Medieval and Renaissance Queens, Rulers
Women who ruled in medieval and renaissance times - queens, empresses, and others. Find biographies, etexts, some pictures, and links to even more resources for women rulers around the world.
Medieval Women Rulers
In the Middle Ages, men ruled -- except when women did. Here are a few of the medieval women who ruled -- in their own right in a few cases, as regents for male relatives in other cases, and sometimes by wielding power and influence through their husbands, sons, brothers, and grandsons.
In the Middle Ages, men ruled -- except when women did. Here are a few of the medieval women who ruled -- in their own right in a few cases, as regents for male relatives in other cases, and sometimes by wielding power and influence through their husbands, sons, brothers, and grandsons.
Blanche of Castile
A profile of Blanche of Castile, ruler of France twice as regent for her son, Saint Louis.
A profile of Blanche of Castile, ruler of France twice as regent for her son, Saint Louis.
Saint Adelaide
Second wife of Emperor Otto I, who rescued her from captivity, she ruled as a regent for her grandson Otto III with her daughter-in-law Theophano.
Second wife of Emperor Otto I, who rescued her from captivity, she ruled as a regent for her grandson Otto III with her daughter-in-law Theophano.
Amalasuntha - Queen of the Goths
Regent Queen of the Ostrogoths, her murder became the rationale for Justinian's invasion of Italy and defeat of the Goths. Unfortunately, we have only a few very biased sources for her life, but this profile attempts to read between the lines and come as close as we can to an objective telling of her story.
Regent Queen of the Ostrogoths, her murder became the rationale for Justinian's invasion of Italy and defeat of the Goths. Unfortunately, we have only a few very biased sources for her life, but this profile attempts to read between the lines and come as close as we can to an objective telling of her story.
Amina, Queen of Zazzua
A profile of Amina, Queen of Zazzua, who extended the territory of her people as a warrior queen.
A profile of Amina, Queen of Zazzua, who extended the territory of her people as a warrior queen.
Anna
Daughter of Theophano and the Byzantine Emperor Romanus II, and thus sister of the Theophano who married western Emperor Otto II, Anna was married to Vladimir I of Kiev -- and her marriage was the occasion of his conversion, beginning the official conversion of Russia to Christianity.
Daughter of Theophano and the Byzantine Emperor Romanus II, and thus sister of the Theophano who married western Emperor Otto II, Anna was married to Vladimir I of Kiev -- and her marriage was the occasion of his conversion, beginning the official conversion of Russia to Christianity.
Brunhilde
A Visigoth princess, she married a Frankish king, then revenged her murdered sister by starting a 40-year war with a rival kingdom. She fought for her son, grandsons and great-grandson, but was finally defeated and the kingdom lost to the rival family.
A Visigoth princess, she married a Frankish king, then revenged her murdered sister by starting a 40-year war with a rival kingdom. She fought for her son, grandsons and great-grandson, but was finally defeated and the kingdom lost to the rival family.
Edith (Eadgyth) of England
Daughter of King Edward the Elder of England, she was married off to the Emperor Otto I as his first wife.
Daughter of King Edward the Elder of England, she was married off to the Emperor Otto I as his first wife.
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Eleanor of Aquitaine, queen of France and England through her two marriages and ruler of her own territories by right of birth, was one of the most powerful women of the world in the twelfth century. This profile highlights her key contributions.
Eleanor of Aquitaine, queen of France and England through her two marriages and ruler of her own territories by right of birth, was one of the most powerful women of the world in the twelfth century. This profile highlights her key contributions.
Elizabeth I of England
From your About Guide to Women's History: the life and writings of Queen Elizabeth I of England.
From your About Guide to Women's History: the life and writings of Queen Elizabeth I of England.
Fredegund
She worked her way up from servant to mistress to queen consort, and then ruled as her son's regent. She talked her husband into murdering his second wife, but that wife's sister, Brunhilde, queen of the neighboring kingdom, wanted revenge -- and so followed forty years of war. Fredegund is chiefly remembered for her assassinations and other cruelties.
She worked her way up from servant to mistress to queen consort, and then ruled as her son's regent. She talked her husband into murdering his second wife, but that wife's sister, Brunhilde, queen of the neighboring kingdom, wanted revenge -- and so followed forty years of war. Fredegund is chiefly remembered for her assassinations and other cruelties.
Isabella of France
Wife of Edward II of England, she helped arrange his removal and murder, then ruled with her lover as regent for her son before being banished to a nunnery.
Wife of Edward II of England, she helped arrange his removal and murder, then ruled with her lover as regent for her son before being banished to a nunnery.
Queen Isabella I of Spain
Queen of Castile and Aragon, she ruled equally with her husband, Ferdinand. She's known in history for sponsoring Christopher Columbus' expedition that discovered the New World; read about other reasons she's remembered.
Queen of Castile and Aragon, she ruled equally with her husband, Ferdinand. She's known in history for sponsoring Christopher Columbus' expedition that discovered the New World; read about other reasons she's remembered.
Mary I
Daughter of Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, Mary's reign in England attempted to restore Roman Catholicism. The execution of Protestants as heretics earned her the sobriquet "Bloody Mary."
Daughter of Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, Mary's reign in England attempted to restore Roman Catholicism. The execution of Protestants as heretics earned her the sobriquet "Bloody Mary."
Mary of Burgundy
A biographical sketch of Mary of Burgundy, whose marriage brought the Netherlands to the Habsburg dynasty and whose son brought Spain into the Habsburg sphere.
A biographical sketch of Mary of Burgundy, whose marriage brought the Netherlands to the Habsburg dynasty and whose son brought Spain into the Habsburg sphere.
Mary of Guise
A biography of Mary of Guise, part of the powerful Guise family of France, wife of James V of Scotland, and mother of Mary, Queen of Scots.
A biography of Mary of Guise, part of the powerful Guise family of France, wife of James V of Scotland, and mother of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Anna Nzinga
A profile of Anna Nzinga, warrior queen in what is today Angola, who led a resistance campaign against the Portuguese and against slave trading.
A profile of Anna Nzinga, warrior queen in what is today Angola, who led a resistance campaign against the Portuguese and against slave trading.
Olga of Russia
A cruel and revengeful ruler as regent for her son, she was the first Russian saint in the Orthodox Church, for her efforts in converting the nation to Christianity.
A cruel and revengeful ruler as regent for her son, she was the first Russian saint in the Orthodox Church, for her efforts in converting the nation to Christianity.
Peace of the Ladies Paix des Dames)
It was called the Peace of the Ladies or Paix des Dames. What was this treaty and why did it get that interesting name?
It was called the Peace of the Ladies or Paix des Dames. What was this treaty and why did it get that interesting name?
Empress Suiko
Although the legendary rulers of Japan, before written history, were said to be empresses, Suiko is the first empress in recorded history to rule Japan. During her reign, Buddhism was promoted official0y, Chinese and Korean influence increased, and, according to tradition, a 17-article constitution was adopted.
Although the legendary rulers of Japan, before written history, were said to be empresses, Suiko is the first empress in recorded history to rule Japan. During her reign, Buddhism was promoted official0y, Chinese and Korean influence increased, and, according to tradition, a 17-article constitution was adopted.
Which Tudor Queen Are You? A Women's History Quiz
A fun way to explore Tudor women's history: take the quiz and find out which Tudor queen is most like you.
A fun way to explore Tudor women's history: take the quiz and find out which Tudor queen is most like you.
Women of the 10th Century
A timeline showing notable women of the 10th century. In the middle of the medieval period, a few women contribute their names to the public record. They appear as queens, empresses and consorts of powerful men, or as regents for sons and grandsons -- but occasionally as artists, military leaders, political manipulators and writers.
A timeline showing notable women of the 10th century. In the middle of the medieval period, a few women contribute their names to the public record. They appear as queens, empresses and consorts of powerful men, or as regents for sons and grandsons -- but occasionally as artists, military leaders, political manipulators and writers.
Women Rulers Throughout the Ages
This page links to a series of pages documenting women in positions of political authority -- queeens, empresses, other rulers. Check by era or by country.
This page links to a series of pages documenting women in positions of political authority -- queeens, empresses, other rulers. Check by era or by country.
Great African Queens
Mini-biographies of thirteen female African rulers: Amina, Candace, Cleopatra VII, Dahia-Al Kahina, Hatshepsut, Makeda, Nandi, Nefertari, Nefertiti, Nehanda, Nzingha, Tiye, Yaa Asantewa.
Mini-biographies of thirteen female African rulers: Amina, Candace, Cleopatra VII, Dahia-Al Kahina, Hatshepsut, Makeda, Nandi, Nefertari, Nefertiti, Nehanda, Nzingha, Tiye, Yaa Asantewa.
The Hours of Jeanne d'Evreux: Prayer Book for a Queen
A fourteenth century prayer book of Jeanne d'Evreux, 14th century Queen of France and patron of arts. From the Metropolitan Museum of Art's online exhibits.
A fourteenth century prayer book of Jeanne d'Evreux, 14th century Queen of France and patron of arts. From the Metropolitan Museum of Art's online exhibits.
Swedish Queens
A chronological list of queens of Sweden. Each is linked to a short biographical sketch of the queen; the English is a bit funky but the information is good.
A chronological list of queens of Sweden. Each is linked to a short biographical sketch of the queen; the English is a bit funky but the information is good.
Empress Wu Zetian (625-705 AD)
Biography, part of a larger set of curriculum resources on women in world history.
Biography, part of a larger set of curriculum resources on women in world history.