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Battle of Lincoln Fair?

Lincoln Castle
Aerial view Lincoln Castle

Did you Know?

The Battle of Lincoln Fair in 1217 is little known, but it is the reason we're not French!

King John died in 1216, his son Henry only 9. The rebel barons invited the French to take over. The deciding battle was at Lincoln Castle where the elderly Lady Nichola de la Haye, as constable was besieged by the French. Henry was represented by William Marshall, known as 'the greatest knight in all the world'. Heavily out-numbered, Marshall by creating a diversion took the French by surprise. The French were pursued down Steep Hill, at huge disadvantage fighting going backwards downhill. William Marshall had led the Royalists to a stunning victory. This is not a battlefield as field – everything is still there – castle, cathedral, Newport Arch and Steep Hill. A chronicler of the time wrote ‘Nicholaa, not thinking about anything womanly, defended … [Lincoln] castle manfully’.

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