Nicholaa De La Haye And Agnes Of Dunbar

Heroines of the Medieval World by Sharon Bennett Connolly discusses many women but the two women that stood out amongst the rest were Nicholaa de la Haye and Agnes of Dunbar (Black Agnes). Even though these women existed during different times they both defended their castles and refused to surrender. Furthermore, when their fathers died the position that their father had went to their husbands and not to them. On top of these similarities both of these women were women warriors. Nicholaa was a women warrior because she participated in battle, held a high position in society, such as Sheriff of Lincoln, and she was determined. Nevertheless, Agnes of Dunbar was a women warrior because she participated in battle and was determined. Being that

An example, of this is when Connolly states “As her father had died in 1169, the position of constable of Lincoln Castle was passed through Nicholaa to her husband, as well as her lands in England and Normandy” (168). This line highlights how Nicholaa was succeeded for her father’s position since she was a girl and so the position went to her husband instead. Likewise, Patrick, Agnes’s husband, received Agnes’s father’s earldom instead of Agnes. For example, Connolly states “When Agnes’s father died in 1332, she was succeeded by her brother Thomas, who was killed just weeks later…. on John’s death, the earldom of Moray would pass to Agnes’s husband in right of his wife” (174). This quote reveals that just like Nicholaa, Agnes was or her succeeded for her father’s position since it went to her husband instead of her.

The biggest similarity that Nicholaa and Agnes share is they are both women warriors. Nicholaa was a women warrior because she was determined to protect the castle. For instance, Connolly

In Heroines of the Medieval World Connolly mentions “Agnes deliberately allowed herself to be besieged to give the Scottish forces time to rally and organize a resistance to the English invasion. Even so, it must have been a terrifying sight for the countless to look out from the battlements and see an army approaching… they could beat the countess and her reduced garrison” (175). This shows how Agnes participated in battle and even sacrificed herself for the greater of the nation. Moreover, Anges was a women warrior because she was determined and didn’t want to surrender. Connolly writes “The struggle against the English continued for several more years … Black Agnes passed into legend, her tenacity and stalwart defense of Dunbar Castle a shining example of what a mere woman can be capable of achieving” (177). This line emphasizes that due to Agnes determination she became an example of what women can