Sharon Bennett Connolly’s first solo biography is an absolute delight! It is high time that the formidable Nicola de la Haye, the only female sheriff in English history had a book devoted to her and her remarkable life.

Some might judge Nicola for the fact that she sided with King John during the so called “Baron’s War” in the early 1200s, but Nicola’s family had a long history of loyal service to the crown and to the Plantagenet dynasty. Furthermore, her choice was as much about protecting her descendants and her family, as well as their patrimony, as it was of serving King John.

Nicola, in the end wasn’t just a great survivor (defending Lincoln Castle in her 70s was her most famous feat): she was a vital supporter of King John’s son, Henry III, and helped bring an end to the civil war which concluded John’s reign. Making and securing peace is perhaps more important than who one supports in wartime, and Nicola did that.

She was also a strong and capable woman, which gave rise to a family of just such women. The name Nicola was common in and around Lincolnshire for many years after her death because of her.

Thanks to Pen and Sword for approving me for this fascinating book on Netgalley. This did not influence my opinions and I was not required to write a review.

My initial problem is with the title: King John's Right Hand Lady.

Whilst the historical Nicholaa / Nicola / Nichola was a loyal supporter of King John, to say that she was his "right hand" - his "Sir Hiss" or his "Sheriff of Nottingham" to use more populist references - would be highly incongruous. Roger of Wendover's "abbetors of iniquity" list does not mention Nicholaa, and at Runnymeade it is Archibishop Langton, William Marshall and Hubert de Burgh who are acknowledged as his advisors. So I am at a loss as to where Nicholaa sits in all of this.

Its all well and good to bring forth a tome on a notable person, but to ascribe to them more than their due is being disingenuous to the reader and playing fast, loose and false with the subject at hand.

Now for the rest: the tome contains lots of events not directly linked to Nicholaa; lots of repetition of information; and lots of information of family and familial connections. If you have read any of Bennett Connolly's other books on the period you will notice that they all cross over into each other, containing the same information, on the same people, over the same period. "But this her area afterall" I hear you say. Sure - that's fine, but each tome doesn't need to feel like it needs to include the previous ones as part of it.

The extent of research is evident ... literally! But there is just not enough on Nicholaa to cover the 180 odd ages of relevant text. History is littered with many similar such stories -this is just one.

In Sharon Bennett Connolly's new book, ‘King John's Right Hand Lady: the Story of Nicholaa de la Haye,’ a remarkable 12-13th century woman is brought to life. In a world dominated by men, not only was Nicholaa able to hold her own, but she even had her abilities publicly acknowledged by the husbands she married and the king's she served.

This book first piqued my interest because it brought to mind a woman whose name I had first read in passing many years ago, in one of Sharon Kay Penman’s novels. A woman serving as constable and sheriff in medieval England? Of course I had to read more! And I am so glad that I did.

Whilst I have read many wonderful new releases so far this year, and I look forward to reading and reviewing many more, I have to say this has been my favourite so far. Not only is Nicholaa’s story fascinating, the way Sharon presents her impeccable scholarship is second-to-none.

I hold this book up as the gold standard for how history should be written. Sharon does not just tell the narrative history, but actually presents the primary sources, showing not just what we know of Nicholaa's life, but how we know it. It is wonderful to be able to read the sources and see how Sharon pieced together Nicholaa’s life and family. Where sources raise more questions than they answer, Sharon does not just run with a chosen narrative version, but admits to the ambiguities and gaps in the historical record, and where relevant, offers multiple theories as to what really happened.

I must thank Sharon Bennett Connolly of History the Interesting Bits for bringing this fascinating woman out of the shadows, and for doing so in such an illuminating way.

Also, thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for giving me the opportunity to review what has become my favourite work of medieval scholarship.

#kingjohnsrighthandlady #NetGalley

In King John’s Right Hand Lady, Sharon Bennett Connolly explores the life of Nicholaa de la Haye, a powerful noblewoman in her own right that was central to John I’s maintenance of power in central England. Connolly traces the lineage of the de la Haye family from Normandy to Lincoln and the circumstances that led to Nicholaa becoming her family’s heir. Connolly then tracks Nicholaa’s marriage to Gerard de Camville and her appointment as constable of Lincoln, a critical seat of King John’s power in the early thirteenth century, as well as the lives of her descendants who married into powerful families such as the Earls of Salisbury. Connolly’s devotion to uncovering Nicholaa de la Haye’s life and her time in power as the constable of Lincoln in her own right is reflected throughout the book, and Connolly’s clear familiarity with the time period and the de la Haye family makes this book an incredibly fascinating read. Her prose and detail provides the reader with a complete understanding of the complicated late twelfth and early thirteenth century politics in London and the power struggles between various nobles and the sons of Henry II, and Connolly explains this wonderfully.

I had many thoughts on this one.Some good,some bad but what struck me was the lack of good organisation.There were many,many pages devoted to Nicholas's family background and the players around her and I felt overwhelmed by it all and that was just the beginning.I thought the author should have set the backgrounds of the players in the context of the story.Instead by the time I got to the narrative I was pretty confused.In all honesty I did enjoy what narrative there was especially the battle scenes at the castle and I did pickup on Nicholas's character.Over all though I think this might be good for someone with a deep interest in the politics of the times not necessarily a general reader.

An engrossing account of a little-known historical figure and the pivotal role she played in late 12th/early 13th century history and politics. This is one of those rare books that is scrupulously researched and scholarly but also grips like a novel. Setting the character of Nicolaa de la Haye in her historical context, "King John's Right Hand Lady" casts light on the remarkable story of the woman who was England's first female sheriff, and in doing so casts a fascinating light on the character of Nicolaa herself as well as the age she lived in. highly recommended.

'A most able adversary for some of the greatest military minds of the time, and a loyal supporter of King John, Nicholaa de la Haye was unique among her peers.' Indeed an annalist praised her 'manfully' actions but history has not adequately recorded this remarkable woman born in the 12th Century.

Sharon Bennett Connolly has sought to redress this glaring gap utlising both primary and secondary sources to weave together a well-researched and qualified biography; from Nicholaa's ancestors, through to marriages, children, and allegiance. To have ultimately become a trusted leader of King John, 'England's worst King', should be a testament to Nicholaa's strong character. To successfully hold off a siege that lasted months shows downright tenacity. But to be appointed sheriff of Lincolnshire before King John's death shows true regard for her leadership.

Bennett Connolly has put a lot of time and heart into this biography. Although relying on rummaging through scattered medieval recordings to learn more about Nicolaa, it is clear that hard facts can be scant. However, Bennett Connolly is very careful to qualify and cross-reference any surmising on her part in order to be as accurate as possible, yet still tell a story. History lovers will enjoy learning about this unique lady whom history nearly forgot. History academics will relish the depth of research, end notes, appendices, and comprehensive biography.

'Heiress, widow, castellan, sheriff, and war leader - Lady Nicholaa de la Haye.'

The year is 1217, and Lincoln Castle is being attacked. King John is dead, and his son Henry III is now king, but chaos still reigns. Noblemen are fighting against each other, and amid this conflict is a woman in her sixties. She is used to the instability of England as she is not only the constable of the castle being besieged, but she has earned the right to be named the first female sheriff of England. She was a daughter, a wife, a mother, a widow, and someone the Plantagenets could depend on. The name of this remarkable woman is Nicholaa de la Haye, and her unbelievable story is told in Sharon Bennett Connolly’s latest book, “King John’s Right Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye.”

I want to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I remember first hearing the name Nicholaa de la Haye from one of Sharon Bennett Connolly’s other books, “Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England.” I wanted to learn more about this woman, how she gained the trust of King John, and why she was not only a constable of Lincoln Castle but a sheriff for Lincolnshire.

To understand how Nicholaa de la Haye became the constable of Lincoln Castle, we have to explore the origins of the Haye family and their connection to the Plantagenets. Connolly tracks the family back to the Norman Conquest, but the main focus is on the direct family of Richard de la Haye and Matilda de Verdun, Nicholaa’s parents. The Haye family has a legacy and a deep sense of duty to protect the English royal family from invaders or rebels, which passed on to Nicholaa and her sisters as they were their father’s heiresses. With Richard de la Haye’s death, Nicholaa inherited his role as constable of Lincoln Castle.

Nicholaa de la Haye was married twice to William Fitz Erneis and Gerard de Camville, and she had several children. When her husbands were away or had died, Nicholaa could uphold her birthright as a constable. It was not an easy road, but she did have the backing of King John during the First Baron’s War. Connolly takes the time to explore how John became king, his connection with Nicholaa de la Haye, the Magna Carta crisis, and the First Baron’s War. Before his death, King John named Nicholaa the first female sheriff of England in charge of Lincolnshire. Finally, she had to deal with the siege of Lincoln Castle for three months in 1217, which was just a cherry on top of her whole life experience.

A strong, independent woman who lived a thrilling life and was willing to defend her home of Lincoln Castle even at the age of sixty, Nicholaa de la Haye was an unsung heroine of the thirteenth century. Connolly’s passion for telling Nicholaa’s tale of trials and tribulations exudes on every page. “King John’s Right Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye” by Sharon Bennett Connolly is the perfect book for anyone who wants a story about the Plantagenets, King John, and the first female sheriff of England. A true triumph in exploring the life of a more hidden figure from the thirteenth century.