What a medieval woman taught me about modern leadership

When we think about Lady Elizabeth de Clare, the formidable medieval heiress and foundress of Clare College Cambridge, it’s tempting to imagine her as a character in a world of lords, castles, and chroniclers, conjuring up images from hit TV series like The Game of Thrones. But if you were to ask what she was really like, the answer might surprise you. Knowing Her Own Mind Lady Elizabeth once said that “we ought to know better than others what our intentions are.” That conviction of self-awareness and purpose feels deeply modern. She knew who she was and refused to let others define her. Despite a life marked by political turbulence and personal loss, she remained remarkably clear-headed about her role, her responsibilities, and her values. Loyal to a Fault Her loyalty to friends and allies was unwavering, though not always profitable. In an era when alliances were currency, Lady Elizabeth’s personal bonds often outweighed business sense. Yet that same devotion gave her a rare reputation for trustworthiness. Even after her death, her venture partners and estate managers were treated as extended family. The Art of Keeping Count Lady Elizabeth was meticulous, almost parsimonious, in her record-keeping. Her household books reveal a woman who believed in accountability: noting who owed what, to whom, and when it was due. Every penny and promise mattered. Her approach was pragmatic, not romantic, which is the hallmark trait of a woman who understands power in practical terms. The Long View Despite devastating losses including imprisonment and mistreatment by both King Edward II and her third husband Sir Damory, Elizabeth endured because she thought in decades, not days. Even when stripped of favour, fortune and freedom, she managed her affairs with strategic patience, gradually restoring her wealth and autonomy. Throughout her life, and particularly after the death of her first husband, the Earl of Ulster John de Burgh, Lady Elizabeth often relied on what we might now ca...