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Sharon Bennett Connolly
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King John's Right Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye Hardcover – 3 May 2023

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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…
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  1. ISBN-10
    1526756064
  2. ISBN-13
    978-1526756060
  3. Publisher
    Pen & Sword History
  4. Publication date
    3 May 2023
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    16.51 x 2.54 x 24.77 cm
  7. Print length
    240 pages
  8. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
19 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book very well researched and well written. They also appreciate the enthusiasm, knowledge, and enthusiasm.

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Level of detailWriting style
5 customers mention ‘Level of detail’5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very well researched, well written, and precise. They also say it's understanding for varied historian levels.

"...The research underpinning this book is absolutely stunning. It also has a superb bibliography, end notes and index which I intend diving into...." Read more

"...has done her full justice in this very detailed, well-written and precise book that leaves the reader in no doubt that Nicholaa was a formidable and..." Read more

"...Sharons biography certainly tells of her exploits in a very informative way, using all the resources available...." Read more

"...Very well researched and explained and written with enthusiasm, knowledge and understanding for varied historian levels." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Writing style’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style accessible, well-written, and great reads. They also say the books really dive into the lives of the characters.

"...This is a masterful and scholarly work that is also accessible and well-written...." Read more

"...Bennett Connolly has done her full justice in this very detailed, well-written and precise book that leaves the reader in no doubt that Nicholaa was..." Read more

"...Very well researched and explained and written with enthusiasm, knowledge and understanding for varied historian levels." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

CAROL MCGRATH
5.0 out of 5 stars A Fascinating medieval woman with Agency
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 August 2023
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this excellent non fiction about the life and times of Nicholaa de La Haye who is a testament to the strength of a medieval woman with agency. She was constable of Lincoln Castle and Sheriff of Lincolnshire on occasion as well. She was loyal to the Crown and interestingly to King John.

The research underpinning this book is absolutely stunning. It also has a superb bibliography, end notes and index which I intend diving into. This is a masterful and scholarly work that is also accessible and well-written. It provides a thorough background to her life explaining with clarity her genealogy ( fascinating ) and her connections throughout a long well-lived life during the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. I met very interesting characters along the way. However, the chapters explaining her determined defense of Lincoln Castle on three occasions and in particular against the French in 1217 had me on the edge of my seat. Nail biting material well told. Even so, it is the thorough background to her life and wide connections, her two marriages that absorbed my attention most of all. This excellent book is highly recommended for anyone interested in the role of strong medieval women in their society during these two centuries. I simply cannot praise this brilliant scholarly work about an intriguing medieval noblewoman enough.
2 people found this helpful
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Mr. P. F. Field
5.0 out of 5 stars A detailed, precise account of a woman few have heard of. But should have!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 October 2023
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Nicholaa de la Haye is a medieval heroine that few have heard of. She was custodian of Lincoln castle, then sheriff of Lincoln and twice held off enemy forces. In her 60s, she held Lincoln castle against the French invaders of Louis-Philippe who had overrun the city, and aided by William Marshal’s forces threw the French out. In 1216, she asked King John to allow her to “retire” but he begged her to reconsider. She did.

It is high time somebody wrote about this amazing lady. Sharon Bennett Connolly has done her full justice in this very detailed, well-written and precise book that leaves the reader in no doubt that Nicholaa was a formidable and steadfast woman in a man’s world. I wonder if she reminded John of his equally formidable mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Called “manly” by contemporary chroniclers who didn’t quite know how to describe her, Nicholaa proved a solid bulwark in a time when England was in chaos and upheaval. No wonder she is revered in Lincoln. Brava!
One person found this helpful
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Gill Gillard
5.0 out of 5 stars A medieval woman who broke the mould
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 September 2023
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An excellent book for lovers of the medieval period. As a born and bred Lincolonian I knew of Nicholaa de la Haye but not about her. Sharons biography certainly tells of her exploits in a very informative way, using all the resources available. It's always difficult to flesh out the actual personality and appearance of people of this era but through this story you can glean so much about this incredible woman. It was definitely a man's world and Nicholaa more than stood out. She towers over her husband and children and even the king by her example of steadfastness and loyalty, her unbreakable determination to hold onto what was hers and her family's rights and wealth. Sharon has done some very painstaking research which I must admit leads to some complex descriptions of ancestral lines and heritage. I would have welcomed some family trees and definitely a glossary of terms. I appreciated the Magna Carta and Charter of the Forest appendices. I'm looking forward to my next Sharon Bennett Connolly treat
One person found this helpful
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Nic(h)ola(a)
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating as always
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 August 2023
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Having read Sharon's books before I'm always fascinated to find out about some of the lesser known ladies from our history. I have been looking forward to her Nicholaa book for a while, knowing how passionate Sharon is for her! As with her other books they are great reads and really dive into the lives of those involved. Very well researched and explained and written with enthusiasm, knowledge and understanding for varied historian levels.
One person found this helpful
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frank.a/s
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 September 2023
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Great book so informative
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Lubu
1.0 out of 5 stars Tangential biography
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 December 2023
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I hate to not finish a book but I just couldn't. Not much information on the subject so the text wanders far too much on setting the scene and other characters. It's a common issue with a lack information on women in history but it would have been better to shorten the book.
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Elizabeth
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but slow paced.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 May 2024
I liked this but thought the style quite stilted. I am new to Pen and Sword books though and have generally been very impressed.
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Helen Musson
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 November 2023
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Brilliant!
One person found this helpful
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