According to a rather puritanical Parliamentarian, three women ruined the kingdom: Eve, for having brought sin into the world, the Catholic Queen Henrietta Maria, and Charlotte, the Countess of Derby, also a Catholic. There were also sneers at her husband, for it was said that of the two that she had proven herself the better soldier or, put more crudely, that she had stolen 'the Earl's breeches'. 
Granddaughter of William The Silent, Prince of Orange, Charlotte married the Earl of Derby, who was related to the English royal family, and found her a queen by his side in Lathom House, a massive and ancient fortress, considered 'the only Court' in the north. 
In 1643, with the Earl on the Isle of Man, the Countess was at Lathom House with two of her children, when it was besieged by Sir Thomas Fairfax, the Parliamentary General who wanted to have a bloodless surrender. 
After several summonses were delivered, the general attacked; Lady Derby's defence lasted three months till she was rescued by Prince Rupert. However, in 1645, with the Countess absent, her staff surrendered Lathom House to the Parliamentary forces.
 

Source: Leo van de Pas