Review: Lady of Lincoln by Rachel Elwiss Joyce

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.

My Review

Based on a real person, the Lady of Lincoln certainly broke all the rules. She ran her own castle, learned how to use a crossbow, dressed in men’s clothing when working, and refused to take the subservient role in any situation. Unfortunately, under certain circumstances she couldn’t say no: she had to have a husband who would take on the role of constable because it didn’t belong to a woman; or when the king ordered her to marry. Marriage haunted her from the very beginning. Her father chose a most suitable match, but he was at least ten years older than her. Horrors! Rather than that, she fell for a good-looking rogue and married him secretly just after her father died. Apparently, once the marriage was consummated, she got away with it. Her husband Fitz was far from ideal and soon ran through her fortune. Then he tried to redeem himself by siding with Harry, the young king and rebellious son of Henry II:

He’d brought Nicola only debt, but, with this he could make her rich. The plan seemed real, backed by the King of France, the Count of Flanders and even the Earl of Chester.

He stared into the flames. A log popped, and a spark landed on the floor, setting the rush mat on fire. He squashed the flames under his boot. Once the rebellion was underway, King Henry would clamp down on Harry’s known supporters, and, as Harry’s former household knight, he’d lose the castle anyway. But if the Young King succeeded, and Fitz hadn’t been on his side from the beginning, Harry would probably hand Nicola’s lands and the castle to Hugh of Chester.

You know how that turned out! Meanwhile, Nicola stoutly defended her castle as best as she could, harassed by the notorious Alured, who wanted her so badly he had paid the king two hundred marks for her hand in marriage (not knowing about her secret ceremony). Nonetheless, he managed to acquire the post of sheriff and head of her garrison. He then proceeded to terrorize everybody, including Nicola, who did her best to stand up to him. Alured was destined to be her evil persecutor, even claiming that she was legally betrothed to him. The poor girl was at her wits’ end. Her situation was a mess. But I have to say, I thought she kind of got what she deserved. I had to suspend my disbelief concerning the motivations of these characters, which I didn’t find entirely convincing. Nonetheless, it was an interesting read.

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/4980nW

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited

Meet Rachel Elwiss Joyce

After a rewarding career in the sciences, Rachel returned to her first love—history and the art of storytelling. Fascinated by the women history neglected, or tried to forget, she creates meticulously researched, emotionally resonant fiction that brings her characters’ stories vividly to life.

Her fascination with the past began early. At six years old, she was already inventing tales about medieval women in castles, inspired by her treasured Ladybird books and other picture-rich stories that transported her to another time. By the time she discovered Katherine by Anya Seton as a teenager, she knew the joy and escape that only great historical fiction can bring.

Rachel’s two grown-up children still tease her (fondly) about childhoods spent being “dragged” around castles, archaeological sites, and historical re-enactments. For Rachel, history and imagination have always gone hand in hand.

There was, however, a long gap between the stories of her childhood and her decision to write her own novel. The spark came when she discovered the remarkable true story of Nicola de la Haye—the first female sheriff of England, who defended Lincoln Castle against a French invasion and became known as “the woman who saved England,” Rachel knew she had found her heroine, and a story she was destined to tell.

Rachel lives in the UK, where she continues to explore the lives of women who shaped history but were left out of its pages.