|
|
| More Women Rulers
(ruled 810-805 B.C.E.)
Aethelflaeda, Lady of the Mercians
Raziya, Sultana of the Muslim Empire of Northern India (reigned 1236-1240) She succeeded her father, the Sultan Altamsh (a former slave), whose long and glorious reign saw great military and cultural successes. She is the only Muslim woman to rule on Indian soil. She had to deal with religious conflicts between Sunni and Shia Muslim forces and succeeded in bringing about the victory of the Sunni. A contemporary historian called her "a great monarch . . . wise, just, and generous." Nevertheless, she was toppled in a palace coup by her own army. u19. What little-known mother of a famously romantic queen is actually judged by many to have been a far more effective ruler than her daughter?
Graìnne Mhaol (Grace O'Malley) (b. 1530)
(1353-1412) Her father termed her "nature's error" because she had not been born a man. Daughter of a king of Denmark, widow of a king of Norway, Margaret ruled first as regent for her minor son, Olaf II. On his early death, she continued her rule of Denmark and was shortly elected queen of the Norwegians. When she was asked for aid in expelling Albert of Mecklenburg from the throne of Sweden, her forces captured him in battle in 1389. Thus she succeeded in uniting all Scandinavia under her rule (in the Union of Kalmar) and was known as "the Semiramis of the North." That her success was not a military fluke is demonstrated by the fact that she instituted administrative structures that held the Union together for 200 years.
To contribute,
 |
|
|
She became regent after the death of her husband, King Shamshi-Adad V and
left a powerful impression of splendor and prosperity. She is credited with
rebuilding the city of Babylon and many monuments and personal inscriptions.
This daughter of Alfred the Great married Aethelred of the kingdom of
Mercia. When she was left a widow in 911, she ruled in his stead and
acquired a great reputation for wisdom and justice, while coordinating
Mercia's policy with that of Wessex in the reconquest of the Danelaw and the
conquest of Wales. She was killed while fighting the Danes. On her death,
her kingdom passed to her daughter Aelfwyn and was united with the West
Saxon lands of her brother, Edward the Elder, thus establishing the core of
medieval Britain.
An Irish princess and "pirate queen" (according to the
English), she was also a renowned war leader. Though married and the mother
of three children, she rose to command of three raiding ships with a total
crew of 200. Her fleet of ships staved off more than one attempted English
invasion. 
Though caught and jailed for two years, she went right back to her
anti-English activities as soon as she was released. Ultimately, she caused
so much trouble that she was invited to meet with Elizabeth I, who was so
impressed that she ordered the release of Graìnne's son and brother (who
had been taken as hostages), and awarded her a stipend for life.
"Colorful" hardly begins to describe this remarkable woman. 
click Sophia's torch