Some of the more enduring myths of history concern the role of women, especially in the middle ages, however this has been much misunderstood and falsely reported. In the novels: Magna Carta, by Austin Hernon some truths are laid bare and the role of two women in particular explored in the aftermath of King John’s disastrous rule.
In the time of the 13th century there were royal appointments of officials, one of which is that of, ‘Keeper of the King’s Forests.’ In Magna carta we explore the role of those appointments of the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire forests which together encompassed the land from Derbyshire to the North sea. A bold task for anyone.
During the time period in question those appointments were held by, in Nottinghamshire, (Sherwood) Matilda of Laxton, and in Lincolnshire, by Nicholaa of Lincoln. Both women inherited their positions as eldest child from their fathers and both women were confirmed in their appointments by three kings; King Richard, King John, and King Henry III.
In addition to Keeper, Nicholaa was also Constable of Lincoln castle and became Sherif of Lincoln town. In addition to this, Magna Carta also restored women’s rights of accession and inheritance which had been normally due to them in earlier Saxon times.
King John’s rebuttal of the 1215 Magna Carta saw the kingdom descend into chaos and civil war, led by the French Prince Louis who had been sent by his father King Philip, to help rebellious lords in England to chase King John off the throne and add England to France’s demolition of the Plantagenet dynasty.
By 1217 the war had reached Lincon, and Lincoln castle was under siege. Constable Nicholaa held firm until a relieving army reached her, while Matild launched intelligence gathering patrols and guided the English army marching up from the south to attack the castle from from the north, routing the rebels and beginning the fight-back which ultimately led to an English victory.
At the time Nicholaa was in her sixties and Matilda in her twenties, without these brave ladies we would no doubt be speaking French as part of a wider French empire.
Well done ladies, time to come out of the closet.
Find their story on Amazon and Waterstones.
Lincoln castle – under siege.
Drawing by Mathew Paris – Ancient manuscript.
Laxton castle, Nottinghamshire.
From, ‘Castles of Nottinghamshire.’ By James Wright – permission Nottinghamshire city library.