On this Day in History: The Second Battle of Lincoln, 1217. When England was Saved from French Rule by a Woman and an Old Man

Matthew Paris illustration of the Battle of Lincoln

In the heart of medieval England, the Second Battle of Lincoln on 20th May 1217 marked a pivotal moment in the First Barons’ War. Many argue that if it wasn't for this battle, we'd all be speaking French.

This clash, fought outside Lincoln Castle, not only shaped the future of the English crown and our very nation state but was the physical endgame after years of drama, disloyalty, and betrayal by a king and his barons alike. 

"We shall be a lily-livered lot if we do not now take revenge on those who have come from France to take for themselves the lands of our men, thinking to inherit the same. They seek our total destruction; so, in God’s name, let us play for the highest stakes, for, if victory is ours, we must truly bear in mind that honour will accrue to us, and that that heritage will be defended, for us and our descendants, which they shamefully wish to deprive us of." [L'Histoire de Guillaume le Maréchal]

In this battle, the legendary William Marshal, then in his seventies but known from his long years of campaigning and tourney-winning as the “greatest knight,” along with the lesser known Nicola de la Haye, constable of Lincoln Castle, helped secure England’s future. Let’s dive into this historic event and explore its under-recognised but huge significance.

What Was the Second Battle of Lincoln?

The Second Battle of Lincoln occurred during a turbulent period in English history. The First Barons’ War (1215–1217) erupted after rebellious barons, frustrated with what they saw as the tyranny of King John’s rule, invited Prince Louis of France (later Louis VIII) to claim the English throne. 

By 1217, Louis’s forces, allied with the barons, controlled much of southern England, including Lincoln Castle, which was under siege by royalist forces loyal to the boy-king Henry III; King John having died seven months before.  

On 20th May 1217, William Marshal, regent for the nine-year-old Henry III, led a royalist army to relieve the siege. The battle, sometimes called “The Fair of Lincoln” in jest by chroniclers like Roger of Wendover, saw the royalists decisively defeat the French and rebel forces, thankfully preventing England disintegrating under the yoke of irreversible French rule.

Key Players in the Battle

The Second Battle of Lincoln is a treasure trove of compelling characters for any historical fiction narrative:  

William Marshal: Known as the “greatest knight,” Marshal was a seasoned warrior and statesman in his 70s. His leadership and tactical brilliance turned the tide at Lincoln.  

Nicola de la Haye: Now known by many as "the woman who saved England," Nicola was a widow in her sixties. A formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle and first female sheriff in England, Nicola held the fortress, which she'd lived in and commanded for most of her life, for months against the French siege. 

Nicola de la Haye was the female constable of Lincoln Castle and very experienced at sieges

Thomas, Count of Perche: The French commander, young and idealistic, whose death during the battle was a crushing blow to Louis’s campaign.  

Prince Louis: The ambitious French prince who sought to seize the English crown but faced defeat at Lincoln.  

These figures, with their complex motivations and alliances, provide rich material for crafting gripping historical fiction.

The Battle Unfolds

The royalist forces, led by William Marshal, mustered at Newark and marched to Lincoln. The French and rebel barons, under the Count of Perche, were besieging Lincoln Castle, where Nicola de la Haye’s garrison, holding firm, were under heavy fire, the walls of the Castle crumbling under the force of the French siege engines. 

On 20th May Marshal’s army launched a daring assault. Using a combination of cavalry charges and strategic manoeuvres they breached two of the city gates whilst the garrison exploded from the Castle. Fierce street fighting ensued. The decisive moment came when, just outside the magnificent Norman Cathedral, the French commander, the Count of Perche, was killed with a dagger or sword strike through his great helm's eyeslit. The demoralised French forces soon surrendered or escaped the City.  

This victory was a turning point, weakening Louis’s campaign and securing Henry III’s claim to the throne. 

Why the Second Battle of Lincoln is still Important now

The clash of loyalties between English barons, a French prince, and a boy king was not just a dramatic moment in history: it changed the course of England's very future. England will forever be in debt to the courage of figures like Nicola de la Haye, a woman defying medieval gender norms, and the chivalric heroism of William Marshal. The battle’s gritty urban warfare, fought in the shadow of Lincoln Castle, can only be imagined.  

But more important: If the English hadn't won, perhaps we'd still be part of some huge French empire, speaking French. Who knows? But history would have been very, very different. 

The Battle of Lincoln Fair was more than a military victory; it was a defining moment that preserved English sovereignty. By defeating Louis’s forces, the royalists ensured that England remained under Plantagenet rule, paving the way for Henry III’s reign. The battle also cemented William Marshal’s legacy as a loyal servant of the crown and highlighted the strategic importance of fortified castles like Lincoln. 

Perhaps one day, Nicola de la Haye will also get the credit she deserves for saving England. Afterall, if she hadn't held out against all the odds in a prolonged siege, there would have been no battle, and the English may all have become French subjects.  

Explore the Battle Through Fiction

If you’re captivated by the drama of the Second Battle of Lincoln, I invite you to stayed tuned for my upcoming historical fiction novels, where the sights, sounds, and struggles of medieval England come alive. From the civil war of the Great Rebellion to the clashing swords of Lincoln’s streets during battle to the political intrigue of the First Barons’ War, my stories aim to transport you to this thrilling era. 

Follow my blog for more historical insights and stories, and let’s journey through the past together.