1217: The War We Forgot, The Nation It Saved
A review of Catherine Hanley's compelling new book: “1217: The Battles That Saved England”
For many—including myself—the general understanding of this chaotic corner of English history goes something like this: King John loses the support of his barons, Prince Louis of France is invited to take the throne, but after John dies, the barons change their minds and Louis is quietly packed off home. It all seems like a messy episode that sorted itself out. What Catherine Hanley’s 1217 revealed to me, however, is just how close England came to being conquered (again)—and how hard-fought and fragile the victory truly was. Far from being a footnote, the events of 1217 were a turning point in English history, and Hanley brings them to life with narrative clarity, historical depth, and a deep respect for her sources.
The book focuses on the dramatic final stages of the First Barons’ War. With John dead and his nine-year-old son Henry III placed on the throne, England was anything but secure. Prince Louis, already in control of much of the south and east, had real momentum—and real chances of victory. What followed were three key engagements: the Siege of Dover Castle, the Battle of Lincoln, and the naval Battle of Sandwich. Each was decisive. Each could have ended differently. And at every point, the fate of England hung in the balance.
Hanley doesn’t just walk us through the military events—she shows us the people behind them, and it’s through them that the stakes become personal. Chief among these figures is William Marshal, the regent for the boy-king Henry III. At nearly 70 years old, Marshal had little reason to take on the crushing responsibility of leading a broken kingdom, but his loyalty, reputation, and strategic sense held the royalist cause together. Hanley presents him not as a flawless hero, but as a man conscious of the burden of legacy and chivalry, acting as much from duty as from ambition, as evidenced in his actions (or lack of) during the sacking of Lincoln.
Then there is Nicola de la Haye, castellan of Lincoln Castle, whose resistance under siege was nothing short of extraordinary. As an elderly noblewoman in a male-dominated world, she was favoured by King John and held out against Prince Louis’s forces for weeks, refusing to surrender even as supplies dwindled and pressure mounted. Hanley gives Nicola her full due, portraying her as a calm, capable leader whose steadfastness quite literally bought time for the royalist counteroffensive. That her contributions were later dismissed by the very regime she helped save only sharpens the impact of her story.
Another key figure is Hubert de Burgh, justiciar of England and commander of the royalist fleet. His role in the Siege of Dover and Battle of Sandwich, a dramatic naval clash that cut off Louis’s reinforcements, are gripping chapters. Hanley highlights how de Burgh's strategic brilliance, unwavering loyalty and ruthless execution turned the tide. It’s a powerful reminder that medieval warfare wasn’t just fought on land—and that political survival depended on who controlled the sea.
What truly elevates 1217 is Hanley’s vivid and thoughtful use of primary sources. Rather than keeping chroniclers at arm’s length, she invites their voices directly into the text and it adds a very human account of the events that unfolded. Through the words of Roger of Wendover, The Anonymous of Bethune and Matthew Paris to name but a few, we’re given not just facts but perspectives—insight into how events were understood, how people behaved and judged at the time. This gives the narrative a sense of immediacy and emotional truth. You’re not just reading history—you’re hearing it unfold. Hanley does a great job of reading between the lines, guiding the reader through the bias of the sources as she presents them and uses this to her advantage in her retelling of 1217 from all available perspectives.
The Battle of Sandwich, as depicted in Matthew Paris’ Chronica Majora : Chronica Majora, II, fol. 52r (Wikimedia commons)
Hanley writes with the clarity of a seasoned historian and the confidence of a storyteller who knows exactly what matters. The book is concise, well-paced, and never drifts into academic excess. That said, readers unfamiliar with the period may need to pay close attention early on, as the context—especially the chaos of King John’s final years—comes fast. But even for newcomers, the drama and structure of the book make it easy to follow and hard to put down.
1217 is, in the end, a story of narrow margins and unlikely resilience. It shows how a small group of determined leaders, loyalists, and overlooked figures like Nicola de la Haye and William of Cassingham, a strong contender for the inspiration behind Robin Hood, helped steer a crumbling kingdom away from foreign rule and civil collapse. What could have been a conquest became instead a quiet, hard-won salvation and is a story that Hanley tells with tenacity and flare.
Thank you to Osprey publishing for the opportunity review this fantastic book. We highly recommend our readers grab a copy!
Written by Jessica Lawrence
1217: The Battles that Saved England, published by Osprey Publishing, is now available in Paperback at all good bookstores. You can buy your own copy directly from Osprey HERE
Catherine Hanley has a PhD in Medieval Studies, specialising in twelfth and thirteenth century warfare, and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. She has written six books of popular history including Matilda: Empress, Queen, Warrior (Yale University Press, 2019), which was named by both the Financial Times and BBC History Magazine as one of their ‘Best Books of 2019’.