la Haye and the political and social currents of medieval England. I adored the characters, especially Nicola, depicted as a resilient and fiercely independent woman. She is so skillfully developed that themes of loyalty, duty, and personal desire are directly linked to her. Set against the historical backdrop, the story explores conflicts between individual freedom and social norms, including marriage, inheritance, and political intrigue. The siege, riots, and courtly politics reflect the fraught historical setting, emphasizing the peril women faced in a male-dominated world. Lady of Lincoln presents a heroine you will love; her courage will inspire, and her fierce struggle for independence will have you rooting for her. This well written tale will transport you to the medieval era, allowing you to experience its conflicts and tensions.”
Reader’s Favorite Review
Lady of Lincoln, longlisted for the Chaucer Award for Historical Fiction and rated 5 stars by Reader’s Favorite and the Coffee Pot Book Club, is the first book in the Nicola de la Haye Trilogy, a series inspired by the extraordinary true story of a woman who defied kings, defended her castle, and became one of the most remarkable heroines of medieval England.
Lady of Lincoln tells the true story of the formative years of the forgotten heroine Nicola de la Haye, the young noblewoman who inherited Lincoln Castle, braved rebellion and betrayal, and fought to lead in a world that told her she could not.
Why I Chose Nicola de la Haye as My Heroine
Nicola isn’t a creation of legend or folklore. She was real — a formidable 12th- and 13th-century noblewoman who defied the expectations of her age. She inherited power in her own right, commanded a castle garrison, and, on at least three occasions, defended Lincoln Castle from siege.
Most famously, in 1217, when England teetered on the edge of conquest by Prince Louis of France, Nicola — then nearly seventy years old — refused to surrender her castle. She held the fortress until William Marshal’s army turned the tide in what chroniclers called the Battle of Lincoln Fair (or the Second Battle of Lincoln). Without her, English people might be speaking French!
Despite her extraordinary role, Nicola de la Haye has too often been left to the margins of history. Let’s bring her story back into the light!
About the Series
The Nicola de la Haye Trilogy brings to life the story of a woman history tried to erase. From the dangers of civil war to the intrigues of kings and barons, Nicola’s journey unfolds across three novels, covering:
Her youth and inheritance in Lincolnshire
Her marriages, struggles, and private battles
Her defiance of powerful men and her stand against kings
Her transformation into one of medieval England’s most remarkable women
Buy the books and transport yourself to the 12th and 13th Centuries with ‘the woman who saved England’!
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