The west wing of the Art, Architecture and Design Building has been renamed the Nicola de la Haye Building in an event to mark the importance of influential women in Lincolnshire.
Vice Chancellor Professor Mary Stuart was joined by influential women from across Lincolnshire on Friday 19th May at a ceremony to rename the building, where a new portrait and plaque have been unveiled.
The Vice Chancellor welcomed Ursula Lidbetter, Chief Executive of the Lincolnshire Co-operative, Christine Wilson, the Dean of Lincoln Cathedral and Angela Andrews, Chief Executive at Lincoln City Council to the breakfast event.
Frequently referred to as ‘the woman who saved England’, Lady Nicola de la Haye was the castellan of Lincoln Castle during the Battle of Lincoln in 1217.
While much of England had been taken by the combined French and rebel English forces, Nicola and her garrison remained loyal to King Henry III, successfully defending the strategically vital fortification and influencing the course of English history.
The official renaming of the building took place on the eve of the 800th anniversary of the Battle of Lincoln and celebrated the contribution of Nicola de la Haye and the other influential women of Lincolnshire past and present.