And she wasn’t supposed to lead…

And yet—she did.

She didn’t set out to defy anyone. She didn’t burn with ambition, or plot her way to power. She was young. She wanted love. She was raised to trust men to handle the weight of responsibility. And yet, by the time her story was done, she’d held command of one of England’s greatest castles, faced down rebellions, navigated the treachery and ambition of the marriage market, and made choices that shaped the future of a kingdom.

All while being told—again and again—that women weren’t made for leadership.

Her life is a story of survival, yes. But also one of transformation. Of a girl growing into a leader, not through destiny or magic or prophecy—but through pain, grit, and the unrelenting pressure of history.

And now, nearly nine centuries later, I’ve had the immense privilege of bringing her back to life.

The novel is nearly complete. The title is final. The cover is coming. And in a few months, I’ll get to introduce her to you properly.

If you’ve ever loved a forgotten heroine, a story that rewrites what history thought it knew, or a tale where power is claimed quietly, stubbornly, and against all odds—this one’s for you.

Stay tuned. There’s more to come.

Subscribe for news on Rachel’s forthcoming novel about a remarkable medieval woman.

Medieval Woman and Crossbow

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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The Secret Is Out: The Heroine of Rachel’s Upcoming Novel is… Nicola de la Haye

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The Battle of Fornham: When a Countess Rode to War and Changed Medieval England Forever