Long-listed for the 2025 Chaucer Award for Historical Fiction

Book Cover for LADY OF LINCOLN

Book Cover for LADY OF LINCOLN: Long-listed for the 2025 Chaucer Award for Historical Fiction.

On this St Luke’s Day, feast of the patron saint of writers, healers, and artists, I’m overjoyed to share the cover of my debut historical novel, LADY OF LINCOLN — a story inspired by one of England’s most extraordinary medieval women, Nicola de la Haye.

A Woman Who Defied Kings

LADY OF LINCOLN opens in the twelfth century, amid brewing rebellion. This is the untold story of the eventful early life of a noblewoman and castellan who would become known as “the woman who saved England.”

Medieval England...

A Civil war...

A teenage heiress...

A disastrous marriage...

What happens when a girl expected to yield… chooses to lead?

An Honour Before the Journey Begins

Before the novel even reaches readers, I’m humbled that Lady of Lincoln has been long-listed for the 2025 Chaucer Award for pre-1750 historical fiction — recognition that celebrates exceptional storytelling rooted in the medieval world.

For a book about a woman who fought to have her worth recognised, that acknowledgement feels especially meaningful.

Publication Details

Title: LADY OF LINCOLN
Author: Rachel Elwiss Joyce
Publisher: Hedgehog Books
Planned Launch Date: 6 March 2026 - The Day, in 1173, the Great Rebellion started.
Genre: Historical Fiction | Medieval England | Based on True Events

Join Me on the Journey

Over the coming weeks I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes posts about the about Nicola and her world.

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If the story of Nicola de la Haye speaks to you, please share this post or tag a friend who loves historical fiction.
Together, let’s let Lincoln’s lady shine.

#LadyOfLincoln #CoverReveal #HistoricalFiction #MedievalWomen #ChaucerAward #LincolnCastle #NicolaDeLaHaye #NicholaaDeLaHaye #BookAward #NovelAward

Rachel Elwiss Joyce

Rachel Elwiss Joyce, Author of Historical Fiction.

Exploring power, loyalty, and love in turbulent medieval England.

Rachel came to novel writing later in life, but she has always been passionate about history, storytelling, and the forgotten voices of women. She writes meticulously researched, immersive historical fiction that brings overlooked heroines into the light.

She started inventing tales about medieval women living in castles when she was just six years old—and never stopped. But when she discovered the extraordinary story of Nicola de la Haye, the first female sheriff, who defended Lincoln Castle from a French invasion and became known as ‘the woman who saved England’, Rachel knew she had found a heroine worth telling the world about.

Lady of Lincoln is her debut novel, the first book in her Nicola de la Haye Series, with sequels to follow.

https://rachelelwissjoyce.com
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LADY OF LINCOLN and the Cutting Room Floor…