Around 1550s Paramount Chieftainess Borkia of Mambolo (Sierra Leone)

Migrated from Guinea in the mid-16th century, most likely as part of the Mane invasion. Her chiefdom was conquered by Bullom warriors after a very short period.

 

Around 1550s Paramount Chieftainess Baimba Mariama Kallay of Mongo (Sierra Leone)

Came in the mid 16th century from Maly after the fall of the Empire.

 

1550-74 Sovereign Duchess Marguerite de France of Berry (France)

Daughter of François I of France and Duchess Claude de Bretagne, she was married to Emmanuel-Philibert, duc de Savoie, and lived (1523-74).

 

 

1550-83 Joint Administator Duchess Antoinette de Bourbon-La Marche of the Duchies of Aumale and Guise (France)

Demonstrated considerable administrative talent at domestic economy as well as in the running of the vast Guise dominions

surrounding their chateau of Joinville after the death of her husband, Duke Claude de Guise, together with her daughter-in-law, Anna d’Este. Described as a remarkable woman, combining a strong sense of family pride with a wry sense of humour, she exerted a powerful influence on the childhood of her granddaughter Mary, Queen of Scots during the latter’s thirteen-year sojourn in France, and was one of her principal advisors, and acted as proxy for her daughter, Mary of Guise during the betrothal ceremony of the Queen of Scots and the Dauphin Francis in 1558. Her two other daughters were Abbesses, Renée de Guise of St. Pierre in Reims and Antoinette de Joinville of Faremoutiers. Also mother of 9 sons. The daughter of Count François de Vendôme and Marie de Luxembourg, she lived (1493-1583).

 

1550-66 Joint Administrator Duchess Anna d’Este of France of the Duchies of Aumale and Guise (France)
1550-1607 Politically Influential in France

During her marriage to Francis de France, Duke of Aumale and Guise, she was in charge of the family estates and the enormous fortunes of the Guise after the death of her father-in-law, Claude. At court she was active on behalf of her father, Duke Ercole II d’Este of Ferrara, and acted as mediator between France and Ferrara. In 1563 her husband was assassinated. She held the leader of the French Huguenots, Gaspard de Coligny, responsible for the assault and her contemporaries considered her responsible for the shot which was fired on him in 1572 and which became the starting signal for the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre. 1566 she had married Jacques de Savoie, Duke of Nemours and Genevois, and spent most of her time in Annecy or on the road between Genevois and the court of France. She acted as mediator between her husband and the Duke of Savoie, and still claimed a prominent place in official ceremonies at the French Court. After the death Jacques in 1585 she lived in Paris. With the formation of the Catholic League, in which her sons played a prominent part, her importance increased again. In 1588 King Henri III ordered the murder of her two oldest sons and her imprisonment. Some contemporaries also held her responsible for the assassination of the king. During the siege of Paris by Henri IV, she was declared “queen-mother” by the League, but after his conversion to Catholicism, she recognized him and tried to convince her sons to do the same. She spent her last years in the highly respectable position of “superintendante de la maison” of the Queen Marie de’ Medici. Her mother, Renée de France, was Duchess of Chartres 1515-75. She lived (1531-1607).

 

1550-82 Adelantada Catalina Montejo of Yucatán (Mexico)

Inherited position of Adelantado (a kind of governor/landowner) jointly with her husband, Alonso Maldonado. After his death she was in charge of the area alone.

 

1550/55-71 Princess-Abbess Agathe Heggenzer von Wassersteltz Säckingen (Germany)

After the resignation of Fürstäbtissin Magdalene no canonisses remained in the chapter and the “grand verge” (Grossmeier) Hans Jakob von Schönau acted as administrator, but the Austrian Government and Bishop Christoph Metzler of Konstantz asked the 3 canons to elect an Abbess. At the time she was a nun at St. Katharinental bei Diessehhof and she is known to have been in Säckingen at lest 1552 together with another nun from her original convent but she did not take office until 1555. She restored the chapter and is seen as it’s second founder, brought it back on its feet economically, and restored the church. The water supply was renewed and several treaties were made between the Chapter and the city of Säckingen.. She also introduced new and more sombre status and reinstated the secular authority of the chapter which the Grossmeier had “ursurped” during the interregnum. She was daughter of Landvogt Johan Melchior Heggenzer.

 

1550-61 Acting County Sheriff Eline Mogensdatter Gøye of the County of Skjoldnæs, Denmark

Eline Gøye was married to Mourits Olufsen Krognos and Vincents Juel. She was daughter of one of the country’s major landowners, Mogens Gøye, but he

had many children, and she therefore only inherited half of the estate Clausholm together with a brother. She was in dispute with her sister-in-law Anne Rosenkrantz, and in 1561 a compromise was reached, which according to Eline favourised Anne. Later same year Anne also was appointed Lensmand (County Sheriff) Skjoldnæs, which Eline had got after the death of her first husband. She was sister of another major landowner and Lensmand, Birgitte Gøye, and lived (circa 1510-63).

 

1551 Queen Jalampa Siri Sudhamma Mahadevi of Lanna (Chiang Mai) (Thailand)

Also known as princess Thao Meh Ku, she was married to Sethathirat of Lan Xang, who became king of Chiang Mai. After he was deposed, she ruled on her own until she was deposed herself by Mekut (Mekkhuti), the king of the Shan State of Muong Nai (he was succeded by Queen Wisuthatevi in 1564). Sethathirat continued fighting against Lanna until his death in 1571.

 

1551-64 Reigning Lady Duchess Sabina von Bayern of Nürtingen in Württemberg (Germany)

After the birth of the Crown Prince Christoph in 1515 she fled the threats of her husband Ulrich with both her children to her brothers,

the Bavarian Dukes Wilhelm und Ludwig, and only after her son ascended to the throe she was able to return to Württemberg, where she took up residence in her dowry in Nürtingen, where she held a small court, which became a local centre of Protestantism. She lived (1492-1564).

 

1551-72 Sovereign Countess Charlotte de Roye of Roucy (France)

Succeeded her father, Charles de Roye, married to François III de la Rochefoucauld and was succeeded by her son Josué de La Rochefoucauld de Roye.

 

1551-60 Princess-Abbess Katharina II von Tecklenburg of Essen (Germany)

During her tenure in office, the protestant movement became stronger. 1555 was the year of the Augsburg Peace, where it was made clear that the subjects had to have the same faith as their sovereign. In Essen the citizens were mainly protestant, but Katharina remained catholic, and the city council saw this as a way to free the city from the dominance of the Abbess, and for a period they were successful. Daughter of Otto IX von Tecklenburg and Irmgard von Cuyk-Rietberg. Her older sister, Jakobäa was Abbess of Vreden (1533-1563), and the younger Irmgard Abbess of Quernheim since 1534. Their niece Anna was heiress of Tecklenburg und Rheda (1527-82) and married to Everwin III von Götterswick Count of Bentheim-Steinfurt. Katharina lived (1517-60).

 

Until 1551 County Sheriff Birgitte Steensdatter Bille of the County of Sandby (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)
Until 1553 County Sheriff of the County of Katsløse (Denmark)

Birgitte Bille’s husband, Jens Torbensen Rosensparre died in 1553. Sandby is situated in the landscape of Skåne which was annexed by Sweden in 1658.

She (d. 1553).

 

1551-52 Acting County Sheriff Sidsel Jensdatter Ulfstand of the County of Kalundborg with the Shire of Arts Løve, Ods and Skippinge and Samsø, Denmark
1554-circa 75 County Sheriff of Villands Herred in Skåne (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

In 1535, during the “Fight of the Count” (Grevens Fejde) Sidsel Ulfstand’s husband, Knud Pedersen Gyldenstierne til Tim, was imprisoned by Count Christoffer, and he was not freed until Copenhagen gave in to Christian 3. one and a half year later leaving her in charge of his estates. He rejoined the Council of State became in charge of the tenancy of Kalundborg Slot. After his death she acted as an energetic and able administrator with economic sense. She was in charge of her husband’s estate for her minor children, she inherited some estates from her childless brothers and in 1554 she was given charge of Villads Herred in Skåne for life. During the Seven Year War 1563-70 she lend money to the crown against security in estates in Ramsø and Tune Counties. As County Sheriff of Villands herred, she made good use of her talents as she had to gather supplies for the army, conscribe peasants for the war, collect taxes and maintain roads, bridges and defences in a unruly boarder area, and she was also a frequent visitor at court. She mainly lived at Ljungby, but also often lived at Bønnet, where she was the patron of the parish church of Horbelev from 1565. She was very preoccupied with securing that her pastors lead a sober life, and one of them, Mr. Jakob, had to ask for her forgiveness. She seems to have a formidable women, also much respected by her children. Mother of 7 children and (d. circa 1575).

 

1551-… County Sheriff Sophie Holgersdatter Rosenkrantz of Börringe Kloster in Skåne (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Sophie Rosenkrantz was widow of Axel Axelsen Brahe til Krageholm, Hammar, Vittskövle og Tunbyholm (d. 1551), and (d. 1558).

 

1551-54 County Sheriff Ane Christensdatter of Hindselgård with Refs Herred in Thy, Denmark

Widow of Jens Lassen, citizen of Hostebro, who had held the tenantcy as security for lones. After his death, she was given royal permision to keep the tenantcy for life. She handed over the right to the administration and income to Erik Rud but kept the estate.

 

1551 County Sheriff Helvig Mogensdatter Gøye of the County of Bygholm with the Shires of Bjerge, Hatting, Nim and Vor, Denmark

Helvig Gøye til Avnsbjerg og Ormholt was in charge of the tenantcy after the death of her first husband, Otto Henriksen Gyldenstierne. Secondly married to Mogens Gøye til Bremversvold. She (d. 1597).

 

1551 County Sheriff Eline of the County of Nygård, Denmark

Widow of Anders Rølike. Her background is not known.

 

1552-67 HM Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (United Kingdom)
1558-87 Titular Duchess of Touraine (France)

Ascended to the throne of Scotland when she was just six days old. At age five she was sent to France to be brought up in the French court, and

eventually married King Francis II, who died the next year, where after Mary returned to Scotland where a series of politically unwise love affairs and her continued adherence to Catholicism in a Protestant country led to trouble and a revolt against her. Forced to flee to England for refuge, but Queen Elizabeth kept her under a form of imprisonment for the next 19 years. Watched closely, she was implicated in a series of conspiracies against Queen Elizabeth, and was executed, but her son, Jacob later succeeded as king of England. Mary lived (1552-87).

 

1552-75 County Sheriff Alhed Jørgensdatter Urne of Krønge Birk, Denmark

Alhed Urne was widow of Jørgen Venstermand, who had first been married to Maren Hansdatter Griis. She lived (1505-after 60).

 

1553 HM Jane, By the Grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and of the Church of England and also of Ireland in Earth, under Jesus Christ, Supreme Head (United Kingdom)

Lady Jane Grey was also known as Queen of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Supreme Head on Earth of the

Church of England and Ireland. She was the great-granddaughter of Henry VII through her mother, Lady Frances Brandon, daughter Mary, the younger of King Henry VIII’s two sisters. On May 21, 1553, John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, who exercised considerable power at that point in the minority of King Edward VI, joined with Jane’s father, Duke of Suffolk, in marrying her to his son, Lord Guildford Dudley. Edward VI accepted Jane as his heir and on his death she was proclaimed Queen on July 10 and the Council of the Realm recognized her claim. The rightful heir, Edward’s sister, Mary Tudor, had the support of the populace, and on July 19 even Suffolk, who by now despaired of success in the plans for his daughter, attempted to retrieve his position by proclaiming Mary Queen. Jane was later beheaded (as was her husband) in 1554 having lived (1537-54).

 

1553-58 HM Mary I Tudor, by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. (United Kingdom)
1553-54 Supreme Head on Earth of the Church of England and Ireland

 

She was the daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, and restored papal supremacy in England, abandoned the title of Supreme Head of the Church, reintroduced Roman Catholic bishops and began the slow reintroduction of monastic orders. She also revived the old heresy laws to secure the religious conversion of the country; heresy was regarded as a religious and civil offence amounting to treason. As a result, around 300 Protestant heretics were burnt in three years. Her decision to marry Philip, King of Spain from 1556, in 1554 was very unpopular; the protest from the Commons prompted her reply that Parliament was ‘not accustomed to use such language to the Kings of England’ and that in her marriage ‘she would choose as God inspired her’. England suffered during her reign. The economy was in ruin, religious dissent reached a zenith and England lost her last continental territory. She possibly died from cancer, leaving the crown to her half-sister Elizabeth. Mary lived (1516-58).

 

1553-79 De-facto Reigning Dowager Countess Maria von der Hoya of Bronckhorst, Lady of Borckelo (Germany)

After her husband, Jobst, Graf zu Bronkhorst und Herrn zu Borculo, was killed in an accident the fief reverted to the Diocese of Münster, but she continued to be in charge of the administration until her own death.

 

1553-59 Princess-Abbess Ursula I Schad of Heggbach (Germany)

Prioress and Second in Command 1540-53 until her election as ruler of the territory. She resigned because of bad health, and died later the same year.

 

1553-70 Dowager Reigning Lady Elena von Pfalz-Simmern of Schwarzenfel in Hanau-Lichtenberg (Germany)

Widow of Count Philipp II von Hanau. The castle served as the seat of the dowry government for other dowager countesses of Hanau as well.

 

Until 1553 County Sheriff Johanne Jørgensdatter Krumpen of the County of Kjølskegård, Denmark

Johanne Krumpen was widow of Jacob Eskilsen Høegh til Lergrav, Eskær Vang and Kjølskegård, who died after 1528 at a not known time. She lived (circa 1480-circa 1553).

 

1553-79 County Sheriff Lene Tønnesdatter Viffert of the County of Havelse
1564-79 County Sheriff of Dalby Kloster (Then Denmark, now Sweden)

Lene Viffert was given ownership for life of Havelse and later granted the tenantcy of Dalby Kloster after the death of her second husband, Jacob Sehested til Havelsegård i Havelse Magle, but had to promise to marry Claus von Ungern til Käsel og Clausholm på Øsel, who was given the right of succesion after her death. (fik ventebrev). Her first husband was Basse Christoffersen Basse til Sørup. She (d. 1579).

 

 

1553-85 Politically Influential Electress Anna af Danmark of Sachsen (Germany)

Reigned at the side of her husband, Kurfürst August von Sachsen (1626-86), with whom she lived a very harmonious marriage. She

was especially when it came to the fights over religion from 1574, her opponents blamed her of ‘Gynaecocracy’, and she always took the side of the Lutherans in the fights with the Calvinists. In 1563 she intertwined in the negotiations between Denmark of Sweden together with her mother, Dorothea von Sachsen-Lauenburg, and managed to end the long war between the two countries, she initiated that her husband took the side of her brother, Frederik II, and had Emperor Maximilian II. act as mediator in the conflict. She was also a very able trader and industrialist, and in 1578 her husband transferred the administration of all the Electoral Domains to her and she was a pioneer within modern agriculture. She was also knowable with medical plants, and even the Queen of Portugal asked for her help. In 1548 she was handed over the administation of her dowries in Weissenfels, Freyburg (or Sangerhausen). The daughter of Christian III of Denmark and Norway, she signed her letters, ‘Anna, born as Royal Danish Stock, Electress of Sachsen.’ She was mother of 15 children, and lived (1532-85).

 

1554-60 Regent Dowager Queen Marie de Guise of Scotland (United Kingdom of Great Britain)

Married to James V of Scotland and regent for her daughter, Mary Queen of Scots. The daughter of Claude de Lorraine, duc de Guise, she was also known as Mary of Lorraine. Before her marriage to James V in 1538, she had been married to Louis d’Orléans, Duc de Longueville, who died in 1537. When James died in 1542, shortly after his daughter’s birth, James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, became regent. By 1554, with French aid, Marie de Guise had replaced the ineffectual Arran as regent, and she made no secret of her desire to bring France and Scotland together. Meanwhile, Protestantism was spreading rapidly in Scotland, and Marie, though at first conciliatory toward the reformers, began a campaign of suppression. In 1559 the Protestants, exhorted by John Knox, rose against the regent and declared her deposed. She received French aid, but the Protestants, allied with the English, proved the stronger force. The civil war was concluded shortly after Marie’s death by the Treaty of Edinburgh (1560), which ended the French domination of Scotland and opened the way for the establishment of the Protestant church. She lived (1515-60).

 

1554-55 Regent Infanta Juana of Spain

Acted as stand-in for her brother, Felipe II, who had been appointed regent of Spain by their father, Carlos I (Emperor Karl V), but who was in England

some of the time with his wife, Mary I Tudor. Juana had returned to Spain after the death of her husband, the Crown Prince of Portugal, leaving her son, Sebastao behind. In 1555 their father abdicated in favour of Felipe. She founded a very rich monastery and remained influential till her death. She lived (1537-73).

 

1554-79 Queen Regnant Kalinyamat of Jepara (Indonesia)

Succeeded to the throne when her husband, R. Toyib or “Sultan Hadlirin”, was killed by Bupati Jipang. The commercial port gave wealth to the kingdom and she sent her combat fleet for Malacca to attack and destroy Portuguese in 1551 and 1574, but her forces did not manage to drive Portuguese away from Malacca. The daughter of Sultan Trenggono of Demak, she was originally named Retno Kencono. (d. 1579).

 

1554-55 Regent Dowager Abakyala Nannono of Buganda (Uganda)

The seventh wife of Kabaka Nakibinge Kagali, she acted as regent for 8 months after his death, pending the birth of her posthumous child, but when it showed out to be a daughter (Nono), her husband’s son by his 4th wife, Kabaka Mulondo Sekaja, was elected king. She was daughter of Seggirinya, of the Dgo clan.

 

1554-1610 Sovereign Princess Marie de Créquy of Poix, Dame de Mareuil (France)

Granddaughter of Jossine, who was Dame de Poix around 1526. Marie married Gilbert de Blanchefort, Lord of Saint-Janvrin. She lived (1526-1610).

 

1554-56 Abbess Nullius Caterina Acquaviva of the Royal Convent of Saint Benedetto in Conversano, Temporal and Secular Ruler of Conversano (Italy)

Member of the Countly Family of Conversano and other territories in Puglia in the South of Italy at the time in the Kingdom of Napoli.

 

1555-1572 Queen Regnant Juana III d’Albret of Navarra and Co-Princess of Andorra, Duchess of Albert, Comtesse de Foix-Béarn-Grailly, Périgod, de Rodez, d’Armagnac, Perche, Fezensac, de L’Isle-Jourdain, Porhoët and Pardiac, Viscomtesse de Limoges, Brulhois, Lomagne, Fezenzaguet, Cressey, d’Auvillars, Baroness de Castelnau, Caussade, Montmiral and Dame de La Flêche and Baugé (France and Spain)

Also known as Jeanne d’Albret, she grew up in France as a French princess. She married Antoine de Bourbon out of love but their marriage

was unhappy because of his constant infidelities. He died just before she succeeded her father as Queen of Navarra. She converted to Calvinism en 1560 and favoured this faith in Navarra and Béarn as her other domains was under the suzerainty of the king of France. She was involved in the different wars of religion of the time, and in 1571 she made Calvinism the state religion in Béarn and Navarre, and in order to maintain and affirm her authority in her domains, she negotiated the marriage of her son Henri with Marguerite de Valois, sister of Charles IX. She died before the celebration of the marriage and the Saint-Barthélemy massacre on the French Protestants. Her son became king of France and trough him the post of Co-prince has passed on to the Presidents of the French Republic. She lived (1528-72).

 

1565-71 Reigning Abbess Charlotte de Bourbon-Montpensier of the Royal Abbey of Jouarre (France)

Daughter of Louis III de Montpensier et de Jacqueline de Longwy. With the help of Queen Jeanne III de Navarre, she found refuge innHeidelberg and married Willem van Oranje-Nassau, Stadtholder of the Netherlands and had 6 daughters of whom Louise-Juliana, Catharina Belgica and Charlotte-Brabantine became regents after their husband’s deaths, and Charlotte Flandrina (1579-1640) became Abbess de Poitiers. She lived (1546-82).

 

1555-66 Reigning Abbess-General Catalina Sarmiento of the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos (Spain)

As one of the only abbesses in the history of the Catholic church, the Señora Abadesa of Las Huelgas de Burgos held quasi Episcopal powers.

 

1555-56 Acting County Sheriff Anne Pedersdatter Lykke of the County of Stege with the two Shires of Møn
1564-74 County Sheriff of the Church Servants in the County of the Shire of Gjerlev
1569-70 Acting County Sheriff of Spøtrup
1569/70-74 County Sheriff of the Counties of Medelsom and Sønderlyng with Spøtrup, Denmark

Anne Lykke til Demstrup administered Stege after her first husband, Anders Bentsen Bille til Søholm, was killed in the Feud of the Count and was in

charge of Medelsom etc. after the death of her seond husband, to Otto Jørgensen Krumpen til Trudsholk, a member of one of the oldest noble families of the country and one of the most influential men of their time, who died without issue as the last male member of the family. She held Spøtrup as security for lones and exchanged it with Øtsløf Kloster in 1570. Her last husband was Claus Daa. 1574 she returned the letter of security for the Tenantcies to the king who dropped a case against her. Her branch of the family Lykke was also known as Lykke Munk til Overgaard. She (d. after 1574).

 

1556-58/60 Co-Regent Dowager Empress Hamida Banu Begum of The Mughal Empire (India)

After the death of Emperor Humayun (1530-1556), who spend 15 years in exile 1540-55, his 14-year-old son, Akbar, succeeded to the throne, and Hamida Begum (perhaps also known as Maliam Anga) was part of the regency. She lived (1527–1604)

 

1556-64 Regent for the Governor Mah-Chehak Begum of Kabul, Afghanistan

Also known as Mah Čučak Bigum, she was regent for her son, Prince Mirza Muhammad Hakim (1553-56-85), son of the Moghul Emperor Humayum (1508-56), to whom she was a concubine. She was murdered in 1565.

 

1556-57 Regent Dowager Princess Françoise de Breeze of Sedan and Bouillon (France)

Took over the government after the death of her husband, Robert IV de Sedan, who was also created Duke de Bouillon. She was

daughter of Diane de Portier, mistress of the French King. Françoise was also Countess of Maulevrier and had two sisters, Diane de Valois, who was Duchess of Chatellerault etc., and Louise de Breeze, Dame d’Anet. Françoise was mother of 9 children, and died 1557.

 

1556-80 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Electress Dorothea af Danmark og Norge of Neumarkt in Pfalz (Germany)

After the death of her brother, Hans, in 1532, Dorothea von Dänemark und Norwegen was considered a serious contender to the

Danish and Norwegian Throne by her Habsburg relatives, who still supported her father, Christian 2, who had been imprisoned and died in prison in 1559. Her mother, Elisabeth von Habsburg (Isabel of Spain), died 1526 and together with her brother and sister, she grew up at the court of her grat-aunt and aunt, the Governor Generals of the Netherlands, Margaret I and Maria. She was married to Friedrich II von Pfalz (1482-1556). After his death, she transferred her claims to the Danish throne to her sister, Christine, Regent of Lorraine from 1545. In spite of her Catholic relatives and the new Calvinist Elector of the Palitinate, she kept her Lutheran faith in her dowry where she lead a lavish life and remained in close contact with her Habsburg relatives for the rest of her life. She did not have any children, and lived (1520-80).

 

1556-68 Politically Influential Duchess Sophie of Poland of Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel (Germany)
1568-75 Sovereign Lady of Schöning and the Amt Jerxneim

Also known as Sophie die Jagiellonin, she was engaged in diplomatic activities both with her native Poland and the rest of Europe during the reign of her husband, Heinrich the Younger, she was also active in Politics, and an outstanding intellectual capacity and cultural personality. After her husband’s death, and the accession to the throne of her stepson, she retired to her dowry, which she reigned as a sovereign with rights over administration, juridical matters, trade and a small army. She became extremely rich, and her sisters and her husband’s relatives and later their descendants fought over the inheritance, which was not settled for another 100 years. The daughter of King Zygysmund I of Poland and Bona Sforza, she had no children, and lived (1522-75).

 

1556-94 Princess-Abbess Maria Jacoba von Schwarzenberg of Buchau (Germany)

She was in dispute with the bishop of Konstanz and strongly maintained her own rights as ecclesiastical leader and the position of her territory. She was also promoter of religious and cultural affairs. In 1559 she signed a decision of the Imperial Diet (Reichstagsabscheid), participated in the the Assembly of the Swabian Circle (Kreistag) 1569, represented by the Count of Fürstenberg in the Imperial Diet 1572 and 1576, and by the Truchess von Waldburg in 1577. She was daughter of Freiherr Christoph and Eva von Montfort, and lived (1515-94).

 

1556-57 County Sheriff Sidsel Andersdatter Bille of the County of Gårdstange and the Shire of Frost (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Sidsel Bille was widow of Niels Tønnesen Parsbjerg til Kulla Gunnarstorp, Lensmand of Vrejlev Len(d. 1556). She (d. 1566).

 

1556-80 County Sheriff Mette Hansdatter Lange Munk of Holmegård, Denmark

Mette Lange became in charge of the tenantcy after her husband, Iver Kjeldesen Juel, died the same year he became County Sheriff. She was later granted the tenantcy for life.

 

1557-62 Regent Dowager Queen Catarina von Austria of Portugal and the Algaves

Her husband João III died without leaving instructions about regency. A hastily convened council of nobles declared that it had been his wish that Queen Catarina should undertake the office of regent and she was duly appointed and governed in the name of her grandson, Sebastião (1557-78). She was daughter of Juana I la Loca and Emperor Maximillian. After Sebastião came of age at 14, she retired to a convent and lived (1507-78).

 

1557-80 Sovereign Countess Anna von Tecklenburg-Schwerin of Tecklenburg und Rheda
1562-73 Regent of Bentheim
1566-72 Regent of Steinfurt-Wevelinghoven and Granau (Germany)

Succeeded father, Konrad von Tecklenburg-Ibbenbüren, and married to Everwin III von Götterswich, Graf von Bentheim-Steinfurt

(1536-62), but she remained a staunch Lutheran when Everwin joined Catholism, and he tried to take over her territories and lock her in the tower of the castle of Tecklenburg, but the lords of the immediate county backed her. The situation was solved when he died of syphilis. After his death, she was regent in Bentheim and after the death Arnold III, also regent in Steinfurt. In 1580 she handed over Tecklenburg and Rheda to her son, Arnold IV von Bentheim-Tecklenburg. It is said about her that she had knowledge of healing plants and that she prevented the prosecution of witches in her territory. She lived (1532-82).

 

1557-.. County Sheriff Queen Dorothea von Sachsen-Lauenburg of Denmark of Vejle Mølle
1558-66 County Sheriff of Holme Kloster
1559-71 County Sheriff of the County of Koldinghus with the Shires of Brusk, Jerlev, Holmans, Tørrild and ½ of Andst, the County of Ålholm with the Shires of Fugelse and Musse, the Counties of Ravnsborgn and Åkær with the Shire of Had

When her husband, Christian III, King of Denmark and Norway and Duke of Schleswig-Holstein (1503-34-59) died, she withdrew to her dowry that she also administered as a fief-holder, Lensmand, being in charge of aspects of the local administration. She was very influential as head of the family. She also held Als, Sundeved og Ærø in the landscape of Slesvig. She lived (1511-71)

 

Circa 1557-74 Acting County Sheriff Sidsel Clausdatter Bille of the County of Kjølskegård, Denmark

Sidsel Bille was widow of Just Jacobsen Høeg Banner til Vang og Lergrav (d. 1557), who had first been married to Mette Mogensdatter Gøye.

 

1557 Abbess Nullius Barbara Acquaviva d’Aragona of the Royal Convent of Saint Benedetto in Conversano, Temporal and Secular Ruler of Conversano (Italy)

Daughter of Andrea Matteo III Acquaviva d’Aragona, Duke of Atri etc. (1457-1529), and probably his second wife Caterina della Ratta, Countess di Caserta, Alessano e Sant’Agata (from 1488). Her italian title was Badessa di Santa Maria dell’Isola a Conversano dal 1558

 

1557 Reigning Abbess Magdalena von Reischach of Wald, Lady of the Offices of Wald, Vernhof and Ennigerloh (Germany)

Only in office for a few months.

 

1557-68 Reigning Abbess Margrethe von Reischach von Hohenstofffeln of Wald, Lady of the Offices of Wald, Vernhof and Ennigerloh (Germany)

The chapter was a major landowner and also held lower jurisdiction in a number of surrounding villages.

 

1558-1603 Elizabeth I, Queen of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Supreme Head on Earth of the Church of England and Ireland (United Kingdom)

Daughter of Henry VIII Tudor and Anne Boleyn, she succeeded her half-sister Mary. she was very well educated (fluent in six languages). Her 45-year reign is generally considered one of the most glorious in English history. During it a secure Church of England was established. Its doctrines were laid down in the 39 Articles of 1563, a compromise between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. Although autocratic and capricious, she had astute political judgement and chose her ministers well. Her reign also saw many brave voyages of discovery, which prepared England for an age of colonisation and trade expansion, In 1588, aided by bad weather, the English navy scored a great victory over the Spanish invasion fleet of around 130 ships – the ‘Armada’ which was intended to overthrow the Queen and re-establish Roman Catholicism by conquest, as Philip II believed he had a claim to the English throne through his marriage to Mary I. She was succeeded by James VI of Scotland, and lived (1533-1603).

 

1558-61 Regent Infanta Maria de Austria of Spain

In charge of the government during the travels of her brother Felipe II in the Empire. She was married to Maximillian II von

Habsburg, Holy Roman Emperor. Their son, Archduke Albrecht of Austria, Duke of Teschen, married the daughter of Felipe – Infanta Isabella, Governor of the Southern Netherlands. Maria lived (1528-1603).

 

1558-78 Politically Active Margravine Elisabeth von Brandenburg-Küstrin of Brandenburg-Ansbach (Germany)

The most important aide of her husband, Georg Friedrich (1539-1603) until her death. She lived (1540-78).

 

1558-64 Princess-Abbess Elisabeth II von Gleichen of Gernrode and Frose (Germany)

Several members of her family – of the Counts of Gleichen – were Princess-Abbesses and held other ecclesiastical offices.

 

1558 Acting County Sheriff Anne Ottesdatter Rosenkrantz of the County of Skanderborg with the Shires of Framlev, Gjern, Hjelmslev, Sabro, Tyrsting, Vrads, Støvring, Hald, Onsild and Ning, Denmark
1561-67 County Sheriff of the County of Skjoldnæs

After the death of her husband, Albert Gøye, in 1558, Anne Rosenkrantz was left in charge of the family possessions. Her lands were scattered all over the country, but she managed to unify most of it, and she achieved the right to appoint the judges within her jurisdiction. Anne was involved in many disputes with her relatives, among others the sister-in-law Eline Gøye, and in 1561 she was appointed Lensmand (County Sheriff) of Skjoldnæs after Eline was removed from this position. In 1566 Anne was ordered to give up the fief again – but only pawed way for the newly appointed Lensmand the following year. She lived (1522-89).

 

1558-67 Joint County Sheriff Margrethe Jochumsdatter Beck of the County of Ruggård with the Shire of Skovsby, Denmark

Margrethe Beck was appointed jointly with her husband, Palle Christoffersen Ulfeldt (d. 1571) for a period of 20 years, but died after 9 years. Her husband then married Margrethe Clausdatter Brockenhuus. She (d. 1567).

 

Circa 1558-62 Acting County Sheriff Bege Pedersdatter Skram of Brinkgård, Denmark

Bege Skram til Stovgård was widow of Jørgen Hansen Juel. Apparently only one daughter, Karen Juel, survived. She (d. after 1562).

 

1559-67 and 1580-82 Stadholder Margaretha de Parma of The Netherlands
1559-67 Governor of Franche-Comté
1572-86 Perpetual Governor of L’Aquila (Italy)

Also known as Madama or Margarita de Austria, her full title was Archduchess of Austria, Infanta of Spain, Princess of Burgundy, Milan, Naples and Sicily. She was daughter of Emperor Karl V and his mistress Johanna van den Gheynst. Her first husband was Alessandro de’ Medici, Duke of Firenze (1510-37), the son of the Black servant Simonetta da Collavechio and Cardinal Giulio de Medici (the later Pope Clement VII), was finally assassinated a few months after their wedding in 1536. She then received the titles of Feudal Duchess of Borbona, Penne and Posta and Feudal Lady of Campli, Castel Sant’Angelo (now Castel Madama), Civita Ducale (now Cittaducale), Leonessa, Montereale and Ortona, Lady of Amatrice, Borbona, Posta which she held until her death. In 1538 she was married to Ottavio Farnese (1525-86), whose father was given the Duchies of Parma and Piacenza by his father, Pope Paul III. In 1545 she became mother of twins. Her half-brother, King Felipe II of Spain, appointed her Governor-General of the Netherlands, and she proved to be an able administrator, but resigned after the Duke of Alba’s crushing of the Dutch opposition against the Spanish rule. She then returned to Italy and was governor of L’Aquila by her brother. Her son Alessandro Farnese was Governor-General of the Netherlands until 1580 when she replaced him. After his return, she was kept a virtual prisoner in Namur, until she was allowed to return to Italy in 1583 where she died three years later. She lived (1522-86).

 

1559-68 Regent Doamna Chiajna of Walachia (Romania)

After the death of her husband, Mircea Ciobanul, who was Voivode of Wallachia in 1545-1552, 1553-1554 and in 1558-1559, she was regent for her son, Petru cel Tînăr (Peter the Young). She was daughter of Petru Rareş, ruler of Moldova.

 

1559-89 Princess-Abbess Lucia Hildebrand of Heggbach (Germany)

A former Prioress, she took over enormous depths during a period of bad harvests, hard winters, wet summers, epidemics of plague in 1564, 1572/73, 1574, 1579 and 1589 and on top of it all heavy “turk taxes”. But her bad handling of the economy made the situation worse and the existence of the whole territory was endangered, and she had to resign from her post for the same reason. She lived (1523-1605).

 

1559-60 Acting County Sheriff Øllegaard Jacobsdatter Trolle of the County of Visborg with Gotland (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Øllegaard Trolle was a major landowner, widow of Christoffer Hvidtfeldt, mother of 11 children, and lived (1513-78).

 

1559-62 and 1568-74 County Sheriff Anne Olufsdatter Krognos of Hundlund Kloster

Appointed after the death of her husband, Klaus Podebusk. During her second term in office she held the tenantcy as security for lones. (Pantelen).

 

1559-63 Joint County Sheriff Catharine Gregoriusdatter Ahlefeldt of Borgeby Len in Skåne (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)
1565-82 Joint County Sheriff of the County of Gladsaxe with the Shire of Albo, Denmark

First appointed joint County Sheriff together with her husband, Hans Spiegel til Borreby (d. 1599), who bought the fief and estate of Borgeby and then appointed as security for lones. She had first been married to Johan Stake and Lucas Krabbe. Her

husband married Hilleborg Hansdatter Lindenov til Julskov (d. 1602), widow of Emmike Kaas after her death. She (d. 1582).

 

1559-… County Sheriff Mette Johansdatter Oxe of Ralsvig på Rygen (Germany)
1559 Acting County Sheriff of Boisø Kloster, Denmark
1566-68 County Sheriff of Ørslev Kloster

Mette Oxe acted in the name of her four sons after the death of her husband, Hans Barnekow, of an old Wendian noble family, who had been appointed hereditary tenant by the Duke of Pommern, it was confirmed by the Duke and King of Denmark in 1564. Was later granted the tenantcy of Ørslev Kloster. 3 of her sisters; Inger, Pernille and Sidsel also acted as County Sheriffs.

 

1559-60 Acting County Sheriff Lucie Mortensdatter of the County of Jonstrup, Denmark

Daughter of Morten Ebbensen til Gavnø, possibly of the Laale-family, and Benedikte Rubek, and took over the administration after the death of her husband, Christian Eriksen Pors (or Christiern).

 

Until 1559 Feudal Marchioness Diana de Cardona of Giuliano, Contessa della Chiusa, Baronessa di Borgia (Italy)

Second wife of Vespasiano I, Marchese di Sabionetta, Principe di Sabionetta, 1st Duca di Sabionetta, Conte di Roddi e Ricalta, Barone di Caramanico e Tutino, Marchese di Ostiano, Conte di Fondi, Duca di Traetto, Viceroy of Navarra an Valencia, Knight of Golden Fleece Order. She died upon the delivery of a child.

 

1560-63 Regent Dowager Queen Catherine de’ Medici of France
1562-89 Sovereign Duchess of Valois, Countess Auvergne and Boulogne

In 1533 she was married to Henri, Duke of Orleans, who became the French king in 1547. As Queen she was very influential in bringing aspects of Italian culture to France, such as their theatre and food. After her husband’s death, she gained political power as regent for her sons. An ambitious woman, she actively involved herself in the political intrigues of the court, always trying to increase royal power. At first Catherine tried to reconcile France’s opposing Catholic and Protestant factions as their violent disputes threatened national unity. But instead she initiated the massacre in 1570 of Protestants (the massacre of St Bartholomew). Succeeded her aunt, Anne de la Tour as Countess of Auvergne in 1524, and father Lorenzo II de Medici as titular Countess of Urbino 1519-21. Mother of 10 children, she lived (1519-89)

 

1560-62 De-facto regent Maham Anga of the Mughal Empire (India)

The chief nurse of Emperor Akbar, she gained influence after she convinced Akbar to dismiss his minister, Bairam. Her power began to wane in 1561, when Akbar appointed Atkah Khan as chief minister. Five months later her son, Adham Khan, Akbar’s foster-brother, attempted to assassinate Atkah Khan, but was executed, and she died shortly after, and the emperor, who was now 19 ruled alone from then on.

 

1560 Head of the Regency Council Dowager Duchess Maria von Sachen-Wettin of Pommern-Wolgast (Poland/Germany)
1574-83 Reigning Dowager Lady of the Administrative Office and Castle of Pudagla in Pommern-Wolgast

After the death of her husband, Philipp I Duke von Pommern-Wolgast (1515-31-60) a Council of Regency took over the government for her son, Johann

Friedrich (1542-60-1600). She was guardian for her sons who shared the inheritance of another relative, who abdicated in 1569; Bogislaw XIII von Pommern-Barth/Neuenkamp and later of Pommern-Stettin, Ernst Ludwig von Pommern-Wolgast, Barnim X von Pommern-Rügenwalde und Bütow and Kasimir VI, who was Evangelican Bishop of Cammin. She was also guardian for the daughters Amelia, Margaretha and Anna. The Duchy was hit by The Seven Years War (1563-70), which demonstrated how powerless the Duchy was. Lack of finances and of military power, forced it to remain neutral and thereby it ended up as a “playbill” between the foreign powers. Her Johann Friederich received the Imperial confirmation of his fief (kaiserliche Belehnung) at the Reichstag in Augsburg in 1566. She was daughter of Duke and Elector Johann von Sachsen and Margareta von Anhalt, and lived (1516-83).

 

1560-76 Member of the Council of Regency Dowager Countess Margarethe von Hoya of Diepholz (Germany)
1560-93 Reigning Dowager Lady of the Office of Auburg
1585-93 Regent of Diepholz

Following the death of her husband, Rudolf IX, a regency council took power under the leadership of Duke Wilhelm von Braunschweig-Lüneburg-Celle in the name of her son Friederich II, and she managed to become part of the council, even though she had not been designated a seat from the beginning. Margarethe von Diepholz was also given the whole of the County as her dowry. In 1582 the Hoya-line died out and she tried to secure her inheritance without success, The same year her only grandson died and 3 years later her son followed. Nominally the county fell to Braunschweig-Lüneburg but in effect she managed to act as regent for her granddaughter, Anna Margarethe (1580-), possibly because Duke Wilhelm had become mentally ill. She reorganised and modernised the administration. The daughter of Jobst II von Hoya and Anna von Gleichen, she had been elected as Abbess of the Noble Chapter of Bassum in 1541, but remained at the court of her parents, and lived (1527-93).

 

Circa 1560-circa 1600 Clan Leader Grania O’Mally of the West Coast of Camacht and Achill Island, Ireland
1565-1603 “Pirate Queen”

Also known as Grace O’Malley or Gráinne Ni Mháille, she was only daughter of Dubndara O’Mally. Her husband, Donal O’Flatherty, leader of the neighboring clan, was killed and she managed to hold the besieged castle of the family. Imprisoned in 1578-79 and 1593 for piracy and her sons and son-in-law was also held prisoners by the British. Her fleet numbered some 20 ships, and her blatant piracy was seriously emptying the pockets of English merchants at Galway. She wrote a letter to the Chiefess of the Tudor Clan, Queen Elizabeth I, and was granted an audience in London, which resulted in the release of her relatives and the right to continue her activities on Sea and on Land – though under English flag. She lived (1530-1603).
Beatriz Clara Cova Inca, Señora del Valle de Yucay.

 

1560-1600 Lady Doña Beatriz Clara Cova-Inca of Valle de Yucay, Peru

Only daughter and heir of the last Inca of Peru, Sayri Tupac and his sister and wife María Manrique Cusi Huarcay (circa 1531-after 1586). After her

father’s death, her possessions were administered by various Spanish guardians and she was placed in a convent, until her mother managed to get the pension she had been promised by her late husband and had found refuge at the residence of Cristóbal Maldonado. Beatriz later married Martín García de Loyola, Lord de Calatrava and their only daughter, Doña Ana María de Loyola Cova y Coya-Inca, was named “The Legitimate Representative of the past Sovereign Incas of Peru”, Marquesa de Santiago de Oropesa and Adelantada del Valle de Yucay and Yupangui and Lady de Loyola in 1614. Beatriz lived (1558-1600)

 

Until 1560 County Sheriff Karen Gans of the County of Ydernæs, Denmark

Widow of Thomas Logen (or Lage), who died in the 1550s. Her second husband, Jacob Krafse became County Sheriff (Lensmand) 1560-circa 72.

 

Around 1560 Princess-Abbess Ludmilla de Bliziva of the Royal Chapter St. Georg at the Hradschin in Prauge (Czech Republic)

Another version of her surname was von Bliziwa.

 

1560-61 Princess-Abbess Maria von Spiegelberg of Essen (Germany)

The counts of Spiegelberg had ruled their Small County, cantered around Coppenbrüg since around 1280. In 1494 they inherited the County of Pyrmont, but in 1557 the family died out in the male line. The fief was inherited by Braunschweig-Calenberg, but with the condition that the sovereignty was inherited in the female line to a sideline of the family of Lippe. In 1485 the county was inherited by the counts of Gleichen and in 1631 by Nassau-Oranje, who sold it to Hannover in 1819.

 

1561-99 Politically Influential Countess Katharina Vasa av Sverige of Ostfriesland (Germany)
1565-1610 Reigning Lady of Pewsum including the Manningaburg and the Mill of Pewsum
1599-1610 Dowager Lady of the Amt Norden, Berum, Woquard, Loquard and Campen

Katharin Wasa was influential during the reign of her husband, Edzard II von Ostfriesland and was an active participants with her brother-in-law, the joint ruler with her husband. She used her dowry to buy the Lordship of Pewsum and she extended the castle of Manningaburg. She was very active with charity work. When her husband died, she demanded the soverignty of the administrative offices she was given as her dowry, but her son, Enno III, maintained that she would only recieve the incomes from the lands as stipulated in her marriage contract, but she only accepted this after he sent 200 soldiers to the area. Mother of 6 sons and 5 daughters and lived (1539-1610).

 

1561-75 Princess-Abbess Irmgard III von Diepholz of Essen (Germany)

Pröbstin – or second ranking – in the Chapter until her election as its sovereign. Like Maria von Spiegelberg, she was catholic and that caused problems with the predominantly protestant City of Essen. In 1568 Irmgard applied to the imperial supreme court to resolve a wider, century-old dispute between the Abbesses and the Essen citizenry over the rights and responsibilities of the citizens. The judgement, which took 102 years to deliver, was ambiguous. The Abbess was declared the “sole authority and rightful princess of the state”, to whom the citizens owed obedience as “subjects and members of the state”. At the same time however the city was defined as a “civitas mixta” or free city of the German Empire, and therefore not a county, which would have meant complete subjugation to the aristocracy, nor a municipality without jurisdiction or statutory power. This judgement gave rise to continuing legal disputes, which carried on until 1803, when the state was finally secularised. Irmgard also took a keen interest in coal mining.

 

1561-69 Princess-Abbess Marguerite V de Noyelle of Nivelles, Dame Temporaire and Spirituelle of Nivelles (Belgium)

The abbess of the chapter was Princess of the Holy Roman Empire and Political Leader of the City of Nivelles.

 

Until 1561 Reigning Abbess Antoniette de Joinville of Faremoutiers (France)

Following the concordat de Bolgone, signed in 1516 between François I and Pope Léon X, the abbesses were named by the king. Her sister, Renée, was Abbess of St. Pierre until her death in 1602. The daughter of Duke Claude de Guise and Antoinette de Bourbon-La Marche, she lived (1531-61).

 

1561-62 County Sheriff Karen Globsdatter Krabbe of the Counties of Amtofte , Amtofte Kloster and Thistedgård with the Shire of Hundborg, Denmark
1576-78 County Sheriff of the County of Voergård
1579 County Sheriff of the County of Vinderslevgård
Until 1586 County Sheriff of the County of Strekhals

Karen Krabbe til Nissum, Skovsgård og Voergård, or Karen Krabbe Glob, was married to Nils Hansen Skeel Nygård til Vinderslevgård, Ullerup,

Merringgård, Nipgård, Skovsgård, Momtoftegård og Thistedgård (d. 1561). She settled the inheritance with her son-in-law Otto Banner and got Vinderslevgård in exchange. 1578 she and her daughter, Ingeborg Skeel, got the right to the juristiction of the Estate of Vorgård. Ingeborg was County Sheriff from 1585. She lived (1509-86).

 

1561… Acting County Sheriff Dorothea Nielsdatter Tornekrans of Bråde Len

Dorte eller Dorothea Tornekrans was widow of Niels Markvardsen Skiernov til Mejlgård (d. 1561), who had been granted the tenantcy for life by the Bishop some years before and confirmed by the king after the Reformation. She (d. earlist 1591).

 

1561-62 and 1562-72 Acting County Sheriff Magdalene Eriksdatter Banner of the County of Skivehus Len with the Shires of Lørre, Harre, Hindborg and Rødding, Denmark

Magdalene Banner was left in charge of the fief after the death of her husband, Iver Krabbe. She (d. 1597).

 

1561-72 County Sheriff Jytte Presbjørnsdatter Podebusk of Vestervig Kloster, Denmark

Jytte Podebusk was widow of Knud Gyldenstierne (d. 1568), who held the tenantcy before her. She (d. 1573).

 

1561-62 Acting County Sheriff Mette Eriksdatter Hardenberg of Biskotorp, Denmark

Mette Hardenberg was widow of Didrik Henningsen Qvistzow til Rørbæk etc. (d. 1561). Mother of one daughter, Anne

who died young. She (d. 1573).

 

1561-62 County Sheriff Anne Albrechtsdatter Glob of Sebber Kloster and Asmild Kloster, Denmark

Anne Glob was widow of Jørgen Urne (d. 1560), and was appointed to both tenantcies for life. (d. 1562).

 

1562-65 Acting County Sheriff Margrethe Hennekesdatter Rantzau of the County of Skodborg with Malt and ½ of the Shire of Andst, Denmark

Margrethe Rantzau was married to her relative, Jesper Hansen Rantzau, Amtmand in Flensborg and Lensmand in Schmoel, Skodborg, Haderslev and Tørning Len, and she took over the administration of one of his fief after his death.

 

1562-63 Acting County Sheriff Dorthe Maltesdatter Viffert of the County of Viskumsgård with the Shire of Synderlyng, Denmark

Dorthe Viffert til Øls was widow of Peder Christoffersen Kruse til Ballegård, Ryomgård og Kjellerup. She lived (circa 1514-after 1563).

 

1562-63 County Sheriff Else Holgersdatter Ulfstand of Ås Kloster in Halland (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)
1563-64 County Sheriff of Svaløv Len
1565-69 County Sheriff of Øvid Kloster
1567-.. County Sheriff of Rørum Len, Denmark

Else Ulfstand administered the tenantcy after the death of her husband, Tage Thott, together with her sister, Thale Ulfstand, who was also County

Sheriff of Hesselbjerg from 1595. Her daughter, Thale Thott, was County Sheriff of Lensmand of Åhus and Åsum in Skåne 1587-90. She lived (1520-73).

 

1562-1622 Politically Influential Empress Mariam uz-Zamani Begum Sahiba of the Mughal Empire (India)

As one of Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar’s three chief queens, she was politically involved in the court until Nur Jahan became empress. Like other few women at the Mughal court, she could issue official documents (farman), which was usually the exclusive privilege of the emperor. She used her wealth and influence to build gardens, wells, and mosques around the country. In 1586, she arranged a marriage of her son, Prince Salim (later Jahangir), to her niece, Princess Manmati (Manbhawati Bai), who was the mother of Prince Khusrau Mirza. Even though she remained a Hindu after her marrage, she was buried according to Islamic custom and was not cremated. Born as Rajkumari Hira Kunwari Sahiba – or Harkha Bai, she was the eldest daughter of Kacchwaha Rajput, Raja Bharmal, Raja of Amber, and lived (1542-1622).

 

1563-79 Regent Dowager Countess Katharina von Waldeck-Eisenberg of Lippe (Germany)

After the death of her husband, Bernhard VIII (1527-36-63), she was in disputes with the other regents for her son Simon VI, mainly

Count Hermann Simon zu Pyrmont (d. 1576). Her son was appointed Imperial Commissioner and was in charge of mediating hereditary disputes and gained more and more importance as the years went by. She lived (1524-83).

 

1563-1621 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Queen Katarina Stenbock of Strömsholms Estate with the Shire of Snevringe , Fiholms Estate with the Parishes of Säby and Stora Rytterne, the estates of Tynnelsö and Magerö wit Aspö, the Parishes of Överselö and Ytterselö with Tosterö in the Parish of Strängnäs and the Estate of Kungsberga with the Parishes of Fogdö, Vansö and Helgarö, Sweden

She was engaged to another man when king Gustav Vasa decided to marry her after the death of his previous wife, her aunt, Margareta Leijonhufvud. He was 37 tears older than he, and she was more his nurse than his wife. She was the first Queen Dowager to be named Riksänkedrottning – Dowager Queen of the Realm, and lived (1535-1621).

 

1563-circa 88 County Sheriff Anne Vernersdatter Parsberg of Derup
1580-81 Acting County Sheriff of the County of Øster Gårdstange and the County of Reving (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)
1580-93 County Sheriff of the Counties of Vram, Visby, Stibberup and Revinge, Denmark

Anne Parsberg was first married to Christoffer Gyldenstierne and secondly to Hans Jepsen Skovgaard til Gundestrup (1526-80), Councillor of the Realm and Lensmand of Helsingborg.

 

1563-87 County Sheriff Margrethe Axelsdatter Urup of the County of Søfed (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Margrethe Urup til Ugerup was widow of Erik Madsen Bølle til Terløse, Elved and Orebygård and Lensmand at Tureby (d. 1562). She did not have any children. The local administration and juridical system was in the hand of a royal appointed Lensmand (County Sheriff) who each administered a Len (fief or tenantcy). It was normally the local manor-owner, and if that was an unmarried woman she was in some cases appointed Lensmand in her own right, in other cases a woman administered the Len after her husband’s death.

 

1563-65 County Sheriff Ingeborg Andersdatter Bille of Øvid Kloster, Denmark

Jomfru Ingeborg Bille held the tenantcy as security for lones. She was a rich landowner and inherited Egedegaard from her two unmarried aunts, Ermegaard Bentdsatter and Birgitte Torbendsdatter Bille who had inherited the estate from their fathers, the brothers’ Bent and Torben who owned it jointly. Both cousins died 1587, and from these three unmarried women – Jomfruer – the estate got the present name, Jomfruens Egede (Egede of the Virgin (or unmarried lady)). She (d. 1608).

 

1563-after 68 County Sheriff Lisbet Johansdatter Urne of the County of Klingstrup, Denmark

Lisbet Urne was widow of Peder Lykke til Skovsbo, granted the tenantcy for life. 1577 she married Johan Bockholt. She (d. 1584).

 

1563-91 County Sheriff Agnete Busksdatter Skenk of the County of Pandumgård with the Shire of Hornum and the Estate of Snorup, Denmark

Agnete Skenk til Brudagergård was widow of Jørgen Jørgensen Prip til Pandumgård len. She (d. before 1599).

 

1563-71 County Sheriff Ellen Pallesdatter Bang of the County of Lønborggård and Lønborg Birk

Ellen Bang was widow of Jørgen Hennekesen Kremon Rantzau til Kærgård og Lønborggård. 1570 she was permitted to keep the tenantcy for 8 years, but it was paid off the following year when she married the German noble Ernst von Reckenberg. Her third husband was
Mads Nielsen Skade.

 

1564-78 Queen Regnant Wisuthatevi of Lanna (Thailand)

Also known as Phra Nang Visuti, Wisutthi Thewi or Wisutthithew (Maha Tewi) she was youngest daughter of Phaya Ket and placed on the throne by the Burmese after King Phra Mekut was deposed, and married to King Burengnong, or Bayinnaung. of Hantawaddy and Pegu, who sacked Ayudhaya in 1569 and continued fighting until his death in 1581. Lanna became a vassal state required to pay annual tribute of gold and silver trees, and manpower as necessary in times of war. She was the last descendent of Mengrai to rule, and after her death, the Burmese sent their own princes to rule in Lanna. (d. 1578).

 

1564-1633 Sovereign Countess Catherine de Clèves-Nevers of Eu and Souveraine de Chateau-Renaud (France)

Successor of her brother, Jacques de Clèves. First married to Antoine de Croÿ, prince of Porcien and in 1570 to Henri de Lorraine, duc

de Guise, who was assassinated in 1588. (1548-1633)..

 

Until 1564 Princess-Abbess Barbara II von Sandizell of Obermünster in Regensburg (Germany)

Her relative, Moritz was Prince-Bishop of Freising until he resigned in 1566.

 

1564-79 Princess-Abbess Barbara III Ratzin of Obermünster in Regensburg (Germany)

1219 the “reichsunmittelbare” – Imperial Immediate – convent came under direct Papal protection and in 1315 Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian appointed the Abbess as Princess of the Realm. Heinrich II granted the convent immunity and during the reign of Konrad II, the abbess even received a royal sceptre. 1484 it was turned into a noble Ladies Chapter (Gräflicher Damenstift) with a seat and vote in the Diet of the Realm and the Princess-Abbess also sat on the Bayrischer Kreis (Bavarian Circle) in 1500, which was the Regional Assembly.

 

1564-70 Princess-Abbess Elisabeth III von Anhalt-Zerbst of Gernrode and Frose (Germany)

As Fürstäbtissin she was member of the Upper Saxon Circle Estate (Reichskreisstandschaft), the regional assembly Member of the Upper Saxon Circle Estate (Reichskreisstandschaft), the regional assembly. She was also member of the College of the Prelates of the Rhine, whose 17 members (Princess-Abbesses and Prince-Abbots) had a joint vote in the Council of the Princes of the Imperial Diet, where the representative of the Prelates sat on the Ecclesiastical Bench. She resigned in order to marry Count Wolfgang II von Barby. She was the youngest daughter of Johann von Anhalt-Zerbst and Margrethe von Brandenburg was succeeded by her niece, Anne Marie von Anhalt, and lived (1545-74).

 

1564-66 Acting County Sheriff Margrethe Andersdatter Reventlow of the County of Åstrup, Denmark
1566-80 County Sheriff of the County of Jegindø

Margrethe Reventlow was the second wife of Erik Krabbe (1510-64), and after his death, she was in charge of the fief until a new Lensmand (County Sheriff) was appointed. Held Jegindø as security for lones until it was paid off by Tyge Krabbe. She lived (1525-1606).

 

1564-73 County Sheriff Johanne Nielsdatter Rotfeld of the County of the Shire of Hindsted, Denmark

Johanne Rotfeld til Eskær was widow of Hans Lykke, but apparently appointed to the tenantcy in her own right.

 

1564-? County Sheriff Karen Jacobsdatter Ged of Gisleberg Len, Denmark

Karine or Karen Ged til Røsøholm og Jordbjærg was widow of Mogens Krabbe til Vegholm og Skillinge, and held the tenantcy as security for lones. (d. 1587).

 

 

1565-circa 76 Regent Dowager Countess Agnes von Bentheim-Steinfurt of Rietberg (Germany)

After the death of her husband Count Johann II of Rietberg, Lord auf Esens, Stedesdorf und Wittmund (1541-1562) she acted as regent for her daughters, Armgard and Waldburgis. The Landgrave of Hessen occupied the county, and in 1565 the

daughters were granted the fief (des Lehens erneut belehnt). In 1567 she granted Wittmund City Rights.

 

1564/65-82 Abbess with the authority of a County Sheriff Margrethe Urne of the Chapter and Town of Maribo and surroundings (Denmark)

Entered the chapter in 1542 and “reigned as Abbess ably and well like no other abbess before or after her”. There were complaints that the chapter was opened to anyone who wanted to visit, the canonesses fought openly and refused to comply with the rule or the abbess, many were drunk on a regular basis, drinking up the fourteen barrels of beer received each year as rent and more. It was also asserted that women’s rooms were used as brothels for any young nobleman who wandered inside. She was daughter of Knud Urne til Søgård, and (d. 1582).

 

1565-76 Hereditary Countess Armgard von Rietberg of Rietberg (Germany)
1576-84 Sovereign Countess of Rietberg

Also known as Irmgard, she was daughter Johann II and Agnes von Bentheim-Steinfurt. After her father’s death, the Landgrave of

Hessen occupied the county, but her mother protested and in 1565 she and her sister, Walburgis, were given back the fief. The latter received the Harlingerlands and Armgard received Rietberg. She was first married to Erich Count von Hoya (from 1568) and from 1578 with Simon VI. von der Lippe. She did not have any children and was succeeded as Countess by her sister, Walburgis.

 

1565-84 Lady Walburgis von Rietberg of the Harlingerland (Germany)
1584-86 Sovereign Countess of Rietberg

The two sisters were granted the territory three years after their father’s death, and in 1576 the inheritance was finally settled. Also

known as Walburga, she was married to Count Enno III von Ostfriesland. After having given birth to two daughters she died two months after the birth of her only son, who only lived a few days. Her two daughters seem to have been taken in the care of her mother-in-law, Anna of Sweden. Walburgis was succeeded by daughter, Sabine Catharina von Ostfriesland (b. 1582) with her father as regent for a number of years. The younger daughter, Agnes, married Lord Gundacar zu Liechtenstein and Nicolsburg in 1603. The marriage-treaties resulted in various lawsuits – the last ended in 1835 – where the Princes of Liechtenstein claimed the County of Rietberg and they still use the weapon and title for sidelines of the family. Walburga was the last of the house of Werl-Arnsberg, and lived (1555/56-86)

 

1565-before 1609 Reigning Marchioness Anne de Croÿ of Renty (Belgium)

Succeeded father, Guillaume and was first married to Emanuel de Lalaing, Seigneur de Montigny (d. 1590) and secondly to Philippe de Croy, Comte de Sole (d. 1612).

 

1565-75 Princess-Abbess Margarethe II zur Lippe of Herford (Germany)

Also Abbess of Freckenhorst 1570, and of Borghorst 1572. She introduced the reformation after years of oppostion by her predecessor, whereafter Herford became a secular protestant Stift – the only one to be reformed. The other Protestant Chapters were Lutheran. She was daughter of Simon V, Count of Noble Lord zur Lippe and Magdalene von Mansfeld. Her sister, Magdalene was sovereign from 1586. She lived (1525-78).

 

1565-74 Acting County Sheriff Birgitte Mogensdatter Gøye of the County of Kapelgård, Denmark
1565-66 County Sheriff of the County of Tølløse
1565-71 Acting County Sheriff of the Counties of Kappelgården and Ringkloster
1571-72 County Sheriff of the County of Åkær
1572 County Sheriff of the County of Ydernæs

After her mother’s death, Birgitte Gøye was brought up at the convent Ringkloster by Skanderborg. Her relationship with her stepmother, Margrethe Sture, was very bad. 1537 she became Lady of the Chamber (Kammerjomfru) of King Dorotheas and became a close friend of Princess Anna, later electress of Sachsen. Married Councillor of the Realm, Admiral Herluf Trolle in 1544 after she had managed to break off another engagement. They had no children, but she was in charge of the upbringing of many young noble ladies who lived with her for numerous years. In 1564 she and Herluf founded Herlufsholm Boarding school for children of the nobility and she was its Chancellor 1565-67. In 1571, after she had lost her other fiefs, Dowager Queen Dorothea, gave her the tenantcy of Åkær by Horsens, but after the Queen’s death, Birgitte also lost this possession, until she was given Ydernæs for life. She lived (circa 1511-74).

 

1565-66 Acting County Sheriff Mette Olufsdatter Rosenkrantz of the County of Kalundborg, Denmark
1565-67 County Sheriff of the County of Strø in Skåne (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

All her life, Mette Rosenkrantz was extremely rich, and together with her sister, Birgitte, she inherited the estate of Vallø, a very big possession, she administered Skarhult for her children of the first marriage with Councillor of the Realm Steen Rosensparre, and her second husband, Chancellor Peder Oxe, had given her possession for life of his enormous lands and the estates of Gisselfeld, Tølløse and Løgismose, which she could not inherit, since they had no children, and she won the cases his relatives raised against her disputing the legality of his transfers. As all other estate owners at the time she went through numerous disputes and court-cases not least because their lands were scattered over big areas, not one unit. She also inherited lands from her mother, Ide Munk (d. 1586), and was probably the biggest landowner of her time and a reformed the way the estates and farms were run. Mother of 3 children, and lived (circa 1533-88).

 

1565-85 County Sheriff Abel Sørensdatter Skeel of the County of Lundenæs with the Shires of Bølling, Ginding, Hammerum and Hjem and the County of Dueholm
1565 Acting County Sheriff of the County of Riberhus Len with the Shires of Gjørding and Skad, Denmark

Abel Skeel was in charge of the fief after the death of her husband, Hr. Niels Hansen Lange Munk til Kærgård, Fadersbøl og Visselbjerg. 1573 King

Frederik 2 asked her to give one of the three bells of the Chapter of Dueholm to the Church of Sct. Clemens Kirke in Nykøbing Mors, as the old bells had been lost in the fire of 1560. She did not have any children, and (d. 1585).

 

1565-67 County Sheriff Elsebe Axelsdatter Brahe of the County of Fliginde (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Elsebe Brahe took over after the death of her husband, Hans Jepsen Skovgaard. She did not have any children her two fiancees prior to her marriage had both died.

 

1565-66 Acting County Sheriff Apollonia Frederiksdatter von Ahlefeldt of the County of Hagenskov with the Shire of Bog, Denmark

Apollonia von Ahlefeldt was widow of Joachim Brockdorff. She was daughter of Frederik von Ahlefeldt, of Pinneburg in Slesvig-Holstein and Catharine Henningsdatter Pogwisch. She was mother of one son, and lived (circa 1515-88).

 

1565-91 County Sheriff Inger Johansdatter Oxe of Lund Sankt Peders Kloster (Then Denmark, Now Sweden) and the County of Søllestedgaard, Denmark
1565-66 Acting County Sheriff of the County of Nykøbning with the two Shires of Falster

Inger Oxe was widow of Jørgen Brahe til Tostrup, who had been appointed County Sheriff of Dowager Queen Sophie, who held Lolland and Falster as her dorwy. As they did not have any chidren they became the foster parents of the later famous astronomer Tycho Brahe. Chief of the Court (Hofmesterinde) of Queen Sophie af Mecklenburg 1572-84. 3 of her sisters, Mette Pernille and Sidsel also were County Sheriffs. She (d. 1592).

 

1565-74 County Sheriff Pernille Johansdatter Oxe of the County of Korsør with the Shires of Flakkebjerg and Slagelse, Denmark

Pernille Oxe was appointed to the tenantcy in succession to her late husband, Admiral Otto Rud, who had died in a Swedish prison. The sister of Inge and Sidsel Oxe and the Chancellor Peder Johansen Oxe, she lived (1530-76).

 

1565-78 County Sheriff Ide Truidsdatter Ulfstand of Hassens Birk
1587 Acting County Sheriff of Marup, Denmark
1589-91 County Sheriff of Mørup in Halland (Then Denmark, now Sweden)

Ide Ulfstand was widow of Falk Gøye, she held Hassens as security for lones and exchanged Marup and Mørup with other properties in an agreement with Eiler Brokkenhuus. Granted Mørup with out any duties to the king when she followed Princess Anne to Sachen. She (d. circa 1604).

 

Around 1565 County Sheriff Birgitte Clausdatter Bille of the County of Svendstrup
1575-? County Sheriff of the County of Ydernæs, Denmark

Birgitte Bille was widow of Christoffer Galle and held the tenantcy as security for lones (Pantelen). She (d. after 1613).

 

1566-86 Co-Guardian Duchess Elisabeth von Pfalz-Simmern of Sachsen-Coburg-Eisenach (Germany)

Her husband, Duke Johann Friedrich II von Sachsen-Coburg-Eisenach, (1529-95), had attempted to win back the dignity of Elector through taking up arms. He was defeated and imprisoned for life by the Emperor and Imperial Diet. She then lived with her brother-in-law, Johann Wilhelm von Sachsen-Weimar, together with her two sons, Johann Casimir von Sachsen-Coburg (1564-1633) and Johann Ernst von Sachsen-Eisenach and after his brother’s death also in Coburg (1566-1638), but later she set up her own court in the Zollhof zu Eisenach, in 1571 at the Castle of Wartburg and finally at the Castle of Eisenberg. In 1570 the Imperial Diet had reinstated her sons and named three electors: Friedrich III. von der Pfalz, August von Sachsen as Johann Georg von Brandenburg as their guardians and in 1572 the duchy was divided in a part for each son. 1578-81 they both studied at the University of Leipzig, and in 1586 they assumed the reigns in their duchies. Johann Friederich II was still imprisoned and died one year after her. Her two oldest sons died in infancy, and she lived (1540-94).

 

1566-1631 Dame Catherine Parthenay-L’Archevêque of Parthenay-Soubise and Mouchamp (France)

Also known as de Parthenay-Larchevêque, she was a poet, dramaturgist and mathematician and a center of the protestant culture in

the North Eastern part of France. 1568 married to Charles de Quélenec Baron du Pont., who died during the Saint Barthelemew’s Night in 1572. A few years later she married René II de Rohan Vicomte de Rohan, Prince de Léon, Comte de Porhoët, and took up residence in Bretange and developped a number of protestant churches. When her husband died in 1586 she concentrated on raising her 5 children and in 1627-28 she participated in the defence of the City of Rochelle against the armies of Cardinal de Richelieu.. After the fall of the city she was imprisoned at the Castles of Blain and Josselin. Her oldest son, Duke Henri II de Rohan-Soubise (1579-1638), became chief of the Huguenot Party together with Condé, Coligny and Henri de Navarre and was succeeded by his daughter, Marguerite de Rohan upon his death. Catherine was daughter of another Huguenot leader, Jean V (1512-1566) and Antoinette Bouchard (d. 1580), and lived (1554-1631).
Sidsel Oxe

 

1566-? County Sheriff Sidsel Johansdatter Oxe of the County of Broby (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)
1571-92 County Sheriff of the County of Rødinge, Denmark
1573-74 Dowager County Sheriff of the County of Ålborghus with the Shires of Års, Flæskum, Gislum, Hindsted, Hornum, Horns, Hvetbo and Kære and the County of Viskumgård

Sidsel Oxe was daughter of Johan Oxe til Nielstrup and Mette Mogensdatter Gøye and was appointed tenant in her own right. When her husband, Councillor of the Realm, Erik Jørgensen Podebusk til Bidstrup died, she administered the tenantcy. He inheited Øster Velling Birk from his mother, Ermegård Andersdatter Bille, when she died 1564. In 1593 Sidsel was granted the jurisdiction of Øster Velling, giving her right to appoint the judge (birkedommer) and received the income from the costs of the proceedings and fines. She (d. 1593).

 

1566-68 County Sheriff Margrethe Nielsdatter Rotfeldt of the County of Ulvskov, Denmark

Margrethe Rotfeldt was widow of Hans Mandrupsen Holk, who defended Varberg Castle in Halland against the Swedish troops, but was run over and held prisoner with her and their 2 children. He died shortly after and they were freed the following year. She lived (circa 1540-75).

 

1566-68 County Sheriff Sidsel Eilersdatter Bryske of Vissenbjerg Birk, Denmark

Sidsel Bryske inherited the tenantcy from her brother, Antonius (Klausen) Bryske. She was widow of Eskild Gøye. She (d. 1573).

 

1566-76 County Sheriff Maren Eilersdatter Friis of the County of Vejstrupgård, Denmark

Marine or Maren Friis was widow of Claus Brockenhuus, she held the tenantcy for life. She (d. 1576).

 

1566-73 Princess-Abbess Barbara II von Liechtenstein-Murau of Göss bei Leoben (Austria)

Possibly daughter of Otto von Liechtenstein-Murau (d. 1564) and Benigna von Liechtenstein (of the later Princes of Liechtenstein) (d. 1579). Her parents were not related.

 

1566-70 Reigning Abbess-General Inés Manrique de Lara y Castro of the Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos (Spain)

Daughter of Pedro Manrique de Lara y Sandoval, Count de Treviño, Duke de Nájera, Señor de Amusco, Navarrete etc., Chief Treasurer of Vizcaya, Chief Notary of the Kingdom of León, Capitain General of the fronteres of Aragón, Navarra and Jaén and the army of Navarra and Guiomar de Castro
Korean Queen

 

1567-68 Regent Dowager Queen Shim of Korea

Also known as In-sun Wang-hu, she was the widow of Myongjong (1534-1567), and adopted the third son of Prince Tok-hung, who then succeeded his uncle as Kun Jong-jon or Sonjo (1552-1608). She lived (1532-75).

 

1567-79 Regent Dowager Countess Margarethe von Braunschweig-Lüneburg of Mansfeld zu Hinter-Ort (Germany)

After the death of her husband, Count Johann von Mansfeld, she took over the regency for son Ernst VI (1561-1609). She was daughter of Duke Ernst I von Braunschweig-Lüneburg and Sofie von Mecklenburg, and lived (1534-96).

 

1567-1625 Politically influential Queen Anna af Danmark of Scotland and England (United Kingdom)

The newest research shows that she was very influential during the reign of her husband, James VI of Scotland and from 1603 James I of England. She was a shrewd and powerful player in the court politics of Scotland and, later, England. Her influence can be seen in James’s choices for advisors and beneficiaries of royal attention. She also developed an alternative court and sponsored many of the other artistic ventures in one of the most productive and innovative periods of English cultural history. James’ and Anna’s longstanding dispute over the raising of the heir, Henry, caused a major scandal of the time and was suspected as a plot against the king’s safety. In order to assert her own power, Anna actually forced a miscarriage upon herself; an event that is referred to in much hitherto unnoticed contemporary diplomatic correspondence. She lived (1574-1619)

 

1567-70 Acting County Sheriff Gørvel Fadersdatter Sparre of the Counties of Vefre and Høgby, Denmark
1570-72 Acting County Sheriff of Helne Kirke in Land (Allehelgenes Kloster)
1574-81 Acting County Sheriff of the County Verpinge (Skåne)
1574-1605 County Sheriff of the County of Borgeby
1582-1605 County Sheriff of Börreringe Kloster and the Shire of Frost (Frostherred)
1586-1605 County Sheriff of the County of Sørby
1599-1605 County Sheriff of the County of Skøtsherred
1601-05 County Sheriff of the Counties of Hiöby and Lindholm in Skåne (Now Sweden)

Gørvel Sparre was one of the last members of the so-called “Nordic nobility” which existed during the Union between Denmark, Norway and Sweden as

she had possessions in all three countries. She was an only child and inherited Norway’s largest estate Giske from her mother’s brother in 1537. During the The Count’s Feud 1534-36 she was kept prisoner with her seven stepchildren at her second husband’s estate, Varberg in Skåne, and also gave birth to her only son, who died 1548. She secured her possessions by giving large grants to the king, and in exchange she became Lensmand (County Sheriff) for life of Verpinge, and she were later given other fiefs to administer for the crown for life. She continued to grant most of her Norwegian estates to the crown, and in 1601 she appointed king Christian 4 as her sole heir after the death of her only child, Nils Ulfstad. In a number of her tenantcies, she also held pastorial rights. Married to the Swedish Councillor of the Realm, Peder Nilsson Grip (d. 1533), Truid Gregersen Ulfstand (d. 1445) and Lave Axelsen Brahe (d. 1567). She lived (circa 1509-1605).

 

1567-.. County Sheriff Tale Holgersdatter Ulfstand of the County of Rørum, Denmark
1595-99 County Sheriff of the County of Hesselbjerg in Skåne (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Tale Ulfstand’s husband, Poul Pedersen (Laxmand) den yngre til Stenholt, died 1557. At first she administered Rørum jointly with Else Ulfstand and later with Lisbeth Rosenkrantz. She owned the castles of Skabersjö, Häckeberga and Høgestad in Denmark and in the landscapes that was conquered by Sweden in 1658.

 

1567 Acting County Sheriff Vibeke Clausdatter Podebusk of the County of Odensegård
1567-68 Acting County Sheriff of the Conty Stege with the two Shires of Møn, Denmark

Viveke or Vibeke Podebusk was widow of Evert Bildt. She held Herrested as security for lones. She was owner of Raunholt and

Lindholm Castle and in 1580 was granted the jurisdiction of Raunholt, which meant that she had the right to appoint the judge (birkedommer) and received the income from the costs of the proceedings and fines.). She (d. 1596).

 

1567-79 County Sheriff Karen Eriksdatter Banner of the County of the Shire of Rugsø, Denmark
1580-82 County Sheriff of the County of Satsø
1582-1611 County Sheriff of the County of Orlofgård
1611 Acting County Sheriff of the County of Jungshoved
1611 Acting County Sheriff of the County of Vordingborg with the Shire Bårse, Hammer and Tybjerg

Karen Banner til Høgholt held the teantcy as security for a lone to her husband, Gregers Truedsen Ulfstand, who was County Sheriff 1548-80, and held the fief of Orlofgård after the death of her first husband Gregers Ulfstand and the fief of Jungshoved after the second, Henrik Lykke til Overgaard og Hverringe. She inherited the estate of Gisselfeld and Ryegård in 1588 after the death of Mette Rosenkrantz til Vallø, who had inherited it from her husband, Karen’s uncle, Peder Oxe in 1575. (d. 1611).

 

1567-91 County Sheriff Birgitte Eilersdatter Rønnow of the County of Kirkeby, Denmark

Birgitte Rønnow was widow of Henning Jørgensen Qvitzow til Sandager, Rørbæk, Lykkesholm and Falde (1513-1569), who had first

been married to Ide Thomesdatter Lange to Lydum (d. 1553). She (d. 1590).

 

1567-91 County Sheriff Anne Nielsdatter Friis of the County of Gudumlund, Denmark

Anne Friis held the biscopal fief for life until she handed it over to Jens Kaas. She was married to Chresten Krabbe, mentioned to Viumgård in 1592.

 

1567-1610 Princess-Abbess Maria Segesser von Brunegg of Gutenzell (Germany)

She is considered one of the most important rulers of the territory. During the visitation in 1574, by the Abbot of Bodenseezisterze, who was in charge of the clerical affairs and responsible for the economic affairs, the 47 Heggbachers and other neighbouring convents were praised for their piety and it lasted another 50 years before the convent reforms were introduced. Another version of her name is Maria von Segesser aus Brunegg.

 

1567-90 Royal Abbess Magdalena von Habsburg of the Royal Chapter of Hall in Tirol (Königliches Damenstift Hall) (Austria-Hungary)

She founded the royal Chapter for royal and noble ladies that existed until 1783. She lived there with her two sisters, Margaretha and

Helena. Daughter of Emperor Ferdinand I and Anna of Hungary, she lived (1532-90)

 

1568-circa 72 Regent Dowager Duchess Anna-Maria von Brandenburg–Ansbach of Württemberg (Germany)

Widow of Christoph (1515-50-68) and regent for son Ludwig (1554-68-93) together with her brother Margrave Georg-Friedrich of

Brandenburg, Margrave Karl von Baden and Pfalzgraf Wolfgang von Zweibrücken. The mother of 12 children, she lived (1526-89).

 

Circa 1568-97 Sovereign Marquise Renée d’Anjou of Mézières, Countess de Saint-Fargeau (France)

The only child and heiress of Nicolas d’Anjou, marquis de Mézières and Gabrielle de Mareuil, she was married to François, Prince-Dauphin d’Auvergne, Duc de Montpensier (1582), duc de Saint-Argau (1572) and de Châtellerault (1582/84), who lived (circa 1542-92). She was succeeded by her son, Henri de Bourbon, duc de Montpensier, de Châtellerault et de Saint-Fargeau, prince souverain de Combes, prince de la Roche-sur-Yon, dauphin d’Auvergne, marquis de Mézières et chevalier des ordres du roi, gouverneur du Dauphiné et de Normandie, and lived (1550-97).

 

1568-80 Princess-Abbess Renée de Dinteville of Remiremont, Dame of Saint Pierre and Metz (France)

Coadjutrice 1565-68 and elected Abbess because duke Charles III of Lorraine preferred an Abbess from the local nobility of the Duchy.

1579 was forced to accept Barbe de Salm as Coadjutrice of the Chapter. She was the issue of a noble family of high-ranking courtiers.

 

1568-78 Reigning Abbess Marie III de de Bernemiscourt of Bourbourg, Lady of Oxelaere, Noordpeene, Faumont and Coutiches (France)

Daughter of Lord of Thieuloye and Lievin.

 

1568-92 Reigning Abbess Margarethe von Goeberg of Wald, Lady of the Offices of Wald, Vernhof and Ennigerloh (Germany)

The General of the Order of the Cisterciensers (Ordensgeneral) visited the chapter in 1573.

 

1568-69 Acting County Sheriff Rigborg Lauridsdatter Tinhuus of the County of Silkeborg, Denmark

Rigmor Tinhuus til Julskov was widow of Hans Johansen Lindenov. She was mother of 1 son and 2 daughters, and (d. 1572).

 

1569 Queen Visutthikasat of Ayutthaya (Ayudhaya) (Thailand)

Also known as Thepkasattery or Khun Pirenthep, she was the last of the old ruling family, her husband, Mahathammaracha (Maha

Tammaradschathirat or King Maha Thammaraja), Chief of the Sukhothai, was king (1569-90). She is not listed as Queen Regent in most chronologies, but the Thai National Museum in Bangkok list her as such.

 

1569-1623 Sovereign Princess Marie de Penthièvre of Martigues (France)

Created Princess after her father, Sébastien de Luxembourg, Duke de Penthièvre, was killed. She married Philibert-Emmanuel de Lorraine, duc de Meroeur (d. 1602). And their daughter brought Martigues to her husband, Cécar de Bourbon-Vendôme, legitimated son of Henri IV.

 

Circa 1569-72 Sovereign Lady Jeanne de Mérode of Veulen (Belgium)

Her brother died in 1569, but the date of her accession has not been confirmed.

 

1569-84 Joint Guardian Dowager Duchess Anna von Hessen of Pfalz-Zweibrücken-Veldenz-Parkstein and Pfalz-Birkenfeld-Zweibrücken (Germany)

After the death of her husband Duke Wolfgang von der Pfalz-Zweibrücken (1526-69), she became joint guardian for their fourth and fifth sons,

Friedrich von der Pfalz-Zweibrücken-Veldenz-Parkstein (1557-97) and Karl (1560-) together with her brother Onkels Landgraf Wilhelm IV. von Hessen-Kassel, Kurprinz Ludwigs VI. von der Pfalz and her two older sons Philipp Ludwig von Pfalz-Neuburg und Johann I. von der Paflz-Zweibrücken. She was mainly engaged with her sons upbringing and education – in the orthodox Lutheran faith. She had a total of 13 children. Her sister, Agnes, was In-charge of the Government of Sachesen 1546-53 and Reigning Dowager Lady of Weissenfels and Weissensee 1553-55. Anna lived (1529-91).

 

1569-80 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Duchess Margarete von Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel of the Administrative Office and Castle of Staufenburg in Harz in Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel (Germany)

At the time of ther marriage to Johann von Münsterberg zu Oels in Slesia she was granted the Castle and Lordship of Frankenstein as her dowry with the approval of the Estates, but after her husband’s death in 1565, her stepson sold the castle and she engaged in a dispute that lasted until 1577 when Emperor Rudolf II as King of Bohemia finalised a compromise. In the meantime her brother, Duke Julius von Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel in Calenberg und Göttingen, granted her the Castle as her dowry, which she transformed into a hospital. She lived (circa 1516-80).

 

1569-83 Politically Active Queen Katarina Jagellonica of Sweden

Originally named Katarzyna Jagiellonka, she was the youngest daughter of Sigismund I of Poland and Bona Sforza. In 1562 Katarina and the duke

Johan (Brother to king Erik) got married, a marriage that was not blessed by king Erik. As a result Johan and Katarina was thrown in to jail at Gripsholms Castle. During their prison period Katarina gave birth to Isabella and Sigismund. 1566 Tsar Ivan in Russia demanded that Katarina Jagellonica would be extradited to him. King Erik liked the idea but As he was forced to abdicate in 1568 he didn’t get the chance to realize the extradition. As Queen Katarina tried to re-establish the catholic church in Sweden. As she had good contact with (among other) Cardinal Hosius and her husband was interested in the new reforms, which had been carried out in the catholic church, she made good progress. Her death marked the end of the attempt to re-establish the catholic church in Sweden. She lived (1526-83).

 

1569 Joint Leader of the Northern Rebellion Lady Jane Howard in England (United Kingdom)

Another of the rebellion-leaders. Her husband the 6th Earl of Westmoreland, Charles Neville, was another of the leaders of the failed rebellion. In effect she had more to do with raising the troops than he did. She was well educated but not the cleverest when it came to understanding political machinations. She was first to urge the rebels to rise up against the queen and yet she expected Elizabeth to pardon her when they failed. She hoped to arrange the marriage of her brother, the Duke of Norfolk, to Mary Queen of Scots and put them both on England’s throne. Norfolk was executed for treason in 1572. Jane Howard lived under house arrest for the rest of her life, while her husband fled to the Continent and lived there in exile. She lived (1537-93).

 

1569 Joint Leader of the Northern Rebellion Lady Anne Somerset in England (United Kingdom)

One of the leaders of the Rebellion of the Earls of Northern England revolted against Elizabeth in order to restore Catholicism to England. The rebels hoped to free Mary, Queen of Scots from captivity. Queen Elizabeth put down the rebellion, and her troops killed 3. 000 of the rebels Lady Anne escaped to the Netherlands in 1570 and died here. Marred to Thomas Percy, 1st. Earl of Northumberland who had a very important role in the Rising of the North, he fled to Scotland once that rebellion was defeated, where he was captured by the Earl of Morton and handed over to the English government, and publicly executed in 1572. The Earldom went to her brother-in-law and the estates inherited by their four daughters. She was daughter of the Earl of Worcester, and lived (1538-91).

 

1569-98 Princess-Abbess Anna II von Kirmbreith of Niedermünster in Regensburg (Germany)

As Reichsprältin (Imperial Prelate), the Fürstäbtissin had a vote in the College of the Prelates of the Rhine, whose 17 members (Princess-Abbesses and Prince-Abbots) had a joint vote in the Council of the Princes of the Holy Roman Diet (Reichstag), where the representative of the Prelates sat on the Ecclesiastical Bench. (Geistliche Bank der Reichsfürstenrat) and she was also member of the Geistlischen Fürstenbank (Lords Spiritual) of the Bavarian Circle (Bayrischer Kreis).

 

1569-circa 1601 Princess-Abbess Marie I van Hoensbroek of Nivelles, Dame Temporaire and Spirituelle of Nivelles (Belgium)

One of her ancestors, Knight Herman Hoen, was appointed Lord van Hoensbroek by Duchess Johanna van Brabant in 1388 for his service at war. The family were later given the title of Count.

 

1569 Abbess Nullius Isabella II Acquaviva of the Royal Convent of Saint Benedetto in Conversano, Temporal and Secular Ruler of Conversano (Italy)

The list of Abbesses of the chapter is not complete and there are at least two different versions of the chronology of the reign of the Abbesses, and in an alternative list, she appears as ruler in 1621. She was another member of the family of the Counts of Conversano.

 

1570-1609 Ratu Loharaung of Tagulandang (Indonesia)

Daughter of a local minor ruler, Raja Bowntehu, she became the first monarch of whole Tagulandang. Succeeded by Prince Balango, the son of her daughter, Princess Tansekoa.

 

Together with her son, Duke Albrecht V von Bayern (1528-79), she was guardian for her grandson, Margrave Philipp II von Baden-Baden (1559-69-99) after the death of both his parents, Philibert (1536-54-69) and Mechtild von Bayern (1532-65) (Her daughter). Philbert, had inherited Baden-Baden from his father, Bernhard III, who was her uncle, and who had inherited his share of the state when her father died as she was his only child. The other share was inherited by her other uncle Ernst I, and their decendants: Christoph, Philipp and Karl von Baden-Durlach claimed the regency, but she had already received the homage by the inhabitants and Estates (“die Erbhuldigung eingenommen”) and was confirmed as regent by the Emperor. She lived (1507-80).

 

1570-81 Reigning Dowager Duchess Katharina von Mecklenburg of Hainau (Chojnów) (Poland)

In 1538 she was married to Duke Friederich III von Liegnitz and held the Slesian Duchy as her dowry. Also known as Katarzyna Meklemburska, she was daughter of Duke Heinrich V von Mecklenburg and Helena von der Pfalz, mother of sons and 3 daughters, and lived (1518-81).

 

Around 1570 Leader of the Immigration to Kiribati Nei Anginimaeao
Around 1570 Chief of Tabiang in Kiribati

According to the oral history, she lead the immigration to the Kiribati islands together with her brother, Na Kouteba, who commanded a fleet of canoes which left Beru, not long after the wars had started under Tem Mwea, when Bakarerenteiti was Uea of Beru. No one was in danger of losing lands on Beru Island and it seems probable that she and her followers thought it a good time to settle on an island not quite so crowded. Others had left during the wars and settled on most of the islands to the north as far as Marakei. She clearly knew exactly where she was going and what she was going to do, and she did it with superb skill. Afterwards she became chief of parts of the islands.

 

Around 1570 Chief Nei Teborata of Toakira (Kiribati)

One of the followers of Nei Anginimaeao, who gave her the territory to administer on her own. Kiribati still has female chiefs. If there are only daughters in the family, the eldest daughter would be called Chiefess but the nearest male relative will do the work until the son of the Chiefess will be old enough to take it on. The succession passes to the firstborn child, and if the eldest child is a daughter she will be called Chief but her eldest brother will do the work until her eldest son is old enough to take it on.

 

1570-71 Joint County Sheriff Margrethe Nielsdatter Bild of the County of Ørbæk, Denmark

Margrethe Bild was given the tenantcy for life together with her husband, Henrik Friis til Hesselager, who died in March 1571. She died two months

later. They had 13 children together. (d. 1571).

 

Until 1570 County Sheriff Karen Pederdatter Fikkesen of the County of Gedestorp, Denmark

Karen Fikkesen was widow of Mads Torbernsen til Sandby (of the Hässelholm family), and held the tenantcy as security for loans (Pantelen).

 

Until 1570 County Sheriff Karen Krumstrup of Toreby Birk, Denmark

Widow of Lave Urne, she held it as security for lones jointly with Jakob Brockenhuus.

 

1570-77 Princess-Abbess Anne Marie von Anhalt of Gernrode and Frose (Germany)

Also known as Anna Maria von Anhalt-Bernburg-Zerbst, she succeeded her aunt as the first of 4 sisters to occupy the now titular dignity as Fürstäbtissin. The territory had in reality been incorporated into the Principality of Anhalt, with her father as “administrator” and holder of Gernrode’s vote in the Diet of the Realm (Reichstag). She resigned in order to marry Duke Joachim Friederich Schlesien, Duke of Liegnitz, Brieg and Wohlau (1550-1602), and became mother of 6 children. She was daughter of Prince Joachim Ernst von Anhalt and Eleonore von Württemberg, and lived (1551-1605).

 

1570-81 Reigning Abbess-General Francisca Manrique of the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos (Spain)

Daughter of Fadrique Manrique de Lara y Manrique de Lara, Mariscal de Castilla, Señor de Fueguinaldo etc. and doña Antonia de Valencia, Señora of the family which originated from the Kingdom of Castilla.

 

1571-1600 Princess-Abbess Anna Jakobäa von Sulzbach of Säckingen (Germany)

As the only canoness remaining in the Chapter, she was elected by the canons. Expanded the possessions of the chapter and continued the building projects of her predecessor and 1575 the new residence of the chapter (Stiftsgebäude) was finished. The year before Ursula Giel had entered the chapter and was soon after followed by 2 other ladies. Also known as Maria Jacobe, she lived (1538-1600).

 

1571-72 Acting County Sheriff Beate Klausdatter Bille of the County of Rødinge and the Shire of Frost (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)
Until 1575 County Sheriff of Vissenbjerg Birk, Denmark

Beate Bille was married to Otto Tygesen Brahe, Councillor of the Realm and Fief-holder of Helsingborg. She administered the tenantcy in Skåne, now Sweden, jointly with Sidsel Oxe. Among her children were the famous astronomer Tycho Brahe, and Margrethe, who was County Sheriff (Lensmand) of Lanskrona in 1612, and lived (1526-1605).

 

1571-.. County Sheriff Magdalene of the County of Møgeltønder, Denmark

Widow of Claus Rantzau.

 

1571-87 County Sheriff Karen Ottesdatter Blome of the County of Hørbygård, Denmark

Karen Blome was widow of Mogens Godske (of the Bielke Family), who had previsously been married to Margrethe Torbendsdatter Sparre. She was from Holstein and her family was close to the king, who gave them joint ownership of the tenantcy of Hørbygård from 1539 and he later held many tenantcies and fiefs. She (d. 1587).

 

1571-74 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Margravine Katharina von Braunschweig of Crossen in Brandenburg-Küstrin (Germany)

During the reign of her husband, Markgraf Johann von Küstrin, she was instrumental in the spread of the Reformation in the Margraviate of Brandenburg. She had so-called “wild garden” in a suburb of Küstrin and other goods in Schaumburg, Drew and her favorite seat Dębno, a gift from her husband. She settled Dutch religious refugees here, who started a vibrant clothi-making industry. She built a school and a church and in 1562, Dębno was granted a city charter. Also founded the first pharmacy in Ośno Lubuskie and built another in Küstrin from which she provided the poor with free medicine. She was very popular, was known by the population as Mother Käte. She was mother of 2 daughters, and lived (1518-74).

 

1571-1614 Hereditary Countess Elisabeth von Stolberg of Wertheim and Bereuberg (Germany)

The 3 daughters of Count Ludwig of Stolberg, Lord of Wertheim am Main and Königstein am Taunus were joint heiresses. Their husbands: Count Dietrich VI von Manderscheid-Schleiden, Philipp von Eberstein and Ludwig von Löwenstein alternated in the government for one year at the time until the possessions were divided in 1581. Elisabeth’s first husband died in 1593 and the following year she married Wilhelm von Kreichingen. She had no children.

 

1572-1604 Sovereign Duchess Catherine de Bourbon de Navarra of Albret, Comtesse d’Armagnac and Rodez
1577 Lieutenant-général of Béarn
1582-92 Regent of Béarn (France)

Succeeded her mother, Juana III of Navarra in some of her fiefs, and was also Princess of Navarra and “Madame France” through her father, Antoine de Vendôme. She was heir presumptive to the throne of Navarre, the County of Bearn, the Co-Principality of Andorra and the Duchy of Donnezan. Her brother, King Henri III of Navarra, became Henri IV of France in 1589 and two years after her death she had a son. She was married to Henri de Lorraine, Duc de Bar, who was succeeded by his daughter by the second marriage, Nicoläa. Catharine had no children, and lived (1559-1604).

 

Circa 1572-1605 Sovereign Countess Marie de Brimeu of Megen (The Netherlands)

It is not clear if she was the direct successor of Charles de Brimeu, who died 1572, but she is recorded as regent of the Free Imperial

County jointly with her husband, Charles de Croÿ-Aarschot, Duke of Croÿ and Prince de Chimay, who died 1610, and was succeeded by a distant relative, François Henri de Croÿ-Crecques.

 

1572-90 Guardian Dowager Countess Dorothea von Solms-Sonnenwalde of Reuss zu Gera (Germany)

Her son, Heinrich II Posthumous (1572-1635), was born 2 months after her husband, Heinrich XVI Reuss zu Plauen, Gera and Krainchfeld, died in April, and she was guardian while some male relatives acted as regents. Her son was also Lord of 1/6 of Lobstein from 1577 and 1/3 of Ober-Kranichfeld from 1596 until he inherited all the estates of Ober-Kranichfeld and Lobenstein in 1616. She lived (1547-95).

 

1572-90 Countess Regnant Marguerite de Foix of Candale, d’Astarac et de Bénauges (France)

After her brother, Henri, was killed at Sommiéres, she inherited her family’s possessions. She was married to Jean-Louis de Nogaret de la Valette, Duc d’Epernon (1554-1642), but had no children. She imprisoned her sister, Madame Françoise de Candale (d. 1649), and forced her to become a nun, but after her death, she left the convent and started a process in order to gain the family possessions. Marguerite lived (1567-93).

 

1572-1624 Reigning Abbess Jehanne I de Bourbon of Jouarre (France)

Her sister, Charlotte, had been Abbess before her, but became a protestant and later married Willem van Oranje-Nassau, Stadtholder

of the Netherlands. Another sister was Louise, Abbess of Faremoutier, (1548-86). They were Duc Louis II de Bourbon “le Bon” de Montpensier, etc, and his first wife Jacqueline de Longwy, Countess de Bar sur Seine. She lived (1541-1624).

 

1572-73 and 1576-79 County Sheriff Dorthe Iversdatter Krabbe of Spøtrup, Denmark

Jomfru Dorthe Krabbe was granted the tenantcy jointly with her fiancé, Count Günther von Barby, but he died, and she married Benedikt von Ahlefeldt, who was County Sheriff 1573-76. After his death she married Erik Lykke.

 

1572-1604 Overseer of the Crown Lands Zofia Działyńska of Brodnica, Poland

As representative of the king she was in charge of certain aspects of the local administration.

 

1573 Regent Dowager Duchess Dedis Imedi Bagration of Samtzkhe (Georgia)

Governed in the name of her son Minucihr after the death of her husband, Duke Kaihosro II Djakeli. After the Ottomans conquered the country, he converted to Islam and took the name, Mustafa, and she was bestowed with 3 villages. She was daughter of Duke Bagrat I of Muchrani, and (d. 1580).

 

1573-76 Princess-Abbess Anna II von Harrach of Göss bei Leoben (Austria)

Possibly daughter of Count Leonhard III von Harrach and Barbara von Gleinitz and widow of Leonhard von Sinzendorf (1506-48). She lived (1510-76).

 

1573 Acting County Sheriff Anne Corfitzdatter Hardenberg of the County of Helsingborg (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Of high nobility, Anne Hardenberg was chambermaid to Queen Dorothea 1557-71, and here she got to know king Frederik 2 (king from 1559) who fell

in love with her, and wanted to marry her, but this met widespread opposition. In 1572 she married Councillor of the Realm, Oluf Mouritsen Krognos, who died after only six months marriage. She lived at her dowry Bregentved and managed to keep her husband’s family at distance with the help of the royal family. She (d. 1589).

 

Circa 1573-81 County Sheriff Margrethe Christensdatter Sandbjerg of Øland and Vig Len, Denmark

Margrethe Sandberg was widow of Niels Kjeldsen Juel til Astrup, Bøvling Len og Vilstedgård Len. (d. 1581).

1574-84 Regent Dowager Duchess Françoise de Bourbon-Vendôme of Sedan (Sagan) (France)

She took the reins after death of her husband Henri-Robert de La March, Duke of Sagan and Titular Duke of Bouillon, in the name of her son Guillaume-Robert (1562-88), who was succeeded by sister, Charlotte. Françoise was daughter of Louis III de Montpensier and Jacqueline de Longwy, comtesse de Bar-sur-Seine and lived (1539-1587)

 

 

1574-84 Princess-Abbess Elisabeth II zu Regenstein of Quedlinburg (Germany)

Daughter of Count Ulrich VI of Regenstein (Reinstein) and Countess Magdalena von Stolberg.

 

Until 1574 Princess-Abbess Magdalena zu Wied-Runkel of Elten (Germany)

She was daughter of Count Johan III zu Wied and Elisabeth of Nassau-Dillenburg. (d. 1574).

 

1574-78 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Countess Walburga zu Wied of the Town, Adminsitrative Office and Winery of Butzbach in Stolberg (Germany)

Widow of Count Ludwig zu Stolberg, whose sister was Princess-Abbess Anna II von Quedlinburg. Her own sister was Princess-Abbess

Magdalena von Elten. Her husband inherited Königstein from his relative Count Eberhard IV zu Eppstein-Königstein in 1535, Wertheim, Breuberg from his daughter Katharina, the widow of the last count of Wertheim und Breuberg, Michael III, in 1556 and it fell to their younger daughter Anna zu Stolberg-Rochefort and her husband Ludwig III von Löwenstein in 1598. (d. 1578).

 

1574 Acting County Sheriff Kirstine Clausdatter Ulfeldt of the County of Koldinghus with the Shires of Brusk, Jerlev, Holmans, Tørrild and ½ of Andst, Denmark

Kirstine Ulfeldt was widow of Morten Svendsen (Orning) til Eget, who had been appointed Lensmand of Koldinghus in 1563 by Queen Dorothea, who held it as her dowry. He was member of a poor noble family and had first been married to Maren Clausdatter (Strangesen), widow of Godske Holck. Kirstine had first been married to Poul Abildgaard til Vranderup, and (d. 1589).

 

1574 Acting County Sheriff Gørvel Abrahamsdatter Gyldenstierne of the Counties of Høgsted, Katsløse and Magleby in Skåne (Then Denmark, now Sweden)
1574-77 County Sheriff of Bekkeskov Kloster, Denmark

Gørvel Gyldenstierne til Asserbo had exchanged other property to get the 3 tenantcies. She had first been married to Gert Jensen Ulfstand til Bønnet and secondly to Laue Truedsen Ulfstand til Torup. She (d. 1577).

 

1574 Acting County Sheriff Berite Eriksdatter Banner of the County of Vester Skerning, Denmark

Berite Danner exchanged the tenantcy with other lands. Her first husband, Claus Bryske died 1565, in 1578 she married Knud Bille (d. 1592). She (d. 1591).

Until 1574 Marquise Marie de Clèves de l’Isle, Countess de Beaufort (France)

Daughter of Francois I de Clèves, Duke of Nevers. 1574 she married Henri I de Bourbon, Prince de Condé, Duc d’Enghien, and died during the birth of her daughter, Catherine de Bourbon, Marquise d’Isles (1574-95). She lived (1553-74).

 

1574-95 Marquise Catherine de Bourbon of de l’Isle, Countess de Beaufort (France)

Succeeded mother, Marie de Clèves, who died during her birth. Catherine lived (1574-95).

 

1574-83 Politically Influential Nurbanu Sultan Valide Sultan of The Ottoman Empire (Covering Turkey, Greece, The Balkans, parts of the Middle East and Northern Africa)

When her husband, Selim III died, she kept his corpse in an icebox to conceal the death until her son, Murad III (1574-95), could be

summoned from Manisa, where he was governor. He arrived 12 days later, and she run the government together with the Grand Vizier Sokollu Mehmet Pasha and became the chief advisor of her son. She also carried on a correspondence with the regent of France, Catherine de’ Medici, promoting good relations between the two courts. She was the first of influential women in the period called the Sultanate of Women. Probably born as Cevilia Venier-Baffo, the illegitimate issue of two Venetian noble families, and was she captured by the Turks on the Aegean Island of Paros in 1537, and lived (1525-83).

 

1575-86 Rex Poloniae Anna Jagiellonka of Poland

Succeeded her father, King Zygmunt I the Old of Poland, and was co-regent with her husband Stefan Batory, but she was not

politically influential and only titular “king”. After the death of her husband, she introduced nephew Zygmunt Vasa of Sweden (the son of her sister) on the throne. She was a follower of the Contra-reformation, and lived (1523-96).

 

1575-1605 17th Alii Aimoku Kaikilani of Hawai’i (USA)

Succeeded Queen Kaikilani who reigned sometime in the 15th century, and she first married her cousin Kanaloakua’ana, 16th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii and secondly to Lonoikamakahiki, joint Alii Aimoku of Hawaii, younger son of Keawe-nui Aumi, 16th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii, and succeeded by son, Keakealanikane, 18th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii.

 

After 1575-86 Regent Dowager Margravine Cecilia Vasa of Baden-Rodemachern (Germany)

Also known as Cäcilia Wasa, she was allowed to take over the regency after many years of processes against the stipulation in the will of her husband, Christoph II of Baden (1537-75). Her son, Eduard Fortunatus von Baden (1565-1600), was Margrave of Baden-Baden (1588-96). She lived a stormy life and travelled a lot. She spent a year in London, where her oldest son was born, and became a friend of Queen Elizabeth I. At some point she lived at her dowry Arboga in Sweden where she started an iron-mine and was behind piracy at the Baltic Sea. When her son died, his oldest son Wilhelm was only 7. He did not become Margrave of Baden-Baden until 1621 and it is not clear if either Cecilia or her daughter-in-law, Marie von Eichen (d. 1636), played any role during his minority. Apart from her oldest son she was mother of 5 sons who all were unmarried or died young. The daughter of King Gustav I Vasa of Sweden and his second wife Margareta Eriksdotter Leijonhufvud, she lived (1540-1627).

 

1575-78 Princess-Abbess Elisabeth VI von Manderscheid-Blankenheim-Gerolstein of Essen (Germany)

All the Ladies of the Chapter had the right to participate in the Landtag of the Ecclesiastical Territory of Essen, which met at least once a year in the Great Hall of the Chapter, but the Secretary of the Chapter or other office-holders often represented them. She was in close contact with her brother, Count Hermann and resigned in order to marry Count Wirich von Daun-Falkenstein. Her sister, Margareta, was Princess-Abbess of Eltern and Vreden until her death in 1602. Elisabeth was daughter of Count Arnold and Margaretha von Wied, and lived (1544-86).

 

1575-86 Princess-Abbess Felicitas I von Eberstein of Herford (Germany)

At this time the line of Hereditary Stewarts, the Lords von Helfenstein, was dying out. The last Lord, Johann XIV, had one daughter, Wilhelmina, who married Otto von Rolshausen, who was granted the Lordship of Mühlbach by Felicitas Countess von Eberstein.

 

1575-87 Princess-Abbess Barbara III Blarer von Wartensee of Schänis (Switzerland)

Reached a compromise with the villages in Gasterland and Kerenzen about the tithe. Her brother Johann Jakob was Provost of Bischofzel and another relative of hers, Jakob Christian Blarer von Wartensee, was Bishop of Basel – he lived (1542-1608). Her family had owned the Borough of Wartensee and in 1405 they got the “Landrecht” of the Appenzelle-Canton and stayed out of the Appenzeller-wars. The daughter of Kasper, Chief steward of Arbon and Siguna von Diesbach, and lived (1536-87).

 

1575-1611 Reigning Abbess Eléonore III de Bourbon of the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud (France)

The French Princess had great influence with her nephew, King Henri IV of France, and her affection for him was so great that, towards the end of her life, when he was assassinated, her nuns dared not tell her lest the shock should be too great. She was daughter of Duc Charles IV de Vendôme and Françoise d’Alencon, Duchesss de Beaumont. Her brother, Duc Antoine de Vendôme, was married to Juanna III of Navarra and therefore Titular King of Navarre (1555-62) – they were parents of Henri IV – and 3 of her sisters were also Abbesses, Madeleine (1521-61) in Poitiers, Catherine in Notre Dame de Soissons and Renée (1527-83) in Chelles. Eleonore lived (1532-1611).

 

1575-76 Acting County Sheriff Karen Christoffersdatter Gyldenstierne of the County of Bygholm with the Shires of Bjerg, Hatting, Nim and Vor and the County of Sankt Hans Kloster, Denmark

Also known as Karen Gyldenstjerne til Stjernholm. After the death of her husband, Holger Ottesen Rosenkrantz til Boller, she administered his fief for a

period. He was Stadholder in Norway, military commander of the realm. Statholder in Nothern Jutland and a few years later he became Marshal of the Realm. They were closely connected to King Frederik 2., who was the sponsor of one of their sons. She was an able administrator, built several manor houses and a new church in Uth. She also collected a number of folk songs, which is one of the most important sources for knowledge of this tradition. Around 1590 she moved to Skt. Hans Kloster in Horsens, which she renamed, into Stjernholm. She had bought a number of houses in the town of Horsens, which caused much dispute with the city council, because she claimed that as a noble she did not have to pay tax and thereby she damaged the economic life of the city. It was not until 1598 that the case was settled. She was accused using sorcery to harm Anne Hardenberg at the neighbouring estate, but no case was raised and the king settled the dispute. 1599 her son, Frederik, was convicted to lose his “honour” because of his relationship to Rigborg Brockenhuus. He was allowed to travel to Hungary to fight the Turks, but died in Prague in 1602. She was the oldest child of Christoffer Gyldenstierne (d. 1562) and 39-year old Anne Parsberg (1515-87), who had 9 other children after her. The mother of 4 sons of whom 2 died as infants, she lived (1544-1613).

 

1576-1610 Queen Amina Sarauniya of Zazzua, Zaria and Abuja
1580-82 Queen of Kano (Nigeria)

At the age of sixteen, she became the heir apparent (Magajiya) to her mother, Bakwa of Turunku, the ruling Queen of Zazzua, one of a number of Hausa city-states, which dominated the trans-Saharan trade after the collapse of the Songhai empire to the west. With the title came the responsibility for a ward in the city and daily councils with other officials. Although her mother’s reign was known for peace and prosperity, She also chose to learn military skills from the warriors. Her mother died around 1566 and the reign of Zazzua passed to her younger brother Karama. At this time she emerged as the leading warrior of Zazzua cavalry. Her military achievements brought her great wealth and power. When she died after a 10-year rule, she became Queen of Zazzua. She set off on her first military expedition three months after coming to power and continued fighting until her death. In her thirty-four year reign, she expanded the domain of her state to its largest size ever. Lived (circa 1533-ca- 1610).

 

1576… Adelantada Juana Ortiz de Zárate of Corrientes, Santa Fe and Buenos Aires, Adelantado of Chile (Chile)

Following the death of her father, Juan Ortiz de Zárate, Adelanto and Governor, founder of the City of Santa Fe and Buenos Aires, she inherited the estates of the family and apparently Emperor Charles V named her Adelantado of Chile. She was married to Juan de Torres de Vera y Aragón, who became Governor in 1578, and mother of Juan Alonso de Vera y Zárate. The seems that her mother was the Inca Princess, Leonor Yupanqui, daughter of Tupac-Hupalla (Originally Auqui Huallpa Tupac) puppet-emperor in 1533.

1576-78 Sovereign Duchess Elizabeth d’Austrice of Berry (France)

Given the duchy after the death of her husband, King Charles IX (1550-60-74), the son of Henri II and Catherine de’ Medici. Their only child was Princess Marie-Elisabeth who lived (1572-78) – and her husband therefore was succeeded by his brother Henri III. Elizabeth lived (1554-78).

 

1576-1602 Princess-Abbess Florentina von Putterer of Göss bei Leoben (Austria)

The chapter of canonisses (Kanonissen or Chorfrauenstift) was founded around 1000 by Countess Palatine Adala of Bavaria. The abbot or provost administered the estates of the clerical ladies, arranged the statues and appointed the prioress. In 1020 her grandchild, Aribo III handed it over to the protection of Emperor Heinrich II, who granted it immunity and raised it to the status of an Chapter of the Realm – or Imperial Immediacy (reichsunmittelbaren Abtei) – the only one in Austria – and removed the Chapter from the influence of the Metropolits of Salzburg.

 

1576-51 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Duchess Anna Sophie von Brandenburg of the Cities and Administrative Offices of Crivitz and Lübz in Mecklenburg-Schwerin (Germany)

Alternatively resided at Eldenburg after the death of her husband, Johann-Albrecht I of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. The daughter of Elector Albrecht von Brandenburg, she was mother of 3 sons, and lived (1527-91).

 

1576-91 County Sheriff Anne Mandrupsdatter Holck of the County of Hørby, Denmark

Anne Holck til Stadsgård was widow of Verner Tønnesen Parsberg til Harrested og Sandbygård, Lensmand of Sölvesborg (d. 1567). She (d. 1591).

 

1577-79 De-facto joint ruler Queen Mahid-I Uliyah of Persia (Iran)

Also known as Mahd-e Olya, she initially dominated her husband, Mohammad Shah, who succeeded his brother, Shah Esma’il II, a pro-Sunni ruler who was poisoned with the participation of their sister Pari Khan Khanom after only one year at the throne. Mohammad proved to be a weak leader, but after her assassination in 1579 the Qezelbash took control. Meanwhile Ottomans took advantage of Iran’s political turmoil to launch a major invasion of the country.

Consequently extensive territories were lost to Ottomans, including most of Azerbaijan, with Tabriz, and Georgia. The Safavid Dynasty was of Turkmen origin and established themselves first at Tabriz, which had been the capital of the Mongol Il Khans, in Turkish speaking Azerbaijanistan. They also brought the Shi’ite branch of Islam to Persia.

 

1577-78 Reigning Sri Rani Makayiram Thirunal of Travancore (India)

The Kulusekhara Dynasty of Travancore (or Tiruvankur) is of very ancient lineage, tracing its origins to the Royal House of Vanad and dating from 1100 AD. They attained considerable power during the reign of Ravi Varma Kulasekhara, during the early years of the fourteenth century. Marco Polo claimed to have visited his capital at Quilon, a centre of commerce and trade with China and the Levant. Europeans were attracted to the region during the late fifteenth century, primarily in pursuit of the then rare commodity, pepper.

 

1577-84 Head of the Regency Government Dowager Margravine Anna von der Pfalz-Veldenz of Baden-Durlach (Germany)

After the death of her husband, Karl II (1553-77), she was regent for her sons together with Elector Ludwig VI. von der Pfalz and Duke Ludwig von Württemberg. The 2 oldest sons were Markgraf Ernst Friedrich von Baden-Durlach and, Markgraf Jakob von Baden-Hachberg. The third son, Georg Friedrich inherited the whole territory in 1604. She was daughter of Pfalzgraf Ruprecht von Veldenz and Ursula, Wild- und Rheingräfin von Daun-Kyrburg und Salm and mother of 8 children, and lived (1540-77)

 

1577-82 Superintendent Maria Marguerite de Mérode of Bergen op Zoom (The Netherlands)

Given the Marchionate as a fief by the States of Brabant, but did not recieve the title of Marchioness. The king of Spain had

administered it after the death of her uncle, Jan IV van Glymes, who died childless in 1567. She was Joint administrator with her husband, Jan baron van Wittem from 1578. Both were deposed by the Dutch after they sided with the Spanish, and the possession was given to the Prince of Oranje and not until 1588 is the eldest of their three daughters, Maria, given the Marchionate as a fief. She lived (1560-88).

 

1577-1631 Reigning Lady Sophia Hedwig von Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel of the Administrative Office of Darsim in Pommern-Wolgast
1592-1631 Dowager Reigning Lady of the Administrative Unit, the City and Castle of Loitz, the Estate of Ludwigsburg bei Greifswald and the Estate of Zerpenzyn (Sophienhof) in Pommern-Wolgast (At the time German now Poland)

Her husband, Duke Ernst Ludwig of Pommern-Wolgast (1545-69-92), handed over the village to her as her dowry, and after his death, she took over her dowry that had been expanded by a number of estate through her 15 year long marriage and lived there with her 2 daughters and a son. During the years 1597 to 1601 she followed her son, Duke Philipp Julius von Pommern-Wolgast (1584–1625) to Wolgast to support the education in government affairs conducted by the guardian Duke Bogislaw XIII until 1603. She was daughter of Julius von Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel and Hedwig von Brandenburg, and her younger sisters, Elisabeth and Dorothea Augusta were Contra-Abbess of Gandersheim from 1578 and Princess-Abbess from 1611 respectively. She lived (1561–1631).

 

1577 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Queen Karin Månsdotter of Sweden of Liuksiala Kungsgård in Finland

Initially the mistress of King Eric XIV and later married to him to the “left hand” in a morganatic marriage in 1567; and then in 1568

, when she was ennobled and crowned Queen under the name Katarina Magnusdotter. He was deposed on grounds of insanity in 1569, a few years later she was placed under house arrest in Åbo in Finland, her son, Gustav, was removed from her but she was allowed to have her daughter Sigrid with her. Her brother-in-law, Johan III, granted her the Royal Estate of Liuksiala which she administered justly and wise. She lived (1550-1612).

 

1577-79 Princess-Abbess Josina I von Manderscheid-Blankenheim und Gerolstein of Thorn (The Netherlands)

At the elections for the successor of Margaretha von Brederode, Josina von der Marck got the most votes, but since she was not yet 30, Josina von Manderscheid, took over the position of ruler of the territory. After a few years she fell seriously ill and nominated Josina v.d. Marck as her successor. She was daughter of Gerhard and Franziska von Montfort. Her sister Helena was a lady of the chapter until she left it in order to marry Count Reinhard von Brederode. Josina lived (1537-79).

 

1577-81 Princess-Abbess Sibylle von Anhalt of Gernrode and Frose (Germany)
1601-14 Reigning Dowager Lady of Leonberg

Even though she was still a minor, her father, Joachim Ernst von Anhalt, forced through her election as successor of her sister, Anne Marie, as titular

sovereign of the territory. It was confirmed by Emperor Rudolf II the same year. She only issued one decree in which she gave some land to the widow of Stefan Molitor, the first evangelican Superintendent of the chapter. When she resigned to marry Duke Freiderich von Württemberg (1557-1616), she was succeeded by another sister, Agnes Hedwig. She was mother of 14 children, and lived (1564-1614).

 

1577-89 Princess-Abbess Margarethe II von Chlum of Gandersheim (Germany)

Elected as successor of her sister, Magdalene, but after the Duke of Braunchweig occupied the territory and installed his daughter, Elisabeth zu Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel, as de-facto as ruler, she had to flee to Neuenheerse and was only able to return after the second contra-abbess Margarete von Warberg died in 1587.

 

1578-82 “Titular” Contra Abbess Elisabeth zu Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel of Gandersheim (Germany)

After Margareta von Chlum was elected as Princess-Abbess, her father, Duke Julius, occupied and claimed that she was the real ruler, and Margareta had to flee. Margarete von Warberg was in power until 1587, and only then Margareta II was able to return. Her older sister, Sophia-Hedwig, reigned her dowries in Pommern from 1677 and their younger sister, Dorothea Auguste was Princess-Abbess of Gandersheim from 1611. In 1583 she married Count Adolf XIII. von Holstein-Schauenburg (1547–1601) and had one son, Julius von Holstein-Schauenburg (1585–1601). In 1604 she married Duke Christoph von Braunschweig-Harburg (1570–1606). She lived (1677-1618).

 

1578-1600 Sovereign Lady Anna Walburga von Neuenahr-Bedburg of Moers, Bedburg, Garsforf and Rosberg (Germany)

Also known as Waldburga von Neuenhar, Countess von Hoorn, or Regierende Gräfin Walburgis von Neuenahr-Moers, she succeeded

her brother, Hermann Graf von Neuenahr-Moers. Moers was occupied to by the Archbishopcy of Köln 1584-88 and by Maurits van Oranje 1588-94. Bedburg and Garsdorf was claimed by Adolf Bentheim-Steinfurt and Roesberg was held by the Ketler family 1578-circa 1595 until she sold the lordship to this family. She was first married to Philipp von Montmorency-Nivelle, Count von Hoorn, who was decapitated in 1567, and in 1570 to her nephew Adolf von Neuenahr, Lord of Neuenhar, Moers, Limburg, Bedburg, Alpen, Alterna, Weerth, Hackenboiche, Lennep and Helfenstein (circa 1545-1589). In 1594 named Maurits van Oranje as her heir. She lived (1522-1600)

 

1578-88 Princess-Abbess Elisabeth VII von Sayn of Essen (Germany)

During her reign “only” 14 witch-processes were conducted, only a fraction of the processes in the neighbouring countries. She was daughter of Count Adolf of Sayn and Maria von Mansfeld. Her brother’s daughter Anna Elisabeth (1572-1608), inherited the county from her uncle in 1606. Anna Elisabeth was married to Count Wilhelm zu Sayn and Wittgenstein (d. 1623).

 

1578-1614 Princess-Abbess Barbara von Breiten-Landenberg of Lindau (Germany)

Member of an old countly family.

 

Around 1578-circa 1606 Princess-Abbess Marie-Madeleine de Rebstock of the Royal Abbey of Andlau, Lady of Wagenbourg and Marlenheim etc. (France)

Conferred the fief of Wangenbourg at at her brother, Jean-Gabriel Rebstock, in 1606.

 

1578-1600 Reigning Abbess Antoniette II de Wissocoq of Bourbourg, Lady of Oxelaere, Noordpeene, Faumont and Coutiches (France)

Daughter of the Lord of Bomy.

 

1578-1611 Olangio to hoelialio Wulutileni Raja To Huliyalio of the Downlying Parts of Gorontalo (Indonesia)

The principality in North Sulawesi was divided between to branches of the same dynasty, which reigned a part each. She belonged to the Raja To Huliyalio-Branch and her title means ruler of the downlying parts. She succeeded her father, Tuliabu, and was followed on the throne by daughter, Mboheleo.

 

1578-79 Acting County Sheriff Margrethe Eriksdatter Lange of the County of Ålborghus with the Shires of Års, Flæskum, Gislum, Hindsted, Hornum, Horns, Hvetbo and Kære and the County of Viskumgård
1615-16 Acting County Sheriff of the County of Bygholm Len with the Shires of Bjerge, Hatting and Nim, Denmark

After the death of her first husband, Jens Nielsen Kaas, Margrethe Lange was acting Lensmand (County Sheriff) until a successor was appointed. Afterwards married to Knud Brahe (1555-1615) and after his death she was in charge of Bygholm etc. As most fief administrators she belonged to the ancient non-titled nobility. (d. 1622).

 

1578 Acting County Sheriff Birgitte Timmesdatter Rosenkrantz of the County of Nebbegård, Denmark
1580 Acting County Sheriff of Rosenkrantz of the County of Kalundborg with the Shires of Arts Løve, Ods, Skippinge and Samsø

Birgitte Rosenkrantz was widow of Bjørn Kaas who was Lensmand in Helsingborg and Malmöhus. She later had a relationship to her

late husband’s cousin, Gjord Kaas. Because it was considered to be incest at the time, she was executed on the command of King Christian 4. Gjord went into exile, and when he returned after 17 years he too was executed. According to the legend she is today the “White Lady”; a ghost at Stårup Castle. (d. 1603).

 

1578 County Sheriff Bege Clausdatter Emmiksen of the County of Hundsbæk, Denmark

Bege Emmiksen til Damgård was widow of Peder Galskyt (d. circa 1554). She (d. circa 1613).

 

1578 County Sheriff Magdalene Clausdatter Sehested of the County of Æbelø, Denmark

Magdalene Sehested til Spandetgård was widow of Mourids Podebusk and lived most of her life in Ribe, where she died after having been blind for some years. She was daughter of Claus Sested or Sehested, and lived (1538-1611).

 

1578 County Sheriff Kirsten Pedersdatter Galt of the County of Børglum Kloster, Denmark

Kirsten Galt til Tyrrestrup was widow of Erik Kaas til Voergård og Lindbjergård, Lensmand of Børglum Kloster 1574. He had first been married to Berte Seefeld. She lived (1536-1616).

 

1578-90 Feudal Princess Zenobia del Carretto of Melfi (Italy)

Succeeded her father, Marcantonio Doria del Carretto, as Princess of the Holy Roman Empire and married Gian Andrea Doria, Duke di Tursi and Marchese di Torriglia etc. (1540-1606). The family retained certain sovereign rights until the War of the Spanish Succession, and the title became dormant to a degree. It was revived though, under less autonomous conditions, in 1760. She lived (1541-90).

 

1578-1603 Politically Active Margravine Sophia von Braunschweig-Lüneburg of Brandenburg-Ansbach (Germany)
1603-39 Reigning Dowager Lady in Nürnberg

Following the death of his first wife, Elisabeth von Brandenburg-Küstrin, she took over her role, as the most important aide of her

husband, Georg Friedrich (1539-1603), who had no children in any of his marriages. Sophia lived (1563-1639).

 

1580 Candidate for the throne Infanta Catarina de Guimarães of Portugal

After the death of King Sebastião de Aviz-Beja she was one of the contenders for the throne, but he was succeeded by his great-uncle, the Cardinal-King Henrique, who died tow years later, and again she was one of the contenders and had a strong position, even though her older sister had several children, but in the end the throne was taken over by King Felipe II of Spain. In 1640, when her grandson João II, Duque de Bragança, became king as João IV, she was proclamed as the rightful heir. She was daughter of Infant Duarte de Aviz-Beja, Duque de Guimarães, son of King Manuel I, and Infanta Isabel de Bragança, married to João I de Bragança, Duke of Bragança and mother of 8 children. She lived (1540-1614).

 

1579-86 Regent Dowager Duchess Katharina Sidonia von Sachsen-Lauenburg of Teschen-Freistadt (Poland)

Also known as Katarzyna Sydonia Cieszyn, she reigned the the Slesian Duchy in the name of her son Adam Wacław after the death of

her husband, Duke Wenzel III Andam. In 1586 she married Emmerich III Forgach, Obergespan of Trentschin. The daughter of Duke Franz I and Sibylle von Sachsen-Freiberg, she was mother of 6 of her husband’s 9 children. Her son’s daughter, Elisabeth Lukretia, succeeded her brother Friederich Wilhelm (1601-17-25) as ruler of Teschen in 1625. Katherina Sidonia (d. 1594).

 

1579-1623 Sovereign Duchess Marie de Luxembourg of Penthièvre and d’Étampes and Vicomtesse de Martigues (France)

Succeeded her father, Sébastien de Luxembourg. She was married to Philippe-Emmanuel de Lorraine, Duc de Bretagne (1576–1602), who was Duke of ‘Étampes et de Penthièvre by the right of his wife. At the death of King Henri III, he claimed his inheritance, and they established an independent government at Nantes as head of the Bretonic League. When Philippe-Emmanuel made peace with King Henry IV, their daughter, Françoise de Lorraine-Mercœur (1592-1669) was married to his legitimised son César de Bourbon, Duc de Vendôme. Françoise was the richest heiress in the kingdom, and inherited the titles in 1602 upon her father’s death, but Marie also held them until her own death. She lived (1562-1623).

1579-1604 Princess-Abbess Josina II von der Marck of Thorn, Lady of Thorn, Ittervoort, Grathem, Baexem, Stramproy, Ell, Haler and Molenbeerse (The Netherlands)

Had been elected Abbess already in 1577, but since she was not yet 30, she had to step aside for Josina von Manderscheid. In 1586 she obtained a seat and voting right in the Westphalian Circle of the Diet of the Realm and the following year she participated in the Assembly in person. But she was the “black sheep” among the Princess-abbesses, and was, among other things, accused of printing false money. She was daughter of Johann II von der Marck and Margareta van Wassenaer, and was succeeded by her sister, Anna, and lived (1546-1604).

 

1579-94 Princess-Abbess Magdalena von Gleissenthal of Obermünster in Regensburg (Germany)

1219 the reichsunmittelbare Chapter came under direct Papal protection and in 1315 Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian appointed the Abbess as Princess of the Realm. Heinrich II granted the Chapter immunity and during Konrad II, the abbess even received a royal sceptre. 1484 the Abbey was turned into a Chapter for Noble Ladies, with a vote in the College of the Prelates of the Rhine, whose 17 members (Princess-Abbesses and Prince-Abbots), which had a joint vote in the Council of the Princes of the Imperial Diet, where the representative of the Prelates sat on the Ecclesiastical Bench. (Geistliche Bank der Reichsfürstenrat). The Fürstäbtissin also sat on the Bavarian Landtag and from 1495/1500 member of the Geistlischen Fürstenbank (Lords Spiritual) of the Bayrischer Kreis (Bavarian Circle) and in 1521 mentioned as Reichsprälatin (Imperial Prelate) in an inventory of the Reichsstände – the territories of the Realm.

 

1579-80 Acting County Sheriff Dorthe Mogensdatter Gyldenstierne of Åkær with Hadsherred, Denmark

Dorthe Gyldenstierne was in charge after the death of her husband, Christian Munk, former Stadholder of Norway et cetera. She lived (1547-1583).

 

1579-82 County Sheriff Margrethe Rantzau of the County of Gudum Kloster, Denmark

Widow of Otto Emmiksen. Detailed information missing.

 

1579-97 Politically Influential Empress Maryam Sena of Ethiopia

During reign of her husband, Sarsa Dengel (1563-97). The country had been plagued by anarchy and civil war for generations, and it continued during her husband’s period as Emperor.

 

1580-90 Regent Dowager Sultana Cand Bibi of Bijapur
1596-99 Regent of Ahmadnagar (India)

After her husband, ‘Ali ‘Adil Shah II, was killed in 1580, she ruled with great prudence and intelligence till her nephew, Ibrahim ‘Adil Shah II, came of age. When order was restored in the Bijapur kingdom she went back to her motherland Ahmadnagar, where the ruler, Murtada Shah, died at a moment when the foreign relations of the state were strained to breaking point and war was imminent. She returned to Bijapur and mustered some reliable troops for the defence of Ahmadnagar fort against the army of the Mughals. After this great defence, she was known as Chand Sultana. Later the Mughals succeeded to turn her troops and had a siege over Ahmadnagar in 1599. She resisted the Mughal attacks with such courage that the invaders were repelled at many places. At length, Hamid Khan, the traitor allowed the Mughal force to enter Ahmadnagar, and entered the palace to kill her. She fought bravely but was killed, and thus, the Mughals captured Ahmadnagar in 1600. She was daughter of Hussain Nizam shah of Ahamadnagar, and lived (1550-99).

 

1580-1611 Sovereign Marquise Henriette de Savoie of Villars, Countess of Tende and Sommerive (France)

Daughter of Honoré II and Jeanne-Françoise de Foix and married to Charles de Lorraine. Her daughter, Catherine de Lorraine (1585-16189) and son-in-

law, Carlo I Gonzaga, Duke of Mantova, Monferrato, Nevers and Rethel were Duchess and Duke of Mayenne. Henriette lived (1541-1611).

 

1580 Acting County Sheriff Anne Iversdatter Krabbe of the County of Åkær with the Shire of Had, Denmark

Anne Krabbe was widow of Axel Viffert, who had taken over the teantncy in 1579. She married Erik Kass til Voergaard in 1595 and became a widow again 3 years later. Her sister, Karen, was Acting County Sheriff in 1594. Anne was mother of 2 daughters by her first husband and 1 by the second, and (d. 1625).

 

1580-92 County Sheriff Else Hansdatter Mule of the County of Nordby, Denmark

Else Mule was widow of Iver Bertelsen, Magister in Sorø, Headmaster of Ringsted Kloster (1548-83) and Niels Pedersen Krag, Professor of History, Royal Histographer, Rector of Copenhagen University and Headmaster of Sorø Academy (d. 1602), who was send on various diplomatic missions and was ennobled by King James of Scotland. Her family had held the position of mayor of Odense for generations. She lived (1556-1605).

 

1580-.. County Sheriff Gese Brockenhuus of the County of Rynkeby with the Shire of Gudme, Denmark

Exchanged the tenantcy with other estates. Widow of Erik Bille. Detailed information missing.

 

1580 Acting County Sheriff Kirsten Clausdatter Ulfeldt of the County of Skodborg, Denmark

Kirsten Ulfeldt had the tenantcy exchanged to her on behalf of her children. First married to Poul Abildgaard (d. 1563) as his third wife and secondly to Svend Mogensen Orning til Eget, who had first been married to Maren Clausdatter Strangesen Bild (circa 1502-73), who was County Sheriff (Lensmand) of Koldinghus. She (d. 1589).

 

1580-1601 Overseer of the Crown Lands Anna Kłoczewska of Małogoszcz, Poland

She was also known as Kłoczowska.

 

1580-1602 Princess-Abbess Barbe de Salm of Remiremont, Dame of St. Pierre and Metz etc. (France)

Also known as Maria Barbara von Salm. The Duke of Lorraine forced her predecessor to accept her as Coadjutrice in 1579, but the other canonesses refused to accept her automatic successio and instead elected Huberte de Chastenay and appealed to the pope, but he ruled in favour of Barbe, who appointed her rival as Coadjutrice and managed to build up a good relationship with the ladies of the chapter. 1588 the territory was again hit by the plague. (d. 1602)

 

1581-1604 Sovereign Duchess Claude Catherine de Clermont of Retz, Dame de Dampierre and Baronne de Retz (France)

Originally she was created Duchess-regnant together with her husband. She lived (circa 1543-1604).

 

1581-1610 Captain-Donatary Margarida Côrte-Real of the Captainship of Angra including the Island of Terceira, Praia and São Jorge in the Azores (Portugal)

Held the office of Capitana do donatário, which was similar to that of governor, jointly with her husband, Cristovão de Moura, 1st marquês de Castelo Rodrigo (1538-1613), Vice-King of Portugal on several occations. She succeeded her father, Vasco Anes Corte-Real (1530-77-81), was mother of 3 children, and lived (1570-1610).

 

1581-… Regent Dowager Lady Elisabeth von Pallandt-Culemborg of Holstein-Schaumburg-Gemen (Germany)

Widow of Jobst II von Schaumburg-Gemen, who had participated in the freedom-fights of the Dutch against the Spanish and as a result, the lordship had been raided by the Duke of Alba in 1568. Born as Gräfin von Palandt.

 

1581-1625 Joint Reigning Princess Anna Ostrogska of Jarosław (Then Ukraine, now Poland)

The daughter of Zofia ze Sprowy, who ruled (1545-80) and her first husband, she was married to Alexander Ostrogski at the age of 19 and they settled in Jaroslaw and in 1606 she bought the half of the town owned by her sister, Katarzyna Sieniawska the second half of the city. She died after a lengthy illness after having lived (1575-1635/36).

 

1581-1606 Joint Reigning Princess Katarzyna Sieniawska of Jarosław (Ukraine)

Together with her sister, she ruled the town and domain which was established by an Ukrainian prince in the 11th century. In the Great Northern War of 1700-21 the region was repeatedly pillaged by Russian, Saxon and Swedish armies, causing the city to decline further and it was under Austrian rule from the First Partition of Poland in 1772 until Poland regained independence in 1918. (d. 1606).

 

1581-86 Princess-Abbess Agnes Hedwig von Anhalt of Gernrode and Frose (Germany)

The third of four of daughters of prince Joachim Ernst von Anhalt to be titular head of the territory. She was follower of Melanchthons (Philippstine), which was in opposition to the ruling Lutheran Orthodoxy in Dresden. At the age of 14 she married Kurfürst August von Sachsen-Dessau, who died of a stroke after less than a month. And then, after 5 years as ruler of Gernrode, she married as his second wife, Duke Johann von Holstein-Sønderborg in 1588. He was the brother of August’s first wife, Anna of Denmark. Agnes-Hedwig gave birth to 7 children of which 2 daughters survived, and lived (1573-1616).

 

1581 County Sheriff Karen Ottesdatter Gyldenstierne of the County of Sølvitsborg with the Shires of Medelsta, Vester or Bregne and Lister in Blekinge
1586-89 County Sheriff of Snersted in Skåne (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Karen Gyldenstierne was also known as Karen Ottes to separate her from her many contemporary cousins with the same name. Her husband,

Jørgen Marsvin (1527-81), was Lensmand at Landskrona and member of the Danish Council of State until his death. Her cousin, Karen Gyldenstierne, was Acting County Sheriff of Bygholm 1575-76. Karen Ottes lived (1542-89).

 

1581 Acting County Sheriff Christence Nielsdatter Rotfeld of the County of Bygholm with the Shires of Bjerge, Hatting and Nim, Denmark

Christence Rotfeld was widow of Bjørn Kaas, who had taken office the previous year. Mother of 7 children, and lived (circa 1535-1601).

1582-1615 Sovereign Duchess Marguerite of Valois, Senlis, Clermont et d’Etampes (France)
1608-15 Countess of Auvergne et d’Eu

Succeeded mother, Catherine de Medici, in Valois. In 1572 she was forced to marry the Protestant Henri of Navarra (later Henri IV) to

seal Catholic-Protestant reconciliation. She was involved in a number of extramarital love affairs at the courts of both her brother Henri III at Paris and her husband at Nerac. Expelled from the royal court for her political intrigues, she returned to the unwilling Navarre in 1584. After taking up arms against her husband, she was banished to the castle of Usson in Auvergne, where she soon took control. In 1599, ten years after her husband’s accession to the throne, she consented to the annulment of her marriage. She was a very important cultural personality; her charm and literary talent were admired by the leading writers of the age and was also known as Reine Magot. She lived (1553-1615).

 

1582-1619 Sovereign Duchess Diane de Valois of Châtellerault, d’Angoulême et d’Etampes (France)
1593-96 Governor of Limousin
1605-19 Governor of the Bourbonnais

Daughter of Diane de Portiers and King Henri II of France, and was legitimized as Princess of France in 1548. She first married Orazio Farnese, Duke of Castro and secondly with François Villers-Cotterets, Duke de Montmorency. She lived (1538-1619).

 

1582-87 Reigning Abbess-General Leonor de Castilla of the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos (Spain)

The last Perpetual Abbess – that is elected for life. Her successors were elected for three-year periods. Possibly the 10th child of Alonso

de Castilla, Lord del Mayorazgo de Valladolid, of an illegitimate sideline of the royal house of Castilla, and Ines de Acuna.

 

1582-87 De-facto Ruler Contra Abbess Margarete von Warberg of Gandersheim (Germany)
Followed Elisabeth zu Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel as the contra-abbess and real ruler after the official office-holder, Margareta II, had to flee in 1578.

1582-1611 County Sheriff Karen Eriksdatter Banner of the County of Orlofgård, Denmark
1611 Acting County Sheriff of the County of Jungshoved
1612 Acting County Sheriff of the County of Vordingborg with the Shires of Bårse, Hammer and Tybjerg

Karen Banner held the fief of Orlofgård after the death of her first husband Gregers Ulfstand and the fief of Jungshoved after the second, Henrik Lykke til Overgaard og Hverringe. She inherited the estate of Gisselfeld and Ryegård in 1588 after the death of Mette Rosenkrantz til Vallø, who had inherited it from her husband, Peder Oxe, who was her uncle, in 1575. (d. 1611).

 

1582-96 Abbess with the authority of a County Sheriff Sophia Gyldenstjerne of the Chapter and Town of Maribo and surroundings (Denmark)

Elected by the Assembly of Canonesses and instated by the two Councillors of the Realm, Chancellor Ejler Grubbe and Steen Brahe. In the beginning she was an able administrator but soon the old disputes among the canonesses entrupted again and she was removed from office by King Christian 4. She was in charge of the estats of the chapter and mangade the Town of Maribo jointly with the Confessor.

 

1582 Hereditary Landgravine Maximiliane von Pappenheim of Stühlingen, Lady of Hohenhöwen (Germany)

Inherited the territory after the death of her brother, Hereditary Marshal Maximilian von Pappenheim, and was married to Count Friedrich Rudolf von Fürstenberg.

 

1583-… Joint Sovereign Lady Susanne von Wildenstein of Breitenegg (Germany)

The daughter of Alexander III von Wildenstein, she inherited 1/4 of the lordship. Married to Georgs von Rindersbach.

 

1583-… Joint Sovereign Lady Agnes von Wildenstein of Breitenegg (Germany)

Younger daughter of Alexander III von Wildenstein, she inherited 1/4 of the lordship from her brother, Friedrich Karl I von Wildenstein. Married to a Lord von Haslang.

 

1583-1609 Reigning Dowager Lady Anna Elisabeth von Pfalz-Simmern of the County and Castel of Philippsburg in Hessen-Rheinfels (Germany)

Her husband Philipp II of Hessen-Rheinfels (1541-67-83) had apparently received the county of Philippsburg from his father, Philipp of Hessen-Kassel (d.1567). They did not have any children, and she lived (1549-1609).

 

1583-1611 Princess-Abbess Katherina II Brümsi von Herblingen of Schänis (Switzerland)

During her term in office the chapter burned down twice, in 1585 and 1610, and she sold some of the possessions in South Germany in order to extend the buildings of the Abbey and church. She reformed the Chapter and exerted her position as ruler of the territories. She was daughter of Eberhard von Brümsi, Lord of Altenklingen and Rosa von Breitenlandenberg.

 

1583-98 Princess-Abbess Ursula II Steinhauer of Baindt (Germany)

Probably member of the noble family of Steinhauer zu Bulgarn.

 

Around 1583 Abbess Nullius Vittoria Palagano of the Royal Convent of Saint Benedetto in Conversano, Temporal and Secular Ruler of Conversano (Italy)

Both secular and temporal ruler of the territory.

 

1583-98 Joint County Sheriff Magdalene Andersdatter Emmiksen of the County of Vissenbjerg Birk (or Grøftebjerg), Denmark

Magdalene Emmiksen was the owner of Millinge and Hejsager, she held the tenantcy jointly with her sister, Margrethe. After her death it was taken over by her husband, Erik Bille til Kjærsgård. Apparently her first husband had been Albert Maltesen Viffert with whom she had a son, Anders. She (d. 1598).

 

1583-85 Joint County Sheriff Margrethe Andersdatter Emmiksen of the County of Vissenbjerg Birk (or Grøftebjerg), Denmark

Margrethe Emmiksen was unmarried and held the fief jointly with her sister. (d. 1585).

 

1583 Acting County Sheriff Lisbeth Christoffersdatter Galde of the County of Vinstrupgård, Denmark

Lisbeth Galde was in charge of the tenantcy after the death of her first husband, Eggert Ulfeldt. She later married Jørgen Friis, as his

third wife. He was County Sheriff of Vinderslevgård and Lysgård Herred, Skivehus, Hald, Akershus and Sejlstrup, also Judge, Councillor of the Realm and Stadholder of Norway. They were burried on the same day. (d. 1616).

 

1583-1602 County Sheriff Beate Ågesdatter Brahe of the Counties of Gislumsherred and Ramsø, Denmark

Beate Brahe heldt the fief for life as security for a lone. She was widow of Jørgen Pedersen Lykke (Munk) til Hverringe og Overgård, Bonderup, Hessel, Ovegård and Bregenholm, and lived (after 1523-1602).

 

1583-84 Acting County Sheriff Karen Henriksdatter Friis of the County of Ålborghus, Denmark

Karen Friis was acting Lensmand or (County Sheriff) after the death of her husband, Bjørn Andersen Bjørn til Stenalt, Bjørnsholm,

Voer, Gunderupgård og Strandbygård. 1562-66 Judge in Zealand, Councillor of State 1567, Lensmand of Fredsgård, Stege, Københavns Slot, Roskildegård, Tryggevælde, Århusgård og Ålborghus. They had 3 children and he had 6 children with his first wife, Sidsel Ulfstand. Karen Friis lived (1541-1601).

According to the Portuguese chronicler Mendez Pinto, the mercantile elite decided in 1584 to give the throne to the sister of the murdered king after twenty years of unstable rule. She ruled as Raja Ijau the ‘great queen’ and was also known as Ratu Hijau “The Green Queen”. She was on the throne when the first Dutch and English Company agents visited Patani, and one of these, Jacob van Neck, writing in 1604, reported a relatively prosperous state under her rule and she was well disposed to merchants, and was one of the major traders and financiers of the city. Her Malay monarchy absorbed a diversity of foreign traders into a polyglot elite united by the royal person, a Malay lingua franca, and a pattern of rules and sacred regalia passed down from courts such as Malacca and Pasai. The Chinese were the major merchants, but the most important of them, like the leading commercial official Datu Sirinara, had adopted Islam and the Malay manners of the court. Her aunt, Raja A’isyah had sometime been regent for Sultan Bahdur after Sultan Manzur Syah who ruled (1564-73). She was succeeded by sister and (d. 1616).

 

1584-1616 Administrator Countess Maria von Oranje-Nassau of Buren, Leerdam and some of the Nassau Properties (The Netherlands)

Daughter of Countess Anna van Egmond of Buren and Leerdam and Willem I, Count of Nassau and Prince of Oranje. In 1567 her brother, Philips Willem was adducted to Spain and the next 10 years she spent by her uncle, Johann VI, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg. The Prince of Orange had given control over Philips Willem’s properties to her, before he was assassinated in 1584. After her marriage to Count Philipp zu Hohenlohe-Neuenstein in 1595, a curator was appointed to care for the paternal inheritance which her younger half-brother, Mauritz had demanded control of. In the summer of 1595, Philips Willem, was allowed to leave Spain and return to Brussels, but was still kept under tight Spanish control. The following year they met secretly in Clèves; their first meeting in 28 years. She continued to administer her properties and founded an orphanage in Buren. She lived (1556-1616).

 

1584 Acting Lady Hilleborg Hansdatter of Gotland (Sweden)

Acting Lensherre – royal appointed lord of the fief – after the death of her husband, Emicke Kaas, until his successor arrived to the island.

 

1584-1601 Princess-Abbess Anna III von Stolberg-Weiningsrode of Quedlinburg (Germany)

Daughter of Heinrich the Older and Countess Elisabeth von Gleichen. Her brother, Wolfgang became Domherr of Halberstadt in 1512 at the age of 10

and 2 years later he as chosen as Koadjutor as the Dean of the Cathedral (Dompropst) and he succeeded to the eccleastical office at the age of 15 and received its incomes while it was executed by a Vicar. Later he also became Dean of Dardesheim and Königstein. She lived (1565-1601).

 

1584-1635 Princess-Abbess Magalena von und zu Eltz of Munsterbilzen, Dame of Wellen, Haccourt, Hallembaye and Kleine-Spouwen (Belgium)

When she was elected abbess in spite of the fact that she was only around 20 years old, the failed candidate, 35 year old Magdalena von Eynatten, sister of the predecessor Maria, protested and the case dragged on for years until the Vatican ruled in von Eltz’s favour and she was officially installed in 1591. 1610 she was first mentioned as Princess of the Realm in an official document, but the Prince-Bishop of Liège protested, and they engaged in a fierce powerstruggle. In 1616 she had her sister, Claudia, named as Coadjutrice, but she married the following year. The chapter was also marked by the ongoing wars and was hit by plague in 1622-23, 1629 and 1633-36. She was daughter of Godfried von Eltz-Uttingen and Regina van Elter, and lived (circa 1564-1635).

 

1584 Acting County Sheriff Hilleborg Hansdatter Lindenov of the County of Visborg with Gotland (At the time Denmark, now Sweden)

Hilleborg Lindenov was in charge of the tenantcy after the death of her husband, Emmike Kaas. She later married Hans Speil til Borreby og Julskov, and (d. 1602).

1585-97 Politically Influential Duchess Jakobäa von Baden of Jülich-Kleve-Berg-Mark (Germany)

Also known as Jakobea or Jakobe, she married Johann Wilhelm (1592-1609), and since her father-in-law, Wilhelm IV, was mentally

deficient and her husband mentally ill and both therefore were unable to rule, she took the reigns after her marriage in 1585, managing to get some councillors on her side. She stood between the catholic party around the powerful Marshal Wilhelm von Waldenburg, supported by the Spanish Low Countries and the protestant lead by the Counts von Broich and Valckenstein and Lords von Rheydt, who tried to remove the catholic regentess with the help of the Dutch General States. Because of the intrigues of her sister-in-law, Sybille, she thought about moving back to Bavaria, but the responsibly towards her husband made her stay in Düsseldorf. She became more and more powerful, but Sybille spread rumours about her unmoral way of life and in 1595 Von Waldenburg held her prisoner, she was accused and convicted of infidelity and kept in the castle for two years. With the help of her brother-in-law, Count Leuchtenberg, she wrote a document of defence and managed to have a trial arranged, but died before the trial was called. After her death, her husband married Antionia of Lorraine (d. 1610), but did not have any children. She lived (1558-97).

 

1585-86 Acting County Sheriff Kirsten Christiansdatter Lykke of the County of Vordingborg with the Sires of Tryggevælde and Faxe, Denmark

Kirsten Lykke was also known as Kirstine, and was in charge of the administration of the tenantcy after the death of her husband, Eiler Grubbe til Lystrup (1532-85), who was at one time Chancellor of the Realm. In 1594 she married Niles Gyldenstierne til Bjørnholm, and lived (1558-1630).

 

1585-1604 Acting County Sheriff Ingeborg Nielsdatter Skeel of the County of Sejlstrup
1586 County Sheriff of the County of Amtofte and Strekhals, Denmark

Ingeborg Skeel had bought Voergård in 1578 together with her mother, Karen Krabbe and they got the right of lower court in the

parishes of Voer, Albæk og Skæve, which meant that they appointed the judge and got the income from fines and the costs of the law cases. She was an able farmer and trader, and administered both her own and her husband’s estate. After the death of her husband, Otto Banner til Asdal, she took over the administration of the fief, and after her mother died the following year, she took over her two small royal fiefs; Amtofte in Thy and Strekhals in Mors (Northern Jutland). There are many stories about her as an evil mistress who killed the architect of one of her estates and a harsh employer towards the peasants, but the stories does not seem to be based on facts. She was daughter of Niels Skeel and Karen Banner, had no children, and lived (circa 1545-1604).

 

1585-16.. County Sheriff Margrethe Skovgaard of the County of Davinde, Denmark

Jomfru Margrethe was granted the tenantcy for life. Owned Sanderumgård together with Karen Skovgaard 1581-83. Details missing.

Sabine Katharina zu Rietberg

 

1586-1618 Sovereign Countess Sabine Katharina Cirksena von Ostfriesland of Rietberg (Germany)

4 years old when her mother, Walburga of Rietberg, died, and her father, Enno III Cirksena von Ostfriesland, acted as regent. She was

married to her uncle, Count Johann von Ostfriesland – who had converted to Catholism – with papal dispensation because they were too closely related. She also converted and introduced the catholic faith to her county. She died giving birth to her 11th child, and lived (1582-1618).

1586-1616 Hereditary Lady Agnes Cirksena von Ostfriesland und Rietberg of Dietrichstein-Wichelstädt, Esens Stedesdorf and Wittmund (Germany)

Sister of Countess Sabine Katharina of Rietberg, she inherited parts of the territories of her family. She was the first wife of Gundacker von Liechtenstein, Lord of Wilffersdorf and Riegelsdorf, Governor of Austria (1614-17) and 1st Prince of Liechtenstein (1623-58) and mother of two sons. His second wife was Sovereign Duchess Elisabeth Lukretia of Teschen (1599-1653). Agnes lived (1586-1616).

 

1586-1612 Princess Zofia Olelkowicz-Slucki of Sluck (Lithuania – Now Poland)

Only one year old when she inherited the possessions of her father, Jerzy Olelkowicz-Słucki with her mother, Barbara Kiszczanka (d.

before 1606) acting as her guardian. She married Janusz Prince Radziwill, castellan of Wilno (1579-1620) was also known as Zofia z Olelkowiczów Radziwiłłowa, and lived (1585-1612)

 

1586-1600 Regent Dowager Princess Barbara Kiszczanka of Sluck (Lithuania – Now Poland)

Reigned during her daughter’s minority after her husband, Jerzy Olelkowicz-Slucki’s death, the large estate in what was Lithuania at the time – it later became part of Russia, Belarus and since 1920 Poland. She was daughter of Mikolaj Kiszka, Voivode Podlaski and Barbara Chodkiewicz, and (d. before 1608).

 

1586-95 Reigning Dowager Duchess Barbara of Brandenburg of Brieg (Brzeg) (Poland)

Also known as Brandenburska, she was widow of Duke Georg von Brieg (Jerzy II of Brzeg) and held the Slesian Principality as her dowry

 

1586-93 Princess-Abbess Dorothea Maria von Anhalt of Gernrode and Frose
1605-15 Joint Guardian of Sachsen-Weimar (Germany)

The last of 4 sisters to occupy the post, she resigned in order to marry Duke Johann von Sachsen-Weimar (1570-1605). After his death, the Duchy and her 10 surviving sons came under the guardianship of the unpopular Electors of Sachsen-Albertine (Albertinischen Kurfürsten). She concentrated on the education of her 8 surviving sons who shared and expanded the inheritance: Duke Johann Ernst von Sachsen-Weimar (1594-1626), Friederich (1596-1622), Duke Wilhelm von Sachsen-Weimar, zu Remda, in Eisenach, Creuzburg, Gerstungen, Salzungen, Gotha, Heldburg, Eisfeld, Weimar, Jena, Burgau, Berka, Buttsadt, Lobeda, Eisenach, Ilmenau, Kaltennordheim, etc, (1598-1662), Duke Albrecht of Sachsen-Eisenach, (1599-1644), Duke Ernst I the Pious von Sachsen-Gotha, in Tenneberg, Waltershausen, Wachsenburg, Ichtershausen, Königsberg und Tonndorf, Heldburg, Eisfeld und Salzungen, Frauenbreitungen und Wasungen, Kranichfeld, Altenburg, Leuchtenburg, Orlamünde, Krainburg, Eisenberg, Stadtroda, Ronneburg, Saalfeld, Grafenthal, Probstzella, Coburg, Sonneberg, Haldburghausen, Themar, Untermassfeld, Meiningen, Behringen und Römhild (1601-75), Friedrich Wilhelm, (1603-19) and Bernhard (1604-39), who became Duke of Franken in 1633, and the posthumously born daughter, Johanna (1606-09). She was daughter of Prince Joachim Ernst von Anhalt and Eleonore von Württemberg, died after a fall from a horse, and lived (1574-1617).

 

1586-1604 Princess-Abbess Magdalena I zur Lippe of Herford (Germany)

Her sister, Margareta, had been sovereign of the territory 1563-78.

 

Until 1586 Reigning Abbess Louise de Bourbons-Vendôme of Faremoutiers (France)

Sister of Charlotte, who was first Abbess of Jouarre and later married Willem I van Oranje-Nassau, and succeeded by another sister, Jeanne de Jouarre. She lived (1548-86).

 

1586-97 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Queen Gunilla Bielke of the Town and Estate of Björneborg with various Parishes, the Estate and Parishes of Kumo, the Estate of Sari with certain Parishes (Finland), the Estate of Brånäs in Östergötland with the Parishes of Dagsbergs, Steneby and Konungsund and hundred royal hereditary estates closest to Brånäs (Sweden)

She was widow of King Johan III of Sweden, and lived (1568-1597).

 

1586-1618 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Princess Eleonore von Württemberg of Lichtenberg in Anhalt (Germany)

Widow of Joachim Ernst, Fürst von Anhalt (1536-86) who reigned Anhalt-Köthen from 1551 and all of the parts of the Principality of Anhalt from 1570. With his first wife Agnes von Barby (1540-69) he had 3 sons and 4 daughters and they had 5 sons and 3 daughters together. She lived (1552-1618).

 

1586-87 County Sheriff Kirstine Andersdatter Lindenov of the County of Vesterstad (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Kirsten Lindenov was widow of Steen Clausen Bille (1527-86), who was Judge, diplomat and soldier, and she held the fief, which is situated in the

Landscape of Skåne, now Sweden. She owned the estate of Herrevad Kloster and Sellerup in her own right. After 17 years of marriage she had a son followed by one more son and a daughter (d. 1612).

 

1586-1626 County Sheriff Beate Christoffersdatter Huitfeldt of the County of Møllerud, the Shire of Gers and the County of Epholt, Denmark
1615-26 County Sheriff of the Counties of Lund Skt. Peders Kloster in Skåne (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Beate Huitfeldt was widow of Knud Ebbesen Ulfeldt til Svenstorp and held the small tenantcies as security for some loans. Mistress of the Court (Hofmesterinde) of Queen Anna Cathrine von Brandenburg from 1597 until her death in 1612 and for the three young princes until 1617. As an award for her court service, she was given the tenantcy of Gers Herred i Skåne and 1615 St. Peders Kloster i Lund, also Skåne, also owner of a number of estates in her own right. She wrote the history of her family and she was sister of the famous Chancellor of the Realm and historian, Arild Huitfeldt, mother of 2 sons, and lived (1554-1626).

 

 

1586-.. County Sheriff Kirsten Ludvigsdatter Gyldenstierne of the County of Vesterbygård, Denmark

Kirsten Gyldenstierne was widow of Gregers Carlsen Bryske til Skaftelevgård (d.1566) and Erik Bassesen Basse, County Sheriff of Dalby Kloster in Skåne (d. after 1581) as his second wife.

 

1587-93 Regent Dowager Duchess Christine von Hessen-Kassel of Holstein-Gottorp (Germany)
1587-1604 Reigning Dowager Lady of the Administrative Office and Castle of Kiel

Her oldest son, Friederich II, succeeded his father, Adolf (1526-33-86), as Duke of Gottorp at the age of 18. He died after one year and was then succeeded by their second son, Philipp (1570-87-90) and finally after his death by the youngest, Johan Adolf (1575-1590-1616). Her husband had been given the duchy after the death of his father, King Frederik I of Denmark and his older brother, Johann was given Hadersleben (Haderslev) but he died without issue in 1591. She was mother of a total of 10 children, and lived (1543-1604).

 

1587-90 and 1596-99 Reigning Abbess-General Inés Enríquez of the Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos (Spain)

The first Abbess to be elected for a three years period – and to be re-elected. Before that Abbesses of the chapter were elected for life.

 

1587-89 County Sheriff Pernille Albrechtsdatter Gøye of the County of Vesterstad (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Pernille Gøye was probably married to Hak Holgersen Ulfstand til Hikkebjerg (1535-95), who married Anne Vernerdatter Parsberg after her death. She did not have any children, and lived (1550-89).

 

1587-90 County Sheriff Tale Tagesdatter Thott of the Counties of Åhus and Åsum, (At the time Denmark, now Sweden)

Thale Thott or Tale Tot was in charge of Åhus and Åsum, situated in the Landscape of Skåne after the death of her husband, Arild Axelsen Urup (1528-87). A number of folk tales and folk songs were written about their love story. She lived (1550-1611).

 

1587 Acting County Sheriff Lene Tagesdatter Thott of Hammershus with the 4 Herreds of Bornholm, Denmark

Lene Thott was widow of Henrik Brahe. Mother of 7 children, and (d. 1599).

 

1587-92 Overseer of the Crown Lands Zofia Garnysz of Barcice and Rytro, Poland

Her Polish title of starościna niegrodowa translate into “Elder” in the female version and she held the territory as representative of the king.

 

1588-94 Regent Dowager Queen Sophie von Mecklenburg-Schwerin of Schleswig-Holstein (Slesvig-Holsten) (Denmark and Germany)
1588-1631 Reigning Dowager Lady of Lolland-Falster, County Sheriff of the County of Nykøbing with the 2 Shires of Falster and the Counties of Ålholm and Ravnsborg, Denmark

Sophie af Mecklenborg was widow of Frederik 2., and regent for her son Christian 4. in the Duchies of Slesvig-Holsten 1588-94. She was engaged in a power struggle with the Regents of Denmark, The Council of State, which had Christian declared of age in 1593, but she did not give up her position in the Duchies before the following year. She then withdrew to Lolland-Faster, where she managed her estates extremely well and became very rich, lending her son a lot of money for his warfares. Her Dowries included the jurisdiction of Majbølle, Nybølle, Kallø, Soersmark, Oreby, Urne and Vignæs Birk, which meant that she had the right to appoint the judge (birkedommer) and received the income from the costs of the proceedings and fines. She lived (1557-1631).

 

1588-94 Titular Duchess Charlotte de La Mack of Boullion, Princess of Sedan, Jametz and Ravcourt (France)

Inherited the title from her brother, Guillaume-Robert, and after she died giving birth to a stillborn daughter, she was succeeded by

husband, Henri de la Tour d’Auvergne. The duchy today is held by the Dukes of Rohan, via succession trough female lines. She lived (1575-94).

 

1588-1613 Titular Marchioness Maria Mencia van Wittem van Beersel of Bergen op Zoom, Countess van Walhain, Dame of Beerssel, Duffel, Gheel, Leefdael, Waver, Eigenbrakel etc. (The Netherlands)

Daughter of Jan van Wittem, Vicomte de Sébourg etc (d. 1588), who was joint superintendent with his wife, Marie Marguerite de Mérode, Marchioness van Bergen op Zoom (d. 1588). Maria Mencia was first married to Herman van Berg s’Heerenberg, count of Bergh, Governor of Spanish Gelre (1558-1611), and secondly to Guillaume de Melun, Prince d’Epinoy (d. 1635), and was succeeded by daughter Maria Elisabeth Clara. Maria Mencia’s sister Margareta inherited the title of Baroness van Bautershem and Ernestine inherited the title of Countess de Walhain, Viscountess de Sébourg. She lived (1581-1613).

 

1588-98 Princess-Abbess Elisabeth VIII von Manderscheid-Blankenheim of Essen (Germany)

Sister of Elisabeth VI, who had resigned in 1578 in order to marry an Evangelical count. The abbey was severely damaged during the wars of the time. In 1590 she appointed her brother Amtmann (Governor) in Breisig, a small territory which was also claimed by the Duke of Jülich.

 

1589-93 Governor Luisa Grinalda, Espírito Santo (Brazil)

After the death of her husband, Vasco Fernandes Coutinho, she acted as governor for the King of Portugal, until she returned to her Portugal and died in a Chapter in Èvora some years later. She was daughter of Pedro Álvares Corrêa and Caterina Grimaldi, and lived (1541-circa 1626).

 

1589-1602 Sovereign Countess Amelie von Neuenahr-Alpen of Neuenahr und Limburg, Acting Hereditary Marshal of the Diocese of Köln, Acting Lady of Alpen, Helpenstein and Lennep (The Netherlands and Germany)

In charge of Vianden and a number of attached possessions 1579-87 as an inheritance from her first husband, Heinrich von Brederode (1531-68). She

married Friedrich II von der Pfalz in 1569, but he died in 1576. In 1589 she inherited Limburg from her half-brother, Anton. In 1590 she was given the rights of use of Alpen, Helpenstein, Lennep and Erbvogtei of Köln by her half-sister, Magdalena, who was the owner of the territories after the death of their brother. Alpen was occupied by the Republic of the Netherlands in 1597 and the following year by the Spanish Low Countries which also occupied Helpenstein and the Stewardship of Köln. 1600 she took possession of Alpen and, she still held the right of Linnep and Limburg. She was succeeded by sister, Magdalena, the basis of the inheritance-settlement (erbvertrag) from 1575. Also known as Amalia, she was daughter of Gumprecht II. von Neuenahr-Alpen, Count of Limburg (1505-1552/1556), and Carda von Schaumburg (d. 1540) in her second marriage, and lived (1539-1602).

1589-1601 Sovereign Duchess Louise de Lorraine-Vaudémont of Berry (France)

After her husband, King Henri III of France, was murdered, she spend the rest of her life in mourning. She did not have any children, and lived (1553-1601).

 

1589-1605 Princess-Abbess Ursula II von Stotzingen of Heggbach (Germany)

Prioress and second-in-command for a number of years before her election. At the time of her reign, her family was Imperial Immediate Lords (Reichsfreien Herren) of a territory in Württemberg and were later appointed Counts.

 

1589-1611 Princess-Abbess Anna Erika zu Waldeck-Eisenberg of Gandersheim (Germany)

The first Evangelical ruler of the territory and for the first time since 1206 no Papal confirmation was sought for her election. She saw the fact that Emperor Rudolf II gave her the fief and regalia (mit den regalien belehnt) as a proof of the independent character of the territory and she refused to swear an oath of allegiance (Erbhuldigung) to the Duke of Braunschweig, but in 1593 she and Duke Heinrich Julius signed the “Grand Treaty” (Grosser Vertrag) where she gave the Duke a right to have a say when positions within the chapter had to be filled. On the other hand the Duke accepted that the Chapter enjoyed Freedom of the Realm (Reichsunmittelkeit). The chapter burned down in 1597 and was rebuilt in renaissance-style, which lead to heavy depths to the Duke of Braunschweig. She was daughter of Wolrad II Count of Waldeck-Eisenberg and Anastasia von Schwarzenburg, and lived (1551-1611).

 

1589-94 County Sheriff Anne Pedersdatter Galt of the County Nederby (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Anne Galt was widow of Anders Keldsen Bing, Councillor of the Realm, County Sheriff of Nederby and Varberg. (d. 1589) without children as the last male of his family. She lived (1546-after 1605).

 

1589 County Sheriff Anne Jørgensdatter Vestermand of Thistedgård with Hundborg Herred, Denmark

Anne Venstermand til Pilegård was widow of Godske Brockenhuus, and (d. after 1607).

 

Circa 1590-1660 Mwan and Yau Lundij Rweej of Lunda (Congo)

Succeeded by husband Cibinda Ilunga as ruler of the marshy environment of the Upemba depression, the source of the Zaire River, which encouraged the formation of a state. It demanded that its inhabitants develop forms of large-scale cooperation if they were to maintain a secure and productive lifestyle. In the Upemba environment of lakes, marshes and river channels, they needed dikes to protect homes against seasonal flooding, drainage channels, and dams to retain lake waters for dry-season fishing.

 

Before 1590 Datuk I Sambo of Tallo (Indonesia)

Inherited the principality from her father, I Daeng Padulu, and was succeeded by husband, Tunijallo, who was also Somba of Gowa.

 

1590-1607 I-Dangka We Tan-ri Tuppu, Arumpone of Bone (Indonesia)

Successor of her father, and abdicated in favour of her husband as rule by women became to be considered not to be in keeping with Islam, but he was deposed after one year for urging his people to accept Islam. Her ceremonial name was MatinroE-ri Sidenreng.

 

1590 Regent Dowager Princess Isabel de Mendoza of Piombino and the Lordships of Scarlino, Populonia, Suvereto, Buriano, Abbadia al Fango and Vignale and the Islands of Elba, Montecristo, Pianosa, Cerboli and Palmaiola (Italy)

After the death of her husband, Alessandro Appiani d’Aragona, she was regent for son, Giacopo VIII (1581-1603). Later her daughter, Isabella (1577-1661), was Princess of the territory 1611-24 until she was deposed by the Spanish. The daughter of Don Pedro Gonsalvo de Mendoza, COunt of Binasco, Ambassador of the King of Spain to Genova, she lived (1558-1619).

 

1590-? Joint Sovereign Countess Anne de Montmorency-Laval of Joigny (France)

Succeeded to the country jointly with her sister after the death of their brother Guy de Laval.

 

1590-1606 Joint Sovereign Countess Gabrielle de Montmorency-Laval of Joigny (France)

She sold the county to Pierre de Gondi. She d. 1616).

 

1590-93 Reigning Abbess-General Beatriz Manrique de Lara y Valencia of the Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos (Spain)

Her sister, Francisca Manrique de Lara y Vaencia, was Abbess-General 1570-81. Beatriz (d. 1593).

 

1591-1604 Guardian Dowager Electress Sophie von Brandenburg of Sachsen (Germany)
1591-1622 Reigning Dowager Lady of the Offices and Castles of Rochlitz, Colditz and Borna, the Office and Castle of Leisnig with the Cities of Leisnig and Döbeln in Sachsen

After the death of her husband, Christian I von Sachsen (1560-86-91) she was guardian for their son, Christian II (1583-91-1611) and other children.

She was very much involved in the religious fights during her lifetime and on her demand the Calvinist Chancellor Nikolaus Crell and a big part of the Saxon nobility were arrested and after a lengthily process executed in 1611. A very able administrator, she extended her dowry over the years, held a large court with many civil servants, and Colditz experienced a time of cultural and commercial growth. The castle remained the dowry of Saxonian Dowager Electresses until 1753. She lived (1568-1622).

 

1591-1603 Regent Dowager Countess Walburga von Bentheim-Steinfurt of Wied (Germany)
1603-05 (or 1628) Dowager Reigning Lady of Gronau in Bentheim

After the death of her husband, Count Hermann I zu Wied, she was regent for their son, Johann Wilhelm (circa 1580-1633). After he came of age, she took over her dowry in her “native” Bentheim. Mother of 3 sons and 3 daughters and lived (1555-1628).

 

1591 Acting County Sheriff Anne Knudsdatter Gyldenstierne of of the County of Malmøhus with the Shires of Oxle, Ingelstad and Jærestad and the County of Högby (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)
1591-92 Acting County Sheriff of the County of Kalundborg with the Shires of Arts Løve and Ods Skippinge and Samsø, Denmark

Anna or Anne Gyldenstierne was widow of Corfitz Viffert. She lived (1544-95).

 

1591-1637 Feudal Duchess Isabella Gonzaga of Sabbioneta e Treatto, Contessa di Roddi e Ricalta, Baronessa di Tutino, Itri e Minturno, Contessa di Fondi (Italy)

Succeeded her father, Vespasiano I Gonzaga Colonna is possessions and a rich dowry in gold coins. It opened a bitter dispute over the succession to the duchy of Sabbioneta with her relatives; the Gonzaga of Mantua and of San Martin. An agreement was signed and the small state was dismembered: the county of Rodigo went to Vincenzo I Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua, the Marquisate of Ostiano and the feuds of Cocoon , Rivarolo and Commessaggio were divided among the sons of Pirro Gonzaga and the she kept Sabbioneta, Itri , Fondi and Minto. She married to Don Luigi Carafa Principe di Stigliano (d. 1630). At her death she was succeeded by her granddaughter, Donna Anna Carafa de Stigliano-Gonzaga (1637-44), who was married to the Duke de Medinas de Torres, Don Ricardo de Guzmán. She lived (1565-1637).

 

1592-1600 Regent Dowager Duchess Dorothea af Danmark of Braunschweig-Lüneburg (Germany)
1592 Reigning Dowager Lady of the Administrative Office and Castle of Winsen (Schloss und Amt) and of Gross Rhode

From 1582 her husband, Wilhelm, suffered fits of insanity and she fled in security. After his death she was regent for son, Duke Georg (1692-1644) who inherited the duchies of Carlenberg-Göttingen from a relative. She mistrusted the Councillors who had thrown the country into chaos during her husband’s illness, took matters in her own hand and became known as an energetic and charitable regent. She was daughter of King Christian III of Denmark and lived (1546-1617).

1592-1609 Politically Influential Princess Sibylla von Jülich-Kleve-Berg of Jülich-Kleve-Berg-Mark (Germany)

Contemporary sources describe her as power-mad, stupid and vindictive. She supported Marshal Wilhelm von Waldenburg and in

1595 she handed over a petition against her sister-in-law, Jakobäa von Baden, to the Landtag in Grevenbroich accusing her of among others infidelity. She and von Waldenburg claimed to working for the healing of the insane Duke and in this way they managed to keep power. They were rumoured to have caused the sudden and mysterious death of Jakobäa, and the rumours continued for centuries. After the death of her brother, Johann Wilhelm, she engaged in a war of succession together with her husband, Archduke Karl of Austria (d. 1618) against the husbands and children of her sisters: Marie Eleonora (1550-1608), Anne (1552-1632) with her husband, Pfalzgraf Philipp Ludwig von Pfalz-Neuburg (d. 1614), Magdalena (1553-33) with Pfalzgraf Johann von Pfalz-Zweibrücken (d. 1604). In the end it was the oldest daughter of Marie Eleonora, Anna von Preussen, who inherited the duchies. Sibylle lived (1557-1627).

1592-98 Politically Influential Queen Anna von Habsburg of Poland

The beginning of the 17th Century in Poland went through a very turbulent time, and she was influential during the reign of her husband Zygmunt III Wasa, who was elected as successor of Stefan Batory as King of the Polish and Lithuanian Commonwealth. Sigismund was son of Johann III Vasa of Sweden (1537-1592) and Katarina of Poland (1526-83), the daughter of Sigismund I the Old and his wife Bona Sforza. On his father’s death, he was offered the Swedish throne, and he was crowned in 1594. He tried to rule Sweden from Poland but his uncle (duke Charles, later king Charles IX) took full control of Sweden. In 1598 Sigismund tried to defeat him with a mixed army from Sweden and Poland but was defeated in the battle of Stångebro. She was daughter of Archduke Karl II of Austria, mother of four children, and lived (1573-98).

 

1592-1608 Guardian Dowager Duchess Sophie von Holstein-Gottorp of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Güstrow (Germany)
1592 Reigning Dowager Lady of the Administrative Offices of Rehna, Wittenburg and Lübz
1603-08 Administrator of Schwerin

After her husband, Duke Johann VII of (1558-76-92) committed suicide at Stargard, she became guardian for her sons, Duke Adolf

Friedrich I of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1588-92-1628) and Johann Albrecht II of Mecklenburg-Güstrow (1590-92-1610-36) and yielded substantial influence over the government in Schwerin. After the death of her brother-in-law Sigismund August was Duke (1576-1603) and his uncle, Ulrich III (1603) she signed a treaty with the new Duke Karl which left her with the administration of Schwerin until her sons came of age. She was engaged in heavy disputes with the Treasurer Andreas Meier, whom she accused of fraud and she demeaned to have the financial control transferred to her at the Assemblies of 1604 and 1606, but it was denied. She was active in trade and commerce and modernised her residence in her dowries where she possessed full sovereignty – except for the role as fief-overlord over the nobility. But her territories were occupied several times during the Thirty Years War. Her sons accused her of mismanagement and their relationship was never good. She lived (1569-1634).

 

1592-1600 Reigning Abbess Agnes Reiff genannt Walter von Blidegg of Wald, Lady of the Offices of Wald, Vernhof and Ennigerloh (Germany)

As Abbess she also held the overlordship and lower jurisdiction in the villages of Wald, Buffenhofen, Burrau, Dietershofen, Gaisweiler, Hippetsweiler, Kappel, Litzelbach, Otterswang, Reischach, Riedetsweiler, Ringgenbach, Rothenlachen, Steckeln, Walbertsweiler und Weihwang by the Bodenzee Lake and outside it’s acctual territories of Igelswies, Ruhestetten und Tautenbronn.

 

1592 Acting County Sheriff Hilleborg Clausdatter Daa of the County of Hald, Denmark

Following the death of her husband, Jørgen Skram, Hilleborg Daa took over the administration of the fief. Daughter of Claus Daa af Ravnstrup. She lived (1549-95).

 

1592-93 County Sheriff Christence Cortiftzdatter Viffert of the County of Vinstrupgård, Denmark

Christence Vifferet was widow of Henrik Bille til Mogenstrup (1559-92). Mother of one son, and (d. 1604).

 

1592 Acting County Sheriff Lisbeth Mikkelsdatter Seested of Roskildegård with Harritsborg and Kirketjenerne under bispegården og Fadeburslenet, Denmark

Lisbeth Seested was widow of Niels Vernersen Parsberg til Harrested og Sandbygård. She lived (1555-1624).

 

After 1592-1631 Overseer of the Crown Lands Zofia Herburtowna Czarnkowska of Świecie, Poland

Appointed by the King as his local representative.

 

1592-1632 Politically Influential Urszula Meierin in Poland

The chamberialin and administrator of the Queen’s court (her surname means chamberlain) and Senior Governess and very close and unofficial

advisor of king Zygmunt III Waza (1566-87-1632) of Poland and his wifes Queen Anna Austriaczka and Queen Konstancja Austriaczka. Also known as Meyerin and her real name was possibly Ursula Gienger von Grünbüch. She lived (around 1570-1635).

 

1593-1604 Sovereign Countess Magdalene von Nassau-Wiesbaden of Virneburg (Germany)

After the death of her husband, Joachim von Manderscheid-Schleiden (1540-82), 2 relatives were appointed regents and guardians for her children, and she spend lot of energy keeping on to her dowry Neurburg and preventing her young son from being taken abroad for “proper catholic education” by the Spanish Duke of Alba, the governor of the Southern Netherlands – Manderscheid was within the Luxembourgian interest sphere. Her son Philipp Dietrich died in 1590 and her daughters and son-in-laws were engaged in a fight over the succession, which was solved in the way that the 3 sons-in-law alternated in reigning the country one year at a time. In the end the county of Schleiden was divided among the three. She later inherited the country of Virneburg from her brother-in-law, Count Dietrich IV von Manderscheid-Schleiden-Virneburg, who was the last male member of the line. She secured the succession for her oldest, and only surviving daughter, Elisabeth, who took over the inheritance in 1604 and transferred the county to her husband and son. Magdalene lived (1546-1604).

 

1593-1616 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Countess Anna von Nassau-Dillenburg of Weilburg and of the Lordship of Wehen in Nassau-Ottweiler (Germany)

Widow of Count Albrecht von Nassau-Ottweiler, Ottweiler, Hohenburg, Kircheim, Lahr and Mahlberg, a leading follower of the reformation and diplomat. The lordship of Wehen was poor and she managed to revitalise the economy and build a school in the area, and from 1602 she lived together with her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth von Hessen-Darmstadt at the Castle of Wehen. Mother of 14 children and lived (1541-1616).

 

1593-1610 Princess-Abbess Sophie Elisabeth von Anhalt-Dessau of Gernrode and Frose (Germany)

When she resigned in order to marry her cousin, Georg Rudolf (Jerzy) von Liegnitz (1595-1653), as his first wife, the Ecclesiastical Territory was secularised and incorporated into Anhalt-Bernburg. She was daughter of Johann Georg I von Anhalt-Dessau and his first wife, Dorothea von Mansfeld-Arnstein, did not have any children, and lived (1589-1622).

 

1593-96 and 1599-1601 Reigning Abbess-General Juana de Ayala of the Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos (Spain)

Her title was noble Lady, the superior, prelate, and lawful administratrix in spirituals and temporals of the royal abbey.

 

1593-1643 Reigning Abbess Louise de L’Hôpital of Montvilliers (France)

Appoined by a bulle by Pope Clement VIII. One of 3 Abbesses from the Dynasty. Nicolas, Marquis de Vitry et d’Arc, Count de Châteauvillain and Seigneur de Coubert and Lucrèce Bouhier, succeeded by niece Anne de L’Hôpital , and lived (1567-1643).

 

1594-1613 Queen Kusumasana Devi of Kandy (Sri Lanka)

Her father, king Karaliadde Bandara, on his deathbed had placed her in the custody of the Portugues, brought her up as a Christian under the name of

Dona Catarina. Together with the Portugese she fought Vimaladharma and as installed on the throne. Her supporter, Lopez de Souza, was killed at the battle of Danture in 1594 when she fell into the hands of Konappu Bandara, a Kandyan aristocrat who had mastered Portuguese military skills by feigning to have become a Christian became the king of Senkadagalapura (Kandy) in 1592, after deposing the Portuguese puppet Don Juan, set up by them. Konappu Bandara assumed the name of Vimaladharmasuriya I, (1592- 1604) marrying her and thereby strengthening his claim to the throne. After his death, she married his first cousin Senarat (1604-1635), a former priest. She lived (1578-1613).

 

1594-1608 Princess-Abbess Margaretha II Mufflin of Obermünster in Regensburg (Germany)

Elected as successor of Magdalena von Gleissenthal.

 

1594-1610 Princess-Abbess Eléonore von Montfort of Buchau (Germany)

Her reign was very quiet and the chapter was in a stable development. She was daughter of Count Hugo von Montfort and Magdalena von Schwarzenberg and niece of the former abbess, Margarete von Montfort (1540-56).

 

1594 County Sheriff Thale Holgersdatter Ulfstand of the County of Malmøhus (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

In various documents Thale Ulfstand wrote her name as Thaale Wlffstandt til Skabersøe. She took over as Lensmand after the death of her brother, Hack Holgersen Ulfstand, who had been Government Councillor, Councillor of State, Marsk, Knight of the Order of the Elephant and after the death of King Frederik 2, guardian for his son, Christian 4, but was executed for treason in 1590. (d. 1604).

 

1594 Acting County Sheriff Karen Iversdatter Krabbe of Hammershus with the 4 Herreds of Bornholm, Denmark

Karen Krabbe was in charge of the tenantcy after the death of her husband, Falk Falksen Gøye. Her sister, Anne, was Acting County

Sheriff in 1580. Karen was mother of 2 children, and (d. 1602).

 

1594-1603 Politically Influential Safiye Vailde Sultan of The Ottoman Empire (Covering Turkey, Greece, The Balcans, parts of the Middle East and Northern Africa)

Already as Chief Wife of her husband, Murat III from 1574 she was the power behind the throne especially after the death of her mother-in-law Nurbanu. She continued the pro-Venetian policy of Nurbanu and maintained an extensive foreign correspondence, most notably with Queen Elizabeth I of England. When her husband died, she kept the news secret, because wanted to give her son, Mehmet, time to return from Manisa, where he was governor. In 1599 Queen Elizabeth presented him with an organ and her with a splendid carriage, which she used to excursions into the town. When Mehmet died in 1603 her grandson, Ahmet I, sent her to the Old Seray where she died 15 years later. She lived (1550-1618).

 

1594-1600 (†) Politically Influential Esperanza Malchi in the Ottoman Empire (Covering Turkey, Greece, The Balcans, parts of the Middle East and Northern Africa)

Throughout the ages the Queen Mothers had carried out their financial dealings through a series of Jewish women (kira), who acted as commercial agents for the secluded Harem women. She was Safiye’s kira, and became enormously rich, and the Secretary to the British embassy in the 1600s even attributed her influence to the fact that she and Safiye were lovers. In 1600 the imperial cavalry rose up in a revolt because of the devaluation of the currency. Their fury was directed towards her and she was killed together with her son.

 

1595-96 Acting County Sheriff Margrethe Ottosdatter Brahe of the Counties of Åkjær and Sønderlyngherred, Denmark
1612 Acting County Sheriff of the County of Landskrona Skåne (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Margrethe Brahe was in charge of the administration of the tenantcy after the death of her hsuband, Councillor of State Christen Skeel til Hegnet,

Hammeltofte and Fusingø (1543-96), who was County Sheriff (Lensmand) of the Fiefs of Bøvling Slot and Len and Aakjær Len for many years. After the death of her second husband, Christian (Kristen) Bernekov, she was in charge of his tenantcy. She was daughter of Otto Brahe til Knudstrup and Beate Bille, who was County Sheriff of Røding from 1571, and lived (1551-1616).

 

1595-99 Duchess Gabrielle d’Estree of Beaufort and Verneuil, Marquise de Monceaux (France)

Mistress of Henri IV of France and active in persuading him to convert from Protestantism to Catholism. She died after having given birth to a stillborn child, her third, and lived (1571-99).

 

1595-1615 Princess-Abbess Maria III von und zu Eltz of Munsterbilzen, Dame of Wellen, Haccourt, Hallembaye and Kleine-Spouwen (Belgium)

Possibly the daughter of Bernhard, Herr von und zu Eltz zu Üttingen und Wolmeringen, Governor of Diedenhofen, Statholder of Luxemburg, (d. b.1550) and Jutta de Villers (d. before 1534).

 

1596-1616 Reigning Dowager Duchess Anna von Württemberg of Hainau (Chojnów) (Poland)

Also known as Anna Wirtemberska, she held the Slesian Duchy as her dowry after the death of her first husband, Duke Jan Jerzy of Oława (Johan von Ohlau). In 1594 she was married (as the third wife) to Duke Friederich IV von Liegnitz (Fryderyk of Legnica). She was daughter of Duke Christopher von Württemberg and markgräfin Anna Maria von Brandenburg-Bayreuth, mother of two children, and lived (1561-1616).

 

1596-99 Acting County Sheriff Margrethe Ottesdatter Rosenkrantz of the County of Hindsgavl with Vendsherred, Denmark

After the death of her husband, Hans Johansen Lindenov, Margrethe Rosenkrantz was in charge of the tenantcy. She raised several young noble women and her own grandchildren, and was mother of 9 children, and lived (1552-1635).

 

1596-1602 Abbess with the authority of a County Sheriff Margrethe Pedersdatter Norby of the Chapter and Town of Maribo and surroundings (Denmark)

Elected as successor of Sophia Gyldenstjerne. She had been married to Jørgen Bryske until their divorce, and in 1564 she entered the chapter. As Abbess she held the jurisdiction of those who lived at the estates of the Chapter and 1559 over the City of Maribo and surroundings. This meant that she had the right to appoint the judge (birkedommer) and received the income from the costs of the proceedings and fines. Daughter of Peder Norby til Urup (d. 1602).

 

1596 Acting County Sheriff Dorthe Gundesdatter Lange of the County of Kalø with the Shires of Mols, Nørre- and Sønderherred, Djurs, Sønderhand and Østerlisberg, Denmark

Dorthe Lange was widow of Jørgen Rosenkrantz, chancellor and leader of the regency government for the minor King Christian 4. Her mother, Karen Breide, had been County Sheriff of Svendstrup 1539-44 . She was mother of 3 children, and lived (1541-1613).

 

1596 Governor and Admiral Isabel Barreto de Castro, Santa Cruz (Solomon Islands at the time a Spanish Possession)

Just after the death of her husband, Alvaro Mendana de Neyra, Spanish navigator (1541-96), she proclaimed herself governor and

took command of the fleet. Her husband had been given command of a small fleet by his uncle, the Governor-General of Peru in 1567. After his return they married and in 1594 Philip II appointed him as governor of the island of San Cristobal in the Solomons, and gave orders to found a colony there. They left for the islands in 1595 and on the way they discovered the Marquesas de Mendoza Islands and another large island, which they named Santa Cruz, and resolved to establish the colony there. Some of the crew murdered one of the native chiefs, and a bloody war was begun against the invaders. Afterward there was a mutiny among the troops. These adversities undermined her husabnd’s health, and he soon died, leaving the government to her. Soon after she and the chief pilot, Quiros resolved to abandon the colony, and she directed her ships to the Philippines. She held the title “La Amiranta de la Mar Oceana”, and lived (1570-1612).

 

1597-1603 Crown Councillor Dowager Empress Hamalmal Malik Mogasa of Ethiopia
1604-1607 Politically Influential

Following the death of her husband, Emperor Sartsa Dengel (or Malik Sagad I) (1563-97), she was member of the regency for stepson, Yaqub (Malik Sagad II) (1590-97-1603 and 1604-07), and remained influential after he came of age. He was deposed by a cousin in 1603 and killed in battle against another, who took over the throne. She was born as Mariam Senna, and (d. 1614).

 

1597 Regent Dowager Feudal Baroness Isabella della Tolfa of Agripoli(Italy)

The widow of Agostino Grimaldi and regent for son, Nicola Merualdo Grimaldi, she sold the feudal the barony to Dalmazio Arcalla Caracciolo for 12.390 Ducates.

 

1597-1611 Regent Dowager Lady Metta van Limburg-Bronckhorst of Holstein-Schaumburg-Gemen (Germany)

When her husband, Heinrich V von Holstein-Schaumburg-Gemen died, their only son, Jobst Herman, was 4 years old, and she took over the government of the territories in Northern Germany and the Netherlands, among others’ the Water-castle (Wasserburg) Gemen van Schaumburg.

 

1597-1628 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Countess Erika von Isenburg-Birstein of the Castle and Administrative Office of Burgschwalbach in Nassau-Weilburg (Germany)

Widow of Count Wilhelm von Nassau-Weilburg, she died in Berleburg where the youngest of her 2 daughters, Elisabeth Juliane (1598-1647) was married to Count Ludwig Kasimir von Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (d. 1643) and Count Georg von Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (d. 1680). The oldest, Anna (1597-1645) was married to Count Friedrich X von Leiningen-Dagsburg. She lived (1569-1628).

 

1597-1608 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Duchess Katharina Sophia von Liegnitz of the Administrative Offices of Flossenbürg and Vohenstrauß and parts of Parkstein-Weiden in Pfalz-Zweibrücken-Velden-Parkestein (Germany)

Widow of Pfalzgraf Friedrich II. von Pfalz-Zweibrücken-Veldenz-Parkestein, who had been given the Offices of Parkstein, Weiden und Flossenbürg, when his father died. Since both their sons and their daughter died as infants the seigniorial rights returned to the Principality of Pfalz-Neuburg, but she remained in charge of her dowry and resided at the Castel of Friedrichsburg bei Vohenstrauß, that her husband had built. She was daughter of Heinrich XI. von Liegnitz, Brieg und Goldberg, and lived (1561-1608).

 

Until 1598 Regent Dowager Lady Catalina Escobar of Lanzarote (Spain)

Reigned in the name of Agustin I de Herrera (1537-1598)

 

1598-1621 Regent Dowager Lady Mariana Enriquez Manrique de la Vega of Lanzarote (Spain)

Reigned in the name of Agustin II de Herrera y Rojas (1594-1631)

 

1598-1658 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Duchess Klara zu Braunschweig-Lüneburg of the Administrative Office and Castle of Heringen an der Helme in Schwarzburg (Germany)

Due to her wise actions during the Thirty Year War, she managed to save the city from plundering and war taxes. She was widow of Wilhelm I. Count of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg, Lord of Hohenstein Count Wilhelm I von Schwarzburg-Blankenburg (1535-83-97). She was the 8th of 16 children of Duke Wilhelm of Braunschweig-Lüneburg (1535-59-92) and Dorothea af Danmark (1549-1617), and lived (1571-1658).

 

1598 De facto reigning Zarina Irina Fedorovna Godunova of Russia (07.-17. January)

Considered to be the effective ruler throughout the reign of her weak husband, Fedor I Ivanovich, from 1584. In 1598 she took the throne for ten days

before retirering to a convent to become a nun. After a brief interregnum, her brother Boris Godunov was elected to succeed her. She lived (1557-1603).

1598-1621 Isabel Clara Eugenia, Infanta of Spain, By the Grace of Good Archduchess of Austria, Joint Duchess of Burgundy, Lothringen, Brabant, Limbourg, Luxembourg and of Gelders, Joint Countess of Vlaanderen, Artois and Bourgogne and Tirol, Palatine of Hainault, Holland, Namour and of Zuytphen, Margravine of the Holy Roman Realm, Joint Lady of Friesland, Salins, Mechelen, of the City, Cities and Lands of Utrecht, Overijssel and Groeningen
1598-1633 Countess of Franche-Comté (Belgium)
1617-33 Joint Marchioness of Coligny and Andelot (France)
1621-33 Governor of the Southern Low Countries (Belgium-Luxembourg)

After her uncle, Henri III of France, was assassinated 1589, her father, Felipe II of Spain, claimed the French crown on her behalf in spite of the Salic Law and the fact that her mother, Elisabeth de Valois, had to abjure any claims to the French crown with her marriage. 10 years later she married her cousin Archduke Albert of Austria, and they became joint Governors of the Southern Netherlands. Their reign brought a period of much-needed peace and stability to the economy and their actions stimulated the growth of a separate South Netherlandish identity. She promoted the Flemish Baroque and artists as Rubens, Brueghel, Coebergher, the De Nole family, the Van Veens and others. Their court became a vital link in the chain of Habsburg courts and the diplomatic conduits between Madrid, Vienna, Paris, London, Lisbon, Graz, Innsbruck and Prague. When her husband died in 1621, she joined the order of the Sisters of St. Clare, and became the governor of the Netherlands. Mother of 3 children who all died as infants, and lived (1566-1633).

 

1598-99 Sovereign Countess Anna von Stolberg-Königstein-Rochefort of Wertheim and Rochefort (Germany)

Her father Ludwig zu Stolberg-Königstein had inherited the possessions of the House of Eppstein-Königstein in 1532 and in 1556 he inherited the county

of Wertheim. She was married to Count Ludwig zu Löwenstein-Scharffeneck (1530-1611), who added Wertheim to his name and was Stadholder of Styria, Carinthia and Carnolia. She lived (1531/48-99).

 

1598-1625 Princess-Abbess Elisabeth IV Hartmann of Baindt (Germany)

In 1607 she introduced the more strong clausures and the common meal that had been demanded already in 1573. And in 1622 she build the long-building (Langbau) and reconstructed the Mill of the Chapter, which was financially very important for the territory

 

1598-1604 Princess-Abbess Margaretha-Elisabeth von Manderscheid-Gerolstein of Essen (Germany)

From 1586 she had been Abbess of the Stift Gerresheim, from 1598 of Freckenhorst, in 1590 she had become Probstin of Relinghausen and around 1600 she was elected Abbess in Schwarzrheindorf. She was daughter of Count Hans Gerhard and Margarethe, Wild und Rheingräfin, and lived (1569-1604).

1598-1605 Princess-Abbess Katharina II Scheiffl of Niedermünster in Regensburg (Germany)

Member of the Assembly of the Bavarian Circle. The function of each Circle was primarily the administration of Imperial law and the maintenance of order, but the assemblies also served to assess local opinion and to direct regional efforts as circumstances dictated. The system was formalized in 1500, when Emperor Maximilian I created 6 circles (Bavaria, Franconia, Lower Saxony, Swabia, Upper Saxony, Westphalia), and reorganized twelve years later into ten, with the addition of Austria, Burgundy, the Rheinish Electorates, and the Rhine Palatinate.

 

1598-1611 Politically Influential Queen Margarita d’Austria of Spain and Portugal

Reacted toward the influence of the advisors and the Duke of Lerma during the reign of her spouse, King Felipe III, and was active in an

intrigue to reveal the corrucption she accused Lerma of having, which eventually lead to his fall from power, although not until after her own death. Active in representing the Austrian Habsburg interests at the Spanish court from 1599 until her death. A great patroness of the arts, she was daughter of Archduke Karl II of Austria-Este and Maria Anna of Bavaria, and mother of a number of children. She lived (1584-1611).

 

1599-1600 County Sheriff Sophie Pedersdatter Bille of the County of Mariager, Denmark

Sophie Bille til Svanholm was widow of Jakob Seefeld til Visborg, and lived (1549-1608).

Around 1500 Queen Tlapalizquixochtzin of the City State of Ecatepec (Mexico)

The daughter of Prince Matlaccoatzin who was son of King Chimalpilli I, she married Emperor Moctezuma II Tenochtitlan (circa 1466-1520). Their daughter, Doña Francisca de Moctezuma, married Don Diego de Alvarado Huanitzin, the ruler of Ecatepec and Tenochtitlan, who was son of her sister, Tlacuilolxochtzin and his brother, Tezozomoctli Acolnahuacatl.

 

Around 1500 Queen Sukda of Mandara (Cameroon)

She was the first ruler of The Mandara (or Wandala) tribe, which is located just south of Lake Chad in both northern Cameroon and Nigeria in savannah. The tribe also occupy a mountainous area where the Gotel and Mandara Mountains meet. This hot, tropical region has only 30 inches of rainfall each year, and the Mandara are among other tribes of Sudanic herdsmen who migrate seasonally with their animals, searching for fresh grazing lands.

 

1500s Reigning Abbess Claire Motier de La Fayette of Montvilliers (France)

Daughter of VI Gilbert IV Motier de La Fayette, Seigneur de Saint-Romain, de Hautefeuille and de Pontgibault and Isabeau. (b. 1482-?).

 

1500-.. Regent Patodhara Sodhaji Raniji Shri Asadi Kunverba Sahib of Halvad (later known as Dhrangadgra) (India)

One of the many wives of Rana Raj Raydharji, she became regent when her grandfather, Thakore Shri Lakhadhirji II Samatsinhji Sahib, Thakore Sahib of Muli, installed her son, Raydharji, as ruler, when his two older half-brothers accompanied their father’s funeral procession.

 

1500-40 Sovereign Countess Marie d’Albret of Rethel, Sovereign Princess of Boisbelle-Henrichemont (France) (Belgium)

Succeeded her mother, Charlotte de Bourgogne, as Countess of Rethel, and was married to Charles of Clèves, Count de Nevers (d. 1521) and succeeded by son, François de Nevers et Rethel, Duke of de Nevers (d. 1561) whose daughters shared the inheritance. Henriette de Clève became Duchess of Nevers-Rethel, Catherine de Nevers (1548-1633) Countess d’Eu and Marie de Nevers (1553-74) Comtesse de Beaufort. Her father was Jean d’Albret (d. 1524), and she lived (1491-1549).

 

From 1500 Sovereign Countess Anne de Chabannes of Dammartin (France)

She was daughter of Jean VII de Chabannes, Count of Dammartin.

 

Circa 1500 Sovereign Countess Lucretia Loredani of Ios (Greece)

Governed the island in the Cyclades located south of Naxos and north of Thera.

 

1500-15 Governatrice Dowager Lady Francesca Grimaldi of the Fiefs of Dolceacqua, Isolabona, Apricale and Perinaldo (Italy)

Following the death of her husband, Luca Doria, she became regent in his lands. She was daughter of Lamberto Grimbaldo, Councillor of Antibes and Cagnes, Sovereign Lord of Monaco and Roccabruna and Patrician of Genova.

 

1500-23 Hereditary Countess Elisabeth von Hessen-Marburg of Katzenelnbogen and ¼ of the County of Diez (Germany)

After her mother, Anna von Katzenelnbogen, died in 1494, the County was disputed among her and her sister, Duchess Mathilda of Jülich-Berg (d. 1505), and a compromise was not reached until 1520. Elisabeth was married to Johann V Count of Nassau, Vianden, Katzenelnbogen and Diez, Baron of Breda, Stadholder of Gelre and Zutphen 1504-1505, and lived (1466-1523).

 

 

1500-01 Administrator of the Tenantcy Dowager Burgravine Johanetta von Salm of Rheineck (Germany)

Following the tradition, she administered the fief for the remainder of the year following the death of her husband, Burgrave Jakob

von Rheineck. Her son, Jakob II, reached the age of majority in 1508 and Archbishop Hermann of Köln granted him the fief of Rheineck. As he died without male heirs in 1539, Köln withdrew the fief, but his niece, Mezza, claimed the inheritance, it was not until 1571 after a court process, that her sons Johann and Wilhelm von Warsberg were declared as rightful heirs. Consequently Archbishop Salentin von Isenburg of Köln granted the Burgravate as a hereditary fief. Johnanette married Philipp Beissel von Gymnich in 1501. She was daughter of Wild- und Rheingraf Johann V. and Johanna von Salm, and lived (circa 1465-after 1516).

 

1500-? Princess-Abbess Agnes II von Paulsdorff of Obermünster in Regensburg (Germany)

The Fürstäbtissin of the territory became a member of the Geistlichen Fürstenbank (Lords Spiritual) of the Bayrischer Kreis (Bavarian Circle) when it was formed in 1495 by Emperor Maximilian I. The function of each Circle was primarily the administration of Imperial law and the maintenance of order, but the assemblies also served to assess local opinion and to direct regional efforts as circumstances dictated. She also had the right to a seat and vote in the College of Swabian Prelates in the Imperial Diet (Reichstag), which met in Regensburg.

 

1500-26 County Sheriff Sophie Pederdatter Høeg Banner of the County Jungshoved, Denmark

Sophie Høeg til Maribo Sankt Jørgensgård was widow of Ebbe Mogens Galt, who was killed during the war in the Ditmarsk (Ditmarskertoget). Mother of 3 surviving children, she (d. 1531-).

 

1500-39 County Sheriff Anne Corfitzdatter Rønnow of Risby Birk, Denmark

Anne Rønnow til Fårevejle was widow of Erik Hardenberg, who was killed during the war in the Ditmarsk (Ditmarskertoget).

 

Until 1500 County Sheriff Tale Arvidsdatter Baad of Majbølle Birk (The Denmark, new Sweden)

Tale Baad til Vasted in Halland held the tenantcy as security for lones to the king. She was widow of Laurits Follersen Knob til Gyllebo in Skåne. She lived (circa 1434-1500).

 

15.. Princess Regnant Nur Begum of Hunza (Pakistan)

The daughter of Girkis Han, she ruled for 12 years in the mountainous region the Northern Areas of Pakistan adjoining the Sinkiang Autonomous Region of China. Her family ruled the area of Hunz for more than 900 years and the Hunzakuts are believed to be the descendents of five wandering soldiers of Alexander the Great. They speak Brushuski, an aboriginal language. She was succeeded by her nephew Ayaso I.

 

15.. Queen Putri Pinang Masak of Djambi (Indonesia)

Succeeded by husband, Paduka Berhale, as ruler of the East Sumatran kingdom.

 

15.. Queen of Angoche (Moçambique)

Ascended the throne after the death of her brother and was succeeded by husband, Molidi. Today Angoche is a port-town in the Northern part of the country.

 

15… Regent Dowager Lady María de la O Muxica y Herrera of Fuerteventura (Spain)

Regent for Fernando de Saavedra who was lord at the island in the Canary Islands. She (d. before 1592).

 

15… Legendary Queen Salamasina of Samoa, Queen of the Upolu, Savai’i, and Tutuila Islands

As a child she had been made Tupu O Samoa and Tafaifa (supreme monarch of Samoa) and held all four Paramount Titles in the island. According the legend, she was kind, just, and skillful in leading her country, making great effort and sacrifice to ensure peace for all. During her 40 years reign, there were no wars and people prospered. She was daughter of Vaeitoefaga and Tamalelagi. Through her mother she was the granddaughter from the king Tu’i Tonga of Tonga and through her father she descended from the High Chiefs of Samoa and Fiji. The late Paramount Ruler of Samoa, His Royal Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II, was a direct descendant of her.

 

15…Princess Latutama, Tu’i Tonga Fefine, Tonga

Daughter of Momo, Tu’i Tonga and Nua, Ma’itaki, former wife of Ngongokilitoto, of Malapo, and daughter of Lo’au, by a woman from Ha’amea. As Tu’i Tonga Fefine she held higher rank than her father, her mother or her brothers. She was forbidden from marrying any Tongan mortal, and her eldest daughter was styled Tamaha, the highest dignity on earth, to whom both her mother and grandfather, paid homage.

 

15..Princess Fatafehi, Tu’i Tonga Fefine, Tonga

Daughter of Tu’itatu’i, Tu’i Tonga. She was probably in office towards the end of the century.

 

15… County Sheriff Else of the County of Næsby, Denmark

Widow of Christian Brun. Her successor, Hans Krafse, was in office until 1530.

 

1501-circa 10 Regent Dowager Grand Princess Agrippina Ivanovna Babicheva of Ryazan (Riazan) (Russia)

After the death of her mother-in-law, Anna she took over the government in the name of their son Ivan VI (1496-1500-16-34). In 1520 his cousin, Grand Prince Vasili III of Moscow invited him into Moscow and imprisoned him immediately after the arrival. In 1521 during the unrest caused by an invasion of the Crimean Khan Mehmed I Giray, Prince Ivan Ivanovich fled into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania where he received a small town of Stakliškės into lifetime possession, and Ryazan was finally annexed by Russia. She was widow of Ivan V of Riazanj (1467-83-1500).

 

1501-24 Sovereign Countess Anne de la Tour Auvergne of Auvergne and Boulogne and Baroness de la Tour (France)

Elder daughter and eventually heiress of Jean III and Jeanne de Bourbon-Vendôme. 1505 she was married to her first cousin John Stewart, 2nd Duke of

Albany, the intermittent heir presumptive to the throne of the Kingdom of Scotland, and its sometime Regent. As she did not have any children, the counties were inherited by her her infant niece, Caterina dei Medici of Urbino (born 1519), daughter of her late younger sister Madeleine and Lorenzo II, Duke of Urbino. She lived (circa 1495-1524).

 

1501-20 Sovereign Countess Jeanne d’Orléans of Bar-sur-Seine (France)

Daughter of Antoinette de Polignac and the king of France. She was legitimized by her marriage to Jean Aubin, Seigneur de Malicorne. Secondly married Jean de Longwy, Baron de Pagny.

 

1501-05 Princesse-Abbesse Jeanne II d’Anglure de Germainvilliers of Remiremont, Dame of Saint Pierre and Metz (France)

In the beginning of the 16th century discipline was lax and the nuns, without the pope’s consent, declared themselves canonesses. They did not take the

vows and admitted only novices who could give proof of noble descent. She was Dame de Germainvilliers, and lived (1474-1505).

 

 

1501-35 Reigning Abbess Katharina zu Stolberg of the Chapter of Drübeck (Germany)

Mentioned as canoness at Chapter of Rohrbach the age of 6, mentioned there as Mistress of Songs (Sangmesterin) in 1491. During the last years of her tenure, the reformation influenced the life in the chapter in many ways. King Otto III confirmed the right to choose the abbess in 995, giving it a special position similar to the Chapters of the Realm of Gandersheim and Quedlinburg, but the chapter died out during upheavals of the Reformation, Peasant Wars and the Thirty Year War. By the end of the 17th century the chapter building came in the possession of the Counts of Stolberg-Wernigerode, and 1732 they founded a Protestant Ladies Chapter (evangelisches Damenstift). She lived (1463-1535).

 

1502-04 Despina Jelena Jaksić of Serbia
1514-20 Regent Dowager Despina

After the death of her first husband was Jovan Brankovic, despot of Sebia in 1493–1502, she was named as “Helena, Serbiæ despotissa” in a charter. They had 5 daughters and the post of despot was inherited by her second husband was Ivanis Berislavic in 1504. After his death, she conducted the affairs of state in place of her minor son, Stjepan Berislavic (1514 – 35).

 

1502-06 Politically Active Queen Anna de Foix-Candale of Hungary and Bohemia

Active during the reign of her husband Władysław II Jagiellończyk, and after his death, she fought to secure the Hungarian and Bohemian crown for her son Ludwik. She lived (1484-1506).

 

After 1502-10 County Sheriff Margrethe Andersdatter Grubendal of Abildtorp Birk, Denmark

Margrethe Grubendal til Broholm was widow of Johan Fikkesen Fikkesen, County Sheriff (Lensmand) of Harritsborg. She later became Mistress of the convent of Skt. Jørgens Møn

 

1503-30 Queen Putri Kalunggu of Banja (Indonesia)

Succeeded Pangeran Gangga who reigned for 45 years (1460-1505). The head of the government was however Patih Mangkubumi Lambung Mangkurat. The Hindu kingdom was situated in today’s South Kalimantan.

 

Until 1503 Cacica Anacaona of the Maguana in Hispaniola (Haiti/Dominican Republic)

Sister of the chief Boechio Anacauchoa, king of Xaragua or Jaragua, and married to King Caonabo, king. When her husband was taken prisoner, sent to

Spain and died in a sea voyage, she inherited the tribe of the Maguana. She displayed confidence to maintain unity in the kingdom, fought to maintain peace and depose belligerence relating to the Christians. But but the Spaniards took their abnegation, their nobility and tolerance as a weakness and gratified their cruelty with unusual conniving, destroying their traditions, and they massacred her soldiers. The survivors fled from the tragic inferno. The small Taino prince, Guarocuya, was saved by the tribal leader Tamayo and was delivered by el “Padre de las Casas”(a priest) to the Franciscans (catholic monks) of the Verapaz. Higuemota, (Ana de Guevara) daughter of Anacaona, Mencia, Anacaona’s granddaughter tribal leader Hatuey and tribal leader Guarocuya escaped from the tragedy. Queen Anacaona was accused of being a traitor. In September of 1503, she was hanged in the province of Xaragua.

 

1503-18 Regent Dowager Duchess Anna Radziwiłłówna of Mazowsze (Poland)

After the death of her husband, Konrad III Rudy of the Masovian Piast Dynasty in 1497, Anna Radziwillowna was regent for her sons

Stanisław and Janusz III. Her daughter was Anna, who ruled in Mazowsze-Bełz in 1526-29. Daughter of the Lithuanian nobles Mikalojus Radziwiłł the Old and Zofia Maria Monwind, and lived (1475-1522).

 

1503-04 Hereditary Duchess Elisabeth of Bayern-Landshut (Lower Bavaria in Germany)

As the daughter of Georg der Reiche of Bavaria-Landshut, she and her two sons with Pfalzgraf Ruprecht were heirs, but Duke Albrecht of Bavaria-München opposed their rights and it resulted in a succession war. Both she and her husband died in 1504 and the result was the reunion of the territory with Upper Bavaria. But her two sons became Princes of Pfalz-Neuburg. Elisabeth lived (1430-1504).

 

1503-05 and 1529-43 Sovereign Countess Jeanne de Hochberg of Neuchatel, Marquise de Rothelin (Rötteln (Switzerland)

Successor of her father, Philippe von Baden-Hachberg-Sausenberg, Margrave of Badenweiler, Neuenburg and Rotelin, and was married to Louis d’Orleans-Longueville (d. 1516). She was first deposed by the French but was later reinstated, and introduced reformism in her lands in the 1530s. Both her and her husband’s lands were inherited by their sons. She lived (1480-1543).
Suzane de Bourbon

 

1503-22 Sovereign Duchess Suzane de Bourbon of Bourbon, Bourbonnais, Auvergne and La Dombes (France)

Daughter of Pierre III de Bourbon de Beajeau and the former regent of France, Anne de France, Vicomtesse de Thouars, who was initially regent in Bourbon. Suzane was married to Charles III de Bourbon-Montpensier, Duke of Bourbonnais, who claimed the inheritance after her death. This was disputed by her first cousin, Louise de Savoie, mother of king François I. Charles entered the service of Emperor Karl V and was declared guilty of leze-majesty, his feudal possessions forfeited to the crown and his personal estate confiscated, but through the intervention of the emperor he was later given his possessions back. She lived (1491-1522).

 

 

1503–circa 21 De-Facto Ruler Costanza d’Avalos of the Island Ischia, Duchess of Francavilla and Lady di Pomanico, (Italy)

In 1483 her husband, the governor of the island, Prince Federico del Balzo of Taranto, died. She had her brother, Inìgo d’Avalos, named

governor and governed jointly with him. After her brother’s death in 1503, she defended the island against the French, restoring it to the Aragonian owerlordship. She continued to rule together with her nephew, Francesco Ferrante, who married the famous poet, Vittoria Colonna, in 1509 and later also together with Alfonso d’Avalos and Costanza junior, and during her reign the Island became a famous cultural centre. She was (b. 1460).

 

1503-circa 1531 Joint County Sheriff Mette Joachimsdatter Hardenberg of the County of Kylderup, Denmark
Around 1506 County Sheriff of the County of the Shires of Saling and Sund
1520-circa 28 County Sheriff of the County of the Shire of Salling

Mette Hardenberg was first appointed jointly with her husband, Markvard Rønnov til Hvidkilde (d. 1506) . After some years she lost first Sunds and later also Salling, but later she recovered the latter tenancy together with her son, Eiler Rønnov after a few years, who had the right to Kylderup Len confirmed for himself and his wife, Anne Krabbe in 1531. (d. circa 1550).

 

1504-55 Queen Juana I of Castilla, Des Asturias and Galicia
1516-55 By the Grace of God, Queen of Castilla, Aragon, Leon, Sicily, Grenada, Toledo, Valencia, Galicia, Majorca, Seville, Sardinia, Cordova, Corsica, Murcia, Jaen, the Algarve, Algeciras, Gibraltar, the Canary Islands, the Indias, the Islands and Mainland of the Ocean Sea, Countess of Barcelona, Roussillon and Cerdagne, Lady of Biscay and Molina, Duchess of Athens and Neopatria, Margravine of Oristano and Gocian (Spain)

Succeeded her mother, Isabel I in 1505 and father Fernando in 1516. Her father had nominated her as heir of all his possession with her son as regent, because of her mental instability, which is why she is known as Juana la Loca. Her husband Felipe I was king and regent 1504-06 and her son, Carlos I (and V of the Holy Roman Empire) became king in 1516. Juana lived (1479-1555).

 

1504-31 Sovereign Princess Hdwig of Münsterberg, Duchess of Sagan (Żagań-Ziębice) (Then Germany now Poland)

Inherited the territories from her fahter, Duke Karl of Münsterberg, and was married to Margrave Georg the Pious of Brandenburg-

Ansbach in 1525 who then became joint ruler. He had inherited some lands from his first wife, Beatrix Frankopani (see 1504) and inherited Oppeln and Ratibor from a relative and later bought Jägerndorf – all duchies in Schlesia that is now a part of Poland. Hedwig was mother of two daughters, and lived (1477-1531).

 

1504-10 Sovereign Lady Beatrice Frangepan of Gyula and Hunyad etc. (Hungary), Wraschin Krapina, Medved, Rokonok, Lukavec, Urbovec, Seni, Novigrad etc. (Croatia) and possessions in Austria and Slovonia

Also known as Beatrix Frangepani, Frangepán Beatrix or Beatrica Frankopan, she was heiress of vast lands in Croatia she also inherited the lands of her first husband, Duke Johannes Corvinicus, the son of King Matthias of Hungary. In 1509 she married Margrave Georg the Pious of Brandenburg-Ansbach with the stipulation that she was to remain in charge of her own lands and did not have to move to Germany. She probably died in childbed, and her husband inherited some of her lands. She lived (1480-1510).

 

 

1504-42 Sovereign Countess Catherine de Sarrebruck of Roucy (France)

Succeeded her father, Robert IV de Sarrebruck, and married to Antoine de Roye (d. 1515) and was succeeded by her son Charles de Roye.

 

1504-26 Regent Dowager Margravine Margherita di Foix of Saluzzo, and the County of Carmagnola (Italy)

Also known as Marguerite de Foix, she too over the reins after the death of her husband, Ludovico II del Vasto of Saluzzo, Count of Carmagnola from 1475

and Margrave of Saluzzo 1475-87) and (1490-1504), pretender of the Monferrato Margravate (through his mother Isabella del Montferrato (1427-75)) and Viceroy of Napoli 1503, in the name of her son Michele Antonio I (1495-1504-28). He was succeeded by his brother Gian Ludovico I, Abbot in Casanova del Villar San Costanzo, who was deposed the following year and was succeeded another brother Francesco Ludovico I, who was murdered in 1537 and succeeded by the fourth brother, Gian Gabriele I, Bishop of Aire, who renounced his ecclesiastic career and was deposed in 1548. Originally named Marguerite de Foix, she was daughter of Jean de Foix, Count de Benauges, who was created Earl of Kendal for services to England, but relinquished the title on opting for French nationality, and Margaret Kerdeston, Duchess of Suffolk. (d. 1536).

 

1504-18 Reigning Lady Elisabeth van Culemborg of Hoogstraten, Culemborg, Minderhout and Rijkevorsel, estates in Meer, Meerle, Meersel, Brussel and Mechelen (The Netherlands and Belgium)

Succeeded her father, Jasper van Culemborg (ca.1445-1504), Lord of Culemborg, Lienden, Honswijk, Ewijk, Goilberdingen and Hoogstraten, Governor of Leerdam and confidante of Emperor Maximilian of Austria. She extremely rich and married to Antoon I van Lalaing (1480-1540), to whom granted many of her possessions and who was made Count of Hoogrraten in 1518 and in 1530 Deputy landvoogd of the Netherlands. They were succeeded by her husband’s nephew, Floris van Pallandt, son of Everhard van Pallandt and Margaretha van Lalaing. She lived (1575-1555).

 

 

1504-12 Politically Influential Mette Iversdatter Dyre in Sweden
1515-circa 27 County Sheriff of the County of Hørby, Denmark

Mette Dyre, or Mätta Ivarsdotter in Sweden, was very influential during the regency of her third husband, Svante Nilsson Sture, who was Regent of Sweden for King Hans of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. She was Svante’s assistant and advisor, and an influential power in the national counsel. In important questions the great men rather went to her than to her husband. In 1507 she defended Stockholm Castle and in 1510 she was his representative in Finland. After her husband’s death in 1512 she was in dispute with her stepson, Sten Sture the Younger, about some of her dowry. In 1515 King Christian 2. Appointed Sheriff (Lensmand) of the Bishopal Fief of Hørby near Holbæk and as Chancellor of the Convent of Saint Agnete in Roskilde. Her first two husbands were the Norwegian Councillors of the Realm, Anders van Bergen (d. 1491) and Knut Alvsson (d. 1502). She lived (circa 1460-ca.1527).

 

 

1504-32 Princess-Abbess Elisabeth von Reuss zu Weida of Gernrode and Frose (Germany)

Canoness at Quedlinburg when the designated as successor to Scholastika von Anhalt, Margarethe von Warberg, refused to take up the position because of the ongoing process against the Bishop of Halberstadt caused by a dam that had flodded big parts of the territory’s lands. Elisabeth used funds of her own to reach a settlement which compensated financially, but the daughter-convent of Frose had to be abandoned as it’s lands was under water. In 1519 she send her preacher, Stephan Molitor to Worms, where he heard Martin Luther, in 1521 she introduced the Evangelical service and in 1523 she participated in the Reichstag von Worm, which laid the foundation of Protestant movement and she became the first Abbess of a Chapter of the Realm to join protestant faith. 1525 the inhabitants of the Stift revolted against her plans to raise taxes and revenues, but she prevailed. She was daughter of Heinrich XX zu Reuss von Weida and Agnes Schenkin von Landaberg. (d. 1532).

 

 

1504-20 Princess-Abbess Verena vom Feld of Baindt (Germany)

Many members of her family held high ecclesiastical office throughout the years.

 

1504-31 Princess-Abbess Gertrud von Regenstein und Blankenberg of Gandersheim (Germany)

Her election was confirmed by the Pope with the provision that she had to pay a yearly pension to the “contra-abbess” Katharina von Hohenstein, but she did not fulfil this part of her obligation. Three other women claimed the office during her reign. The ducal castle was expanded in 1528 and neighbouring hoses torn down to get a free shot at the chapter.

 

1504-36 “Contra-Abbess” Katharina von Hohnstein of Gandersheim (Germany)

In 1506 a compromise was reached with Gertrud von Regenstein-Blankenberg and she was named Dechaness and got a pension for life for resigning the post to which she had been elected at the same time as Gertrud. But as she did not get her pension the dispute continued. But in 1518 Duke Heinrich zu Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel forced a compromise between the two competitors for the office.

 

1504-54/57 Abbess Nullius Beatrice Acquaviva d’Aragona bof the Royal Convent of Saint Benedetto in Conversano, Temporal and Secular Ruler of Conversano (Italy)

Daughter of Andrea Matteo III and his first wife, Isabella Piccolomini Todeschini. Her father was 8th Duke d Atri, Count di San Flaviano, Lord di Forcella, Sant’Omero, Torre di Tronto, Poggio Morello, Cordesca, Castelvecchio, etc. Duke di Teramo and Martina from 1481, until they were confiscated in 1496. The same year he became 15th Count di Conversano in succession to his mother Caterina Orsini del Balzo natural daughter of Giovanni Antonio Orsini, Principe di Taranto, who succeeded to the titles of Contessa di Conversano, Signora di Casamassima, Turi, Casamassima, Bitetto, Gioa, Turi e Noci in 1456, which was confirmed in 1462. Beatrice was “Badessa del monastero di Santa Maria dell’Isola a Conversano”.

 

1505-18 Regent Dowager Lady Mechteld van den Bergh of Bronckhorst and Borculo (The Netherlands)

After the death of her husband, Frederik van Bronckhorst en Borculo, she was regent for their son, Count Joost van Bronckhorst-Borculo, who married Maria van Hoya, but died without issue in 1553 leaving the possessions to his niece Ermgard van Wisch.

 

1505-07 Princess-Abbess Agnes II de Dammartin of Remiremont (France)

At the time discipline in the chapter was lax and the nuns, without the pope’s consent, declared themselves canonesses. They did not take the vows and admitted only novices who could give proof of noble descent.

 

1505-16 Reigning Abbess Walburga Buck of Gutenzell (Germany)

The Chapter was founded 1230 as a free worldly chapter for noble ladies.

 

1505-before 1557 Reigning Abbess Anna von Rotenstein zum Falken of Wald, Lady of the Offices of Wald, Vernhof and Ennigerloh (Germany)

Reformed the territory’s court system in 1533. The stewardship and Higher Jurisdiction of the vast territory was taken over by the Hohenzollern family in 1535 an Hohenzollern.

 

1506-14 Princess-Abbess Veronika von Radmannsdorf of Göss bei Leoben (Austria)

Member of a noble family from Steiermark.

 

1507-15 and 1518-30 General-Stadholder Margareta von Habsburg of the Netherlands

First appointed regent by her father, Emperor Maximilian and acted as intermediary between him and his subjects in the Netherlands, negotiated a treaty of commerce with England favourable to the Flemish cloth interests, and played a role in the formation of the League of Cambrai (1508). Her nephew, Karl V, removed her from office but soon recognized her as one of his wisest advisers, and she was again governor of the Netherlands. In 1529, together with Louise of Savoy, she negotiated the Treaty of Cambrai, the so-called Ladies’ Peace. Her mother was Duchess Marie of Bourgogne. Divorced from her first husband King Charles VIII of France, her second husband, Juan, the Crown Prince of Aragón and Castilla, died shortly after their marriage in 1497. In 1501 she married Duke Philiberto II of Savoie, who died three years later. She was also Countess of Artois, Bourgogne (Franche-Comté), Mâcon, Auxerre and Charolais, and Dame de Salins from 1493 as Marguerite III. She had no children, and lived (1480-1530).

 

1507-16 Regent Dowager Empress Eleni of Ethiopia

Born as Jan-zela, she was one of the widows of Emperor Baeda Maryam I (1468-78), and was politically influential during the reign of

her son, Naod I (1494-1507), and then became regent for grandson Lebna Dengel (also known as Wanag Sagad or Dawit II). (1994-1507-16). She was author of two works on theology and remained politically influential to her death in 1522.

 

1507-16 Junior Regent Dowager Empress Noad Mogassa of Ethiopia

After the death of her husband, Naod I, she was junior regent for son Lebna Dengel jointly with mother-in-law. She was the sister of Dori, the Bahr Negus – Ruler of Eritrea. (D. after 1527).

 

1507-? Iyoba Idia of Uselu in Benin (Nigeria)

Appointed to the position of Queen Mother by her son. Oba Ensigie (1504-50), after she helped pressing the attacking Igala back across the Niger River. Since then the Queen Mother was one of Benin’s most powerful women. As a senior town chief she was a voice in palace affairs and rules at her own court. Though she is forbidden to see her son once he is crowned king, the Queen Mother is expected to support him spiritually. She lived in her own palace outside the capital. She did not appear in public and did not have an official role in the political system, but she was always “consulted” by important political decisions, and her vote was necessary in the political decision process. As widow of the former king and mother of the present, she was given semi-male status. She had a “wife” with the title of Amoda, she was surrounded by Amada, naked young men and has a whole court of officeholders.

 

 

1507-53 Sovereign Duchess Luisa Borgia of Valentinos, Countess of Diois, Dame of La Mothe-Feuilly, Vaires and Neves (France)
1514-53 Dame de Chalus
1535-53 Duchess of Borgia (Navarra)

Also known as Louise, she was daughter of Cesare Borgia and in 1517, she married Louis II de La Trémoille, Vicomte de Thouars, (1476-1525) who fell in battle. Five years later she married Philippe de Bourbon-Busset, Seigneur de Chabannes and Busset (1499-1557), with whom she had 6 children. She lived (1500-53).

 

1507-14 (†) Guardian Dowager Duchess Charlotte d’Albret of Valentinos (France)

After the death of her husband, Cesare Borgia, she was regent for her only child, Luisa Borgia. Charlotte was daughter of Alain d’Albret, Count de Gavre, de Périgord et de Castres and Françoise de Blois dit de Bretagne, Countess de Perigord. Her brother Jean married Catherine de Foix, Queen of Navarra and was king there (1483-1516). She was Dame de Chalus in her own right, and lived (1500-53).

 

 

1507-20 Princesse-Abbesse Alix de Choiseul of Remiremont (France)

Also known as Aleidis, she resigned in favour of Madeleine de Choiseul shortly before her own death.

 

1507-18 and 1523-35 County Sheriff Anne Henriksdatter Meinstrup of the County of Højstrup, Denmark

Anne Meinstrup was also known as Anne Holgers, and was first married to Holger Eriksen Rosenkrantz til Boller and secondly to Jørgen von Ahlefeldt tilSøgård, who was killed in battle in 1500. After this period she took care of herself and her own possessions, inherited from her parents. In 1507 she took over the fief of Højstrup as security (becoming Lensmand or County Sheriff) for a major lone she had given to King Hans. Around 1516 she was appointed Hofmesterinde (Mistress of the Court) of Queen Elisabeth von Habsburg. From the following year until 1522 she stayed in Northern Germany because she had criticized the relationship of King Christian 2 to his mistress Dyveke. After Christian fled the country, she returned and was re-appointed both Hofmesterinde and Lensmand. During the civil war, Grevens Fejde (The Count’s Feud), she supported Count Christoffer, while her son, Holger Holgersen Rosenkrantz, supported the later Christian 3., but was killed in battle in 1534. Some months later Count Christoffer had called for a meeting at the “Assembly in Ringsted”, and here she was killed by peasant-soldiers. She lived (circa 1475-1535).

 

1508-37 Sovereign Princess Adriana Crispo of Therasia, Nio and Ios (Greek Island-State)
1528-37 Princess Regnant of Antiparos

Succeeded her parents, Marco II and III of Ios and Santhorini and Lucretia Loredani, and co-ruled with her husband, Alessandro Pisani of Anaphi and Antiparos. Eventually succeeded her grandmother, Lucrezia Loredano (1446-1528) in Antiparos, which was conquered by the Osman Turks in 1537.

 

 

Until circa 1508 Arumpone We Tenri Gau Daeng Marowa Aru Majang (Makalappi) of Bone (Indonesia)

Successor of her father, La Saliwu Karampeluwe Pasodowakkae, and was followed by son La Tenri Sukki Mapajunge who ruled circa 1508-1535).

 

1508-10 and 1516-25 Regent Margravine Isabella d’Este of Mantova (Italy)

Before 1508 she reigned when her husband, Federico I Gonzaga, was away from the state, and since then she was regent during his captivity, afterwards during his illness and finally for son, Federico II Gonzaga, who was away from the state. She was very well educated. She was able to speak Greek and Latin as well as play the lute, sing, dance and debate. As regent she founded a school for young women where they had to observe a strict code of morals. She was a patron of the Arts and she also set artistic fashions and standards. She also wrote over two thousand letters in which she commented on everything from politics to war. Mother of 5 sons and 4 daughters, and lived (1474-1539).

 

1508-16 Regent Dowager Duchess Elisabetta Gonzaga of Urbino (Italy)

After the death of her husband, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro, she was regent for their adopted child, Francesco Maria I della Rovere, the

son of his sister. He was sickly and impotent, and they had no children, but she refused to divorce him and nursed him through his illnesses. 1502 Cesare Borgia occupied Urbino, and they went into exile until 1504.. Her court attracted writers, artists, and scholars, and she was involved in the power politics of her time. She in close contact with her siter-in-law of Isabella d’Este. In 1506 she reluctantly went with Lucrezia Borgia to Ferrara, where Lucrezia was married to Alfonso I d’Este. In June 1516 she was expelled from Urbino by Pope Leo X, who wanted to give the duchy to his nephew, Lorenzo de Medici. Together with her niece Leonora she found refuge in Ferrara where she died in Ferrara. The daughter of Federico I Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua and Magaret of Bavaria, she lived (1471-1526).

 

1508-10 Regent Dowager Duchess Kunigunde von Habsburg of Bavaria-Munich (Germany)

Married Albrecht IV of Bayern-München (1467-1508) against the will of her own father, Emperor Friedrich III, and when he died she became joint regent for son Wilhelm IV (1493-1508-50). She later joined the Convent of Pütrich, which she favoured. In spite of the resignation from the court she tried to influence the politics of the state as she acted in favour of the rights of her younger sons. She was in close contact with her brother, Emperor Maximilian I von Habsburg, and with other rulers and relatives in Europe. She was a political player in her own right and not only an “instrument” of her family, and lived (1465-1520).

 

1508-09 and 1514-18 Regent Dowager Langravine Anna von Mecklenburg-Schwerin of Hessen (Germany)
1510-25 Reigning Dowager Lady of Geissen, Grünberg, Borken, Felsberg, Wildeck and Rotenburg (from 1511)

Took over the regency for her husband, Wilhelm II, who was unable to govern because of syphilis, but after his death she was removed,

as regent by the Estates in spite of his will, which named her guardian and regent. The Estates named their own regents, on the pretext that she was below the age of 25, but the real reason was the fight for power among the different groups in the society. She continued her fight to become regent for Philipp (1504-25) and spoke her case before the Estates; in 1510 she claimed her right to a seat and vote at the Diet of the Realm as the rightful guardian. The emperor sympathised with her, but did not back her, but she also presented her case at his court. Later that year she withdrew to her dowry, but because of internal disputes in the regency college she managed to be named regent. She called and chaired a Local Diet (Landtag) and an agreement was made. She named her own regency government and promised to report to the Estates once a year, but reigned independently. In 1518 she had emperor Maximilian I declare her 13 year old son of age, but the nobility continued the fight for power until it was finally defeated in 1523. She was daughter of Magnus II von Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Sophie von Pommern, also mother of a daughter, and lived (1485-1525).

 

1508-34 Princess-Abbess Anna IV von Falkenstein of Säckingen (Germany)

Took over after after the resignation of her half-sister, Elisabeth III. She had originally been a canoness in Buchau, where she took part in the election of Barbara von Gundelfingen as Abbess in 1497. Emperor Karl V invited her to the Diet of the Realm, the Reichstag in Worm in 1520 and confirmed the privileges of the chapter the same year. Fought against all Protestant ideas and remained within the chapter when the citizen of Säckingen and Laufenburg who occupied it and attempted to take over the administration during the peasent’s war. The Parish of Hornussen and the churches of Zuzgen, Sulz and Rheinsultz were all incorporated in the chapter during her reign. She was daugter of Thomas von Falkenstin und his second wife Amalia von Winsberg, and her family originated from Solothurn in Switzerland and Breisgau.

 

1509-15 Princess-Abbess Anna II Kobold of Heggbach (Germany)

Perhaps also known as Kobodin, she was born as daughter of a citizen of Ulm.

 

1509-12 Princess-Abbess Anna von der Borch of Kaufingen (Germany)

Called together with other nuns from Gehrden to introduce more sombre rules in Kaufingen. 1521 the Abbess of the Ritterschaftliche Stift Kaufingen in Hessen was mentioned as Imperial Prelate in an inventory of the Reichsstände. The chapter was abolished 1527/32 and incorporated into Hessen-Kassel. She was grand-daughter of Arnd von der Borch and Beate von Dreer, Heiress of Langendreer. (d. 1512).

 

1510-52 Governor Sayyida al-Hurra of Tetouán (Morocco)

Also known as Sayida Al Horra Bent Ali Ar Rachid, she was first confirmed as prefect and then appointed governor of the city state of Tetouán (“Hakima Tatwan”). She was the undisputed leader of the pirates in the western Mediterranean, and in 1520 captured the Governors wife and caused great damage to the Portuguese colonial shipping. She was married to Sultan Al-Mandri and after his death she married Ahmad al-Wattasi, who reigned (1524-49). After her first husband’s death, she gained the title al-hurra (Sovereign Lady). She was member of the Andalusian noble family, Banu Rashid, who immigrated to Morocco after the Christian conquest of Muslim Spain. She was deposed in 1552.

 

1511 (†) Regent Dowager Princess Elena Salviati of Elba and Piombino (Italy)

Widow of Iacopo IV, who had regained control of the territory after it had been occupied by Cesare Borgia, she acted as regent for her son Iacopo V, but died shortly after taking office. The position of regent was taken over by another relative.

 

1511-39 Sovereign Duchess Maria of Jülich-Berg-Ravensberg-Heinsberg (Germany)

Succeeded her father, Wilhelm IV. She married Johann III von Marck-Kleve and their duchies were united. She was a very devout catholic and was sceptic towards the liberal reforms of both her father and husband. One of her daughters, Anne of Kleve, married Henry the VIII of England. Maria lived (1491-1543).

 

 

1511-54 Reigning Dowager Lady Sybilla von Brandenburg of Bensberg in Jülich-Berg (Germany)

Widow of Duke Wilhelm III von Jülich and Berg (1475-1511), who had one daughter, Marie von Jülich und Berg (1491-1543), by his first wife, who married Johan III von Kleves (1490-1539). Sibylla did not have any children, and lived (1490-1524)

 

1511-15 Princess-Abbess Magdalena von Anhalt of Quedlinburg (Germany)

She was daughter of Fürst Albrecht IV and Countess Elisabeth von Mansfeld. She probably resigned and died later the same year.

 

1511-13 Reigning Abbess Emerita Lutschern of Königsfelden (Switzerland)

The Chapter acquired many possessions in Argau, Swabia and Alsace, but did apparently not have the dignity of Princess of the Empire (Reichsfürstin).

 

1511-.. County Sheriff Karen Nielsdatter Grubbe of the County of Snedinge, Denmark

Karen Grubbe was daughter of Niels Gruppe, who was appointed County Sheriff of the Bishop of Roskilde in 1500. (Bispelensmand). She was widow of Søren Daa, and apparently she bought the tenantcy from the bishop.

 

1512-16 Sovereign Duchess Germaine de Foix of Nemours, Countess of Foix-Béarn (France)
1526-37 Vice-Reine and Lieutenant General of Valencia (Spain)

Known in Spain as Germana, she was the daughter of Count Jean de Foix, d’Étampes and Vicomte de Narbonne and Marie d’Orléans, she succeeded her

brother, Gaston. She was married to Fernando II the Catholic of Aragón as his second wife after the death of Queen Isabel I. They engaged in a power struggle over her lands until his death in 1516. Three years later she married Johan von Brandenburg-Ansbach (d. 1525), and one year after his death she married Fernando d’Aragon, Duca di Calabria (d. 1550) and they were appointed Virreina and Virrey of Valencia. She did not have any children, and lived (1490-1537).

 

1512-14 Regent Dowager Countess Katharina von Schwarzburg-Blankenburg of Hanau-Lichtenberg (Germany)

After the death of her husband, she was regent for her 11 year old son, Philipp II, together with his grand-uncle, Johann V von Nassau

-Dillenburg, who was sole regent until his own death 2 years later and then other relatives took over the government. She had secured the support of the nobility of the county and had it confirmed by the Court of the Empire (Reichskammergericht). She lived (after 1470-1514).

 

1512-15 Sovereign Duchess Françoise of Longueville, Countess of Montgomery and Tancarville (France)

Natural daughter of king François II of France, and married to the Viscount de Melun, who died 1512.

 

1513-14 Regent Dowager Queen Margaret Tudor of Scotland (United Kingdom of Great Britain)

After her husband, James IV of Scotland, was killed, she became regent for her infant son, James V, but her marriage in 1514 to Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus, led to the loss of the regency to John Stuart, duke of Albany, who soon obtained custody of the king. She fled to England, but returned in 1517, during James Stuart’s absence, and shortly thereafter she became estranged from her husband. Her son was proclaimed king in 1524 and was for several years virtually a prisoner of her husband. In 1527 she obtained a divorce and soon married Henry Stuart, later Lord Methven. The following year her son escaped from her ex-husband and joined her and her new husband, and they were for a time his chief advisers. A plan of of hers for a meeting between her brother Henry VIII of England and her son led James to accuse her of betrayal in 1534. They were further estranged by James’s refusal to allow her to divorce her third husband. For long periods Heiress Presumptive to the English throne, and lived (1489–1541).

 

1513 Governor of the Realm and Captain General of the King’s Forces Queen Catherine of Aragón of England, Wales and Ireland (United Kingdom)

Following the death of her first husband, Prince Arthur of England, she married his brother Henry VIII. When he went to France on warfare she was appointed regent. She had authority to raise troops and to make appointments, and was provided with a council headed by Archbishop Warham, the lord chancellor. And she led the English troops against the invading Scots at the Battle of Flodden (in Northumberland) and, afterwards, sent over to her husband, in Flanders, a grim reminder of her achievements there: the blood-stained tunic of dead James IV of Scots. In 1520, however, the she went to France alongside Henry and was present at the great meeting of the ‘Field of the Cloth of Gold’. Of her four children only the later Queen Mary I survived. In 1533 Henry divorced her and broke with the Catholic church, she was deprived of her titles as Queen of England and was forced to revert to ‘Princess Dowager of Wales’. She was kept in confinement but never remained long in one place, for she enjoyed great popularity throughout a Country and there were fears of an uprising in her favour. She was daughter of Queen Isabel I of Castilla and Ferdinand of Aragón and initially heir to her father, but her sister, Juana La Loca, inherited both Countries. Catherine lived (1485-1536).

 

 

1513-29 Joint Ruler Queen Burecca of The Maldive Islands

Also known as Buraki Rani, she was educated in the martial arts and out-shone her younger brother and sister. She had expected to succeed her grandfather to the throne. However several years after Siri Bavana Sooja died, it was her brother who came to the throne as King Siri Ananda Sultan Ali V (1512 -13) after several other reigns in between. She quarrelled with her brother, fled the Maldives, and travelled east to the Kingdom of Aceh (known to the Maldivians as Asey Cara) on the island of Sumatra. There she completed her education and perfected her martial arts before returning home to depose her brother. Her fleet entered Malé harbour in the dead of night. She fought a duel with her brother on the square inside the royal palace complex, several hours before dawn that morning. She slew her brother and ascended the throne to rule jointly with her husband King Siri Dhammaru Bavana (Sultan Mohamed the Black). It was his third accession to the throne. In spite of her ambitions, and unlike several other women who occupied the throne, she did not take the title of Rehendi or Sultana. Instead she took the title of Ranin or Queen Consort.

 

 

1513-50 County Sheriff Else Pederdatter Thott of the County of the Shire of Sund, Denmark
1521-47 County Sheriff of the County of the Shires of Nørvang and Hønborg with the Shire of Elbo
1521-25 Acting County Sheriff of Vester Herred
Until 1550 County Sheriff of Krarup and Rynkeby

Else Thott til Alnarp was first married to Claus Krummedige and secondly to Thomas Nilsson (Lange), and was granted Krarup and Rynkeby for life. Her son, Karl Lange, paid it off after her death and kept it for life. She (d. 1550).

 

Until 1513 Princess-Abbess Elisabeth zu Dhaun-Kyburg of Elten (Germany)

Daughter of Johann IV, Wild- und Rheingraf zu Dhaun und Kyrburg and Elisabeth von Hanau.

 

Until 1513/14 Cacica Loíza Aldea near the Cayniabón River (Puerto Rico)

Also known as Yuisa, she was a Taino cacica (female chief) when the Spanish Conquistadores invaded Puerto Rico and enslaved the Taino Indians, who

lived in the islands of the Carribean. They never adapted to slavery and most of the Taino men were killed. Many of the women lived on as wives of the spanish sailors. She entered a relastionship with the mulatto conquistador Pedro Mejias, possibly to protect her people, but some felt she was a traitor and she was killed (1513/14). About 100 years later the small town that grew up in the area was named Loíza Aldea.

 

1514-15 (or 1515-20) Acting Governor Maria Alvarez de Toledo y Rojas of Hispaniola/Las Isla Espanola (Dominican Republic and Haïti), Acting Vicereine of las Indias Occidentales (West Indies)

Her husband, Diogo Colón, 1. Duke of Veragua, was Vice-roy 1509-14 and 1520-23, and she also held the title of Vicereine of the West Indies. She was stand-in for her husband when he was in Spain 1515-20, and remained in close contact with the Queen of Spain, Isabel de Portugal, and her husband Emperor Charles V (1516-56). She was daughter of Fernando Alvarez de Toledo, 1st Lord de Villora and Maria de Rojas, and mother of 5 children. Her youngest, Isabel Colón, was married to don Jorge de Portugal, Count de Gelves y Mayor de los alcázares de Sevilla. Maria lived (circa 1490-1549).

 

1514-23 Princess-Abbess Margaretha III von Mindorf of Göss bei Leoben (Austria)

Member of a noble family from Steiermark. During her reign the new gothic church was finished.

 

1514-24 Sovereign Duchess Claude de France of Bretagne, Countess d’Étampes
1514-17 Sovereign Duchess of Berry (France)

Eldest daughter of King Louis XII of France and successor of her mother Anne as Duchess of Brittany. The same year she married her cousin, who because of the French salic law succeeded her father as king François I. In 1532 the personal union of France with Brittany was made definitive. Their oldest son became duke and was succeeded by his brother, François in 1536. Her life was spent in an endless round of annual pregnancies. Her husband had many mistresses but was usually relatively discreet. She imposed a strict moral code on her household, which only a few like her lady-in-waiting Mary Boleyn chose to flout. Another lady-in-waiting was Anne Boleyn, who later married Henry VIII of England. Claude was short in stature and afflicted with scoliosis that gave her a small hunched back. She was mother of 7 children, among other King Henri III, Duchess Marguerite de Valois de Berry, and Queen Madeleine of Scotland, and lived (1499-1524).

 

1515-75 Sovereign Duchess Renée de France of Chartres, Countess of Gisoirs et de Montargis (France)

Also known as Renata di Francia. Her mother, Duchess Anne of Bretagne, who had always fought fiercely to keep the state independent of the French

crown, tried to will the duchy to Renée, but her father King Louis XII ignored this and instead granted Brittany to his successor, the husband of her sister, Francis I, King of France. In return for renouncing her claims to the duchy of Brittany, she was granted the duchy of Chartres. She was married in 1528 to Ercole II d’Este, Duke of Ferrara who ruled 1534-59. After his death she returned to France because she was on bad terms with her son Alfonso II and settled in Montargis. She was mother of 4 children, and lived (1510-74).

 

1515-50 Sovereign Princess Isabelle-Louise de Bourbon of Carency (France)

Her brother, Betrand died in 1515 as the last male of the line. The following year she married François de Perusse d’Escars, Seigneur de La Vauguyon. Their son Jean de Perusse d’Escars (d. 1595), knight of the Saint-Esprit in 1578, made comte de La Vauguyon in 1586, continued the use the title Prince de Carency.

 

1515-24 Joint Sovereign Duchess Filiberta di Savoia of Nemours (France)

Also known as Philiberte de Savoie, and her husband, Giuliano de Medici (circa 1478-1516), had been created joint holders of the duchy. Her brother,

Philippe, Comte de Geneve, was given the duchy in 1516. She was daughter of Claude de Brosse and Duke Philippe I de Savoie, and lived (1498-1524).

 

1515-19 De-facto Governor Alfonsina Orsini of The Republic of Firenze (Italy)

As mother of the de facto ruler of Florence, Lorenzo II de’ Medici, she was able to govern during his absence. She was involved in the strategic planning of Florence’s war with the French and the plans for making a treaty as well as her oversight of Pope Leo’s entry into Florence in November 1515. She was the daughter of Roberto Orsini, Conte Tagliacozzo and Catherine San Severino and married to Piero “il Unfortunato” de’ Medici, who lived 1503. Apart from Lorenzo, she was mother of Clarissa de’ Medici, and lived (1472-1520).

 

 

1515-26 Princess-Abbess Barbara I Ellenbog of Heggbach (Germany)

In 1525 Heggbach was raided by the peasant’s war (Bauernkrieg) that covered parts of Germany at the time. A daughter of a citizen of Augsburg, she entered the chapter in 1487 and some of her brothers were also clerics.

 

1515-74 Princess-Abbess Anna II zu Stolberg-Weiningsrode of Quedlinburg (Germany)

Elected to the office when she was scarcely 13 years old, she introduced Lutheranism in all the houses under her jurisdiction. The choir service in the abbey church was abandoned, and the Catholic religion wholly abrogated. The monastic offices were reduced to four, but the ancient official titles retained. Thereafter the institution continued as a Lutheran sisterhood till the secularization of the abbey in 1803. Anna II was daughter of Botho III von Stolberg and Countess Anna von Eppenstein, and lived (1504-74).

 

 

1515-43 Reigning Abbess Madeleine d’Orleans, batard d’Angoulême of the Royal Abbey of Jouarre (France)

Continued the renovation and rebuilding of the chapter amidst the wars raging in France. She was daughter of Comte Charles d’Angoulême et de Perigord, and she received her half-brother, King Francis I, twice at the Abbey. The year after her death, the nuns had again to leave the Abbey during the war against Charles the V. She lived (circa 1496-1543).

 

1515-44 County Sheriff Alhed Jørgendatter Urne of the County ofFarum with Farumgård, Denmark

 

1516-20 Sovereign Duchess Jeanne d’Orléans of Valois (France)

Granddaughter of Louis d’Orléans (1392-1407) the son of King Charles V of France. She succeeded her relative, king François of France, and married to Charles de Coëtivy, Count de Tailleburg, and lived (1462-1520).

 

1516-49 Sovereign Duchess Marguerite d’Orléans-Angoulême of Berry
1525-49 Duchess of Alençon and Rodez, Comtesse d’Armagnac, du Perche, Pezenac, de L’Isle-Jourdain, Porhoët, Pardiac, Viscomtesse Fezenzaguet, Brulhois, d’Auvillars, Baroness de Castelnau, Caussade, Montmiral and Dame de La Flêche and Baugé (France)

Sister of Francis I of France, and first married the Duke of Alençon (d.1525) and in 1527, Henry d’Albret (titular king of Navarra).

With a strong interest in Renaissance learning, she was much influenced by Erasmus and the religious reformers of the Meaux circle, who looked to her for patronage and protection. She encouraged agriculture, learning, and the arts, and her court was the most intellectual in Europe. The patron of men of letters, including the heretical poet Clément Marot, she was a prolific writer of long devotional poems, dramas, secular poems, and the celebrated Heptaméron, a collection of stories on the theme of love. She lived (1492-1549).

 

1516-22 Regent Dowager Duchess Margaretha von Münsterberg-Oels of Anhalt-Dessau (Germany)

Widow of Ernst and regent for Johannes II von Anhalt-Dessau (1504-51). She was a respected ruler, and corresponded with Martin Luther, but remained a devout Catholic and refused to accept the reformation, but after her death, her sons jointed the Protestant movement. She lived (1473-1530).

 

1516 Rani Regnant of Quilon (India)

Quilon or Kollam in Karalla is an old seaport town on the Arabian coast. The state had a sustained commercial reputation from the days of the Phoenicians and the Romans. The port of was frequented by the Chinese, Arabs and the Nestorian Christians from Alexandria, it was regarded by the Arab author, Ibn Batuta, as one of the major five ports, which he had seen in the course of his travels during a period of twenty-four years, in the 14th century. The rulers of Kollam (Desinganadu) and China, exchange embassies and there was flourishing Chinese settlement at Kollam.

 

1516-67 Ruler Puteri di Dalam Petung of Pasir (Indonesia)

Oldest daughter of a mythical woman, who married a Prince of Grisee – a priest-principality on Java. She married Abu Mansyur Indra Jaya, who introduced Islam in Pasir. She was succeeded by her son, Aji Mas Pati Indra, as ruler of the principality in East-Borneo/Kalimantah

 

1516-28 Reigning-Abbess Katherina von Waldburg of Königsfelden (Switzerland)

The last reigning Abbess of the Ecclesiastical Territories of Königsfelden, which had vast possessions in Aargau, Swabia and Alsace which was secularized as part of the reformation, and its possessions in Aargau were annexed to Bern and the possessions in Swabia and Alsace were sold in 1528.

 

1516-26 Princess-Abbess Walburga Buck of Gutenzell (Germany)

Since 1521, the Ladies of the chapter (stift) charged the Hofmeister with the task of taking part in the Schwäbian Circle of the Imperial Diet in their name. At the time the Stift ruled over eight settlements with 1.189 inhabitants.

 

1516-28 County Sheriff Birgitte Olufsdatter Thott of the County of Medelsom and the Shire of Sønderlyng, Denmark

Birgitte Thott til Valø acted after the death of her second husband, Niels Eriksen Rosenkrantz. She (d. 1528).

 

1517 Sovereign Lady Dorothea Papinga of Jever (Germany)

Daughter of the Frisian chief, Edo Wiemken of West-Friesland, she and her 2 sisters succeeded their brother, Junker Christoph. Count Enno II of Friesland tried to incorporate Jever into his domain, he occupied the territory, and held the three sisters imprisoned in the castle, where she died shortly after.

1517-36 Sovereign Lady Anna Papinga of Jever (Germany)

Joint heiress of Jever with her two sisters. In 1531 the Lord Boring von Oldersum sided with the two sisters and secured the land for them.

1517-75 Sovereign Lady Maria of Jever, Rüstringen, Östringen and Wangerland (Germany)

After the death of her two sisters, and the removal of the West-Frisians, she became sole ruler of the area, with the title of Erbherrin. Also known as

Fräulein or Miss Maria, she concentrated on the consolidation and expansion of the Jever-territory and with support from the Emperor she maintained her demands in the Ostfrisean lands and the Frisian village developed into a modern territorial state. She never married and after her death the territory was inherited by her mother’s family; the counts of Oldenburg. She lived (1500-75).

 

1517-35 County Sheriff Karen Bentsdatter Bille of the County of Bygholm with the Shires of Bjerge, Hattinge, Nim and Vor, Denmark

Karen Bille took over the tenantcy after the death of her husband, Henrik Knudsen Gyldenstierne. 7 of her 22 children survived, and she lived (circa 1470-1540).

 

1518-56 Politically influential Queen Bona Sforza of Poland and Lithuania
1524-57 Sovereign Princess of Bari, Rossano, Crottaglie, Ostuni and Monteserico (Italy)

Her mother, Isabella de Aragon, had provided her with an excellent education. She read classic masterpieces and studied law and history and was fluent in Spanish and Latin. She married the 51-year old recently widowed King Sigmund I of Poland. It did not take long before she got involved in politics and economics, and she spent a lot of energy on recovering royal properties that had been in the hands of creditors. She also increased the revenues and raised taxes, and remained familiar with the current affairs of Bari and Rosano that legally remained in her hands. Emperor Felipe II was putting a great deal of pressure on her to pass her properties in Apulia and Calabria to Spain. In 1556 she returned to Italy and was warmly welcomed by her people, but one of her favourite advisors, Gian Baptista Pappacoda, was a Spanish spy. In November 1557 she turned very ill and she could not return to Poland as planned. Pappacoda tricked her to change her will in favour of Felipe II. When her health improved, she tried to change the will, but she was poisoned by Pappacode. She lived (1494-1557).

 

1518-30 Regent Dowager Margravine Anne d’Alençon of Monferrato
1533-36 Possible Regent of Monferrato (Italy)

After the death of her husband, Guglielmo IX Secondo Lazzaro (1494-1818), she ruled in the name of her son, Bonifacio IV (1512-18-30), who was

succeeded by uncle, the former Bishop Giangiorgio Sebastiano, (1488-1530-33). After her oldest daughter, Maria, had been divorced from Federico II Gonzaga, Anne arranged the marriage between Federico and her second daughter Margherita, who transmitted the claims of the Margravate to her husband, who was appointed Marchese of Monferrato in 1536. Anne might have acted as regent in the remaining period. She was also Dame de La Guerche and lived (1492-1562).

 

1518-29 County Sheriff Drude Claudatter Krummedige of the Counties of Skibelunde, Hoby and Vester Ulslev, Denmark

Drude Krummedige was widow of Christian Rantzau, former County Sheriff of Nyborg, who had been granted the tenantcy for the liftime of both of them in 1516. She had first been married to Otto Krumpen.

 

1518-23 De-facto In charge of the Customs Sigbrit Villoms in Denmark
1519-23 “Second in Command” in Denmark
1522-23 De-facto Leader of the Treasury

Generally known as Mor Sigbrit, she was a Dutch tradeswoman who moved Norway and managed a trading company in Bergen of a substantial size. Her daughter, Dyveke, became mistress of the later Christian 2 of Denmark around 1509. When became king in 1513 they moved with him to Copenhagen and Sigbrit’s influence grew. Dyveke died suddenly in 1517 – rumoured to have been poisoned. Queen Elisabeth von Habsburg appointed her as her Chief of Court and she also acted as midwife of the king’s children. Her brother was a pharmacist and she was knowledgeable about medicine. She was also left in charge of the government when Christian was abroad. 1522 she was given a so-called “General receipt” (generalkvittering), that made her de-facto a kind of Minister of Finance. When the king was deposed in 1523 for his dictatorial rule, she went with the family to the Netherlands where they tried to gain support for the king’s return. One of the conditions was that Christian had to part with her. From then on, nothing is heard of her. Sigbrit Willoms also wrote her surname as Villumsdatter.

 

Before 1519 Queen Regnant Azcasuch of Tepetlaoxtoc (Mexico)

Also known as or Azcaxóchitl, she was Cihuatlatoani (queen) of the pre-Columbian Acolhua altepetl of Tepetlaoztoc in the Valley of Mexico, in succession to her husband, Cocopin, and she was succeeded by her grandson, Diego Tlilpotonqui, who ruled when the Spanish arrived in 1519. She was daughter of daughter of King Nezahualcoyotl of Texoco, who ruled 1431-72.

 

1518-20 Pretender Fiorenza Sommaripa of Paros (Greece)
1520 Princess Regnant

Daughter of Gasparo di Sommaripa and Maria Sanudo of Naxos. The Principality was confiscated by her brother-in-law Duke Giovanni II after the death of her husband, but she was restored after pressure from Venice.

 

1519-56 Sovereign Margravine Ricciarda IMalaspina of Massa and Carrara, Lady of Massa dei Malpasina, Sovereign Lady of Carrara, Avenza e Moneta, (Italy)

Inherited the possessions of her father, Alberico II Malpasina. After the death of her sister, Eleonora, she got papal dispensation to marry her close

relative, Count Scipione Fieschi. After his death in 1520 she married Lorenzo Cybo – the nephew of Pope Leon X. 1525 Emperor Karl V formally invested her with the fief of Massa e Carrara and the Malaspina territories in 1529. She was an intelligent woman who maneuvered her state during the political turmoils of Italy, but preferred to reside in Rome and Firenze, and in her absence Cardinal Innocenzo Cybo was in charge of the government. Succeeded by son Giulio Cybo-Malaspina, and lived (1497-1556).

 

1519-possibly 21 Acting County Sheriff Johanne Henriksdatter Sparre of the County of Holbæk with the Shires of Merløse and Tudse, Denmark

Johanne Sparre til til Haglösa took over after the death of her first husband Erik Pedersen Bille, later she married Aage Axelsen Brahe til Sireköpinge. She (d. 1568).

 

1520-30 Queen Regnant Rangitamanjakatrimovavy of Hova/Imerina (Madagascar)

Also known as Rangita, she succeeded her father Ratsimisytoazy, and was succeeded by her daughter Rafohy. The Merina or Hova Dynasty later became rulers of the United Kingdom of Madagascar.

 

1530-40 Queen Regnant Rafohy of Imerina (Madagascar)

Successor of her mother, Rangitamanjakatrimovavy, who reigned the Hova dynasty from 1520, and was succeeded by king Andriamponga.

 

1520-25 City Regent Dowager Countess Magdalena von Öttingen of Montfort-Tettnang (Germany)

After the death of her husband Count Ulrich VII, she was named regent of the city (Stadtregentin). In 1521 Emperor Karl V gave her Blutbann as a fief

and in 1525 she was faced with a peasant uprising. Her second husband was Count Johann I von Montfort-Rothenfels-Wasserburg (d. 1529). After her death, Emperor Karl V gave the county as a fief to her nephew, Hugo XVI von Montfort-Rothenfels-Wasserburg, Count of Montfort-Tettnag, who was first married to her granddaughter, Maria Magdalena von Schwarzenberg zu Hohenlandsberg (1510-43), the oldest of the 14 children of her daughter, Eva von Montfort-Tettnang (1494-27). Another of Eva’s daughters, Maria Jakobe (1515-94) was Princess-Abbess of Buchau. Magdalena lived (1473-1525).

 

1520 Rebellion Leader Kristina Gyllenstierna in Sweden

The daughter of Nils Eriksson Gyllenstierna (member of the Swedish Council of the Realm) she married Sten Sture in 1511 and Sten Sture was elected regent the following year. From the age of 21 she took part in the national counsel and showed a remarkable knowledge and maturity. In 1520 her husband died of the damages he had got at the battle of Bogesund, and in may the same year she manned the Stockholm and defended the city, with success, against the Danish troops under command of Christian II. In September she had to capitulate and surrendered Stockholm to the Danish king. This was the beginning of the infamous ‘Stockholm’s bloodbath’. She was imprisoned at Stockholm Castle where she stayed until November 1521 when she was brought to Denmark. 1524 she could return to Sweden, country which now where ruled by the Swedish king Gustav Vasa, the son of her half sister Cecilia of Eka. She once again tried to get involved in politics, but in 1525 she reached a settlement with her nephew, and married Johan Turesson Tre Rosor (a member of the national counsel) in 1527. He died in 1566. She had a son with Svante and one with Johan, and lived (1494-1559).

 

 

1520-65 Princess-Abbess Anna II von Limburg-Stirum of Herford and Gerresheim (Germany)

Also known as von Limburg-Styrum, she had been Koadjutorin 1515-20, and was the first to be appointed Princess of the Empire of the territory in 1523. She was strong opponent of the Protestantism which lead to various disputes with the city of Herford, which joined the new faith in the 1520’s. She was daughter of Count Adolf von Limburg and Elisabeth von Reichenstein Her sister Agnes was Abbess of Freckenhorst and Metelen, (d.1570) and Katharina was Abbess of Borghorst (d.1572). Anna resigned and lived another 20 years before her death in 1585.

 

1520-29 Princess-Abbess Anna VII Schlaibegg of Baindt (Germany)

The Chapter and City of Baindt were closely connected during the centuries, but the Peasant’s Uprising (Bauernkrieg) of 1525 the abbey was burned down.

 

1520-22 Princess-Abbess Marguerite III d’Esne of Nivelles, Dame Temporaire and Spirituelle of Nivelles (Belgium)

Member of an ancient North-French family.

 

1520-69 Princess-Abbess Barbara II von Aham of Niedermünster in Regensburg (Germany)

Influential in Regensburg, the frequent meeting place of the imperial diet from 1532, and from 1663 to 1806 it was the permanent seat of the Imperial

Diet – where she was member of the Bench of Bavarian Prelates. Barbara was member of an old Bavarian noble family.

 

1520 and 1544 Princess-Abbess Madeleine de Choiseul of Remiremont (France)

The fact that she was selected by her predecessor and not by the ladies of the chapter as the rules stipulated, caused some protests, and she resigned in favour of Nicole de Dommartin, who resigned shortly after in favour of Marguerite d’Haraucourt. This on the other hand was contested by Marguerite de Neufchâel, who appointed Madeleine as Coadjutrice when she prevailed in 1528 after years of incertanties. After Madame de Neuchâtel’s death, Madeleine was Princess-Abbess for a few months’ before being succeeded by Madame d’Haraucourt.

 

1520-? Princess-Abbess Nicole de Dommartin of Remiremont (France)

Her election as successor of Madeleine de Choiseul, was contested by Marguerite de Neufchâtel, Abbess of Baume, and she soon resigned in favour of Margureite d’Haraucourt, but Madame de Neufchâtel prevailed in 1528, and appointed Madeleine de Choiseul as coadjutrice.

 

1520-34 Gülbehar Hatun Mahidevran Valide Sultan of The Ottoman Empire (Covering Turkey, Greece, The Balkans, parts of the Middle East and Northern Africa)

Hafsa Hatin or Aisha Hafsa Khanum acted as Queen Mother of her son, Süleyman the Magnificent after the death of her husband Selim I. She may have

been daughter of Mengli Giray Khan of the Crimean Tatars, and lived (1494-1534).

 

1521-22 Regent Queen Anna Jagiellonka of Austria
1539 Regent of Austria, Hungary and Bohemia

The daughter of king Wladislaw II Jagiello of Hungary and Bohemia and Anne de Foix-Candale. Since 1521 a wife of Ferdinand von Habsburg, Archduke of Austria, since 1526 Anna and Ferdinand were king and Queen of Austria, Hungary and Bohemia. She lived (1503-47).

 

 

1521-50 Reigning Dowager Duchess Anna von Pommern of Lüben (Lubin) (Poland)

After the death of her husband, Georg I von Brieg (Jerzy of Brzeg) (1495-1521), she held the Slesian Principality as her dowry. She lived (142-1550).

 

 

1521-47 Reigning Lady Anna von Brandenburg of the Cities and Administrative Offices of Crivitz and Lübz in Mecklenburg-Schwerin (Germany)
1547-67 Reigning Dowager Lady

The wife of Albrecht VII of Mecklenburg she was given the territories (Städte und Ämter) as her dowry for life. Her husband died in 1547 and she moved

to the renovated castle of Eldenburg. She was a devout Catholic, but in 1559 her son, Johann Albrecht I expelled the monks and priests from her lordship, which was the only place in Mecklenburg that had not joined the reformation up to then.

 

1521-32 Regent Dowager Queen Njai Tjili of Ternate (Indonesia)

Reigned for sons Deijalo and Bohejat. In 1532 Prince Kaitjil became sultan.

 

1521-34 Princess-Abbess Margarethe II von Beichlingen of Essen (Germany)

During the 14th century the organisation of the Chapter and its surrounding got more character of an actual state. Margarethe II was member of the very ancient Countly family of von Beichlingen, which was one of the most important families of Thüringen.

 

1521-39 Princess-Abbess Marie von Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel of Gandersheim (Germany)

The 9th of the 11 children of Friedrich II von Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel and Hedwig von Württemberg, she was titular ruler of the chapter all of her life, and was succeeded by her 7-year-old sister, Klara, and lived (1521-39).

 

1521-.. County Sheriff Mette Borkvardsdatter Skinkel, Harridslevgård
1527-39/42 County Sheriff of Odense Møntergård, Denmark

Mette Skinkel til Torpegård and Åsum, was also known as Skinkelsdatter, and was named successor to Harridslevgård tenantcy (fik ventebrev) in 1514, and took over after the death of her husband, Tjelluf Eriksen Bjørn (Tilluf Eriksøn). She was later granted Odense Møntergård for life. She (d. 1539/42).

 

1521-28 County Sheriff Sophie Jørgendatter Rud of the County of Isolte in Halland (Then Denmark, now Sweden)

Sophie Rud, who was also known as Rudsdatter, was appointed jointly with her husband, Tyge Brahe and took over the administration after his death in 1523. Her second husband, Erik Madsen Bølle, was Lensmand 1528-63. She (d. 1551).

 

1521-after 1526 County Sheriff Anne Pedersdatter of the County of Thurø, Denmark

Jomfru Anne (which was the denotation for an unmarried noble lady) was granted the island south of Svendborg, in 1526 it was noted that she was not to “interfere with the local peasants” (ikke befatte sig med bønderne).

 

1522-39 Sovereign Countess Paula Ludovica Torello of Gaustalla (Italy)

The County which Paula Ludovica Torello della Guastalla had inherited from her father, was claimed by another branch of the family, and the affair

was carried before Pope Clement VIII and Emperor Charles V. She settled the matter by disposing of her estates to Fernando Gonzaga, thereby also increasing her resources for the religious foundations she had in mind. In 1536 she entered the Angelicals, a congregation that she had founded, taking the name of Paola Maria. Later she established or assisted in the establishment of several other religious houses in various parts of Italy. When Paul III imposed the cloister on the Angelicals, she instituted another community, also at Milano. Like the Angelicals, they were under the direction of the Barnabites. The members, known as Daughters of Mary, dedicated themselves to the care of orphans of noble family, eighteen being provided for in the endowment. She was married 2 times and lived (1499-1569).

 

1522-49 Princess-Abbess Adrienne I de Saint Omer of Nivelles, Dame Temporaire and Spirituelle of Nivelles (Belgium)

Her family were lords of the city of St.-Omer in Belgium.

 

1523-.. Regent Patodhara Waghelji Raniji Shri Kalyandi Kunverba Sahib of Halvad (later known as Dhrangadgra) (India)

7th wife of Rana Raj Raydharji, she took over the regency after his death in the name of their son, Shri Shaktimant Jhaladipati Mahamandleshwar Rana Sriraj Mansinhji Ranoji Sahib, Rana Raj Sahib of Halvad.

 

1523-58 De-facto Ruler Kadin Hürrem Sultan of the Ottoman Empire (Covering Turkey, Greece, The Balkans, parts of the Middle East and Northern Africa)

Western sources refer to her variously as Roxelana, Rosa, Rosanne, Rossa, Ruziac or La Rossa. She is generally believed to have been enslaved during raids by the Crimean Turks on Ukraine and Galcia during the reign of Yavuz Sultan Selim, and presented to the Ottoman palace. Of the diverse theories about her ethnic origin, it is most likely that she was Russian or Polish, and there is evidence that she considered herself to be Polish. She became Süleyman the Magnificent’s premier wife, the birinci kadin. To ensure that one of her own sons would succeed to the throne, she did everything in her power to turn Süleyman against his eldest son and heir Mustafa, and also conspired to bring about the execution of Grand Vezir İbrahim Paşa, who supported Mustafa. She persuaded Süleyman to appoint Rüstem Paşa grand vizier – he was married to their daughter Mihrumâh. From her letters written to Süleyman when he was on campaign, we learn that she advised him on political matters. The letters of congratulation and gifts she and her daughter sent to the Polish King Zigsmund II, and the correspondence between Hürrem and the sister of Shah Tahmasp of Iran, are cited as evidence of her influential role in politics and foreign affairs. During her later life, she became more concerned with charitable works and founded a number of institutions, becoming the first woman to endow a mosque complex in Istanbul. She lived (circa 1507-58).

 

1523-40 Princess-Abbess Elisabeth von Hohengeroldseck of Buchau (Germany)

In 1497 she was Canoness and participated in the election of her predecessor. In 1524 the territory became a member of the Swabian League (Schwäbische Bund) and member of the Geistlischen Fürstenbank – Bench of the Lords Spiritual of the Schwäbischer Kreis (Swabian Circle) – the regional assembly. She signed a decision of the Imperial Diet (Reichstagsabscheid) in 1529, and participated in the Assembly of the Swabian Circle (Kreistag) in 1531 and in the Reichstag of Worms with the Prelates of Swabia 1535 and was represented in the Imperial Diet by the Counts of Swabia in 1536. According to the older literature she was driven out of the Chapter for a period during a peasant revolt. She was daughter of Gangolf von Hohengeroldseck and Kunigunde von Montfort and lived (before 1480-1540).

 

1523-43 Princess-Abbess Barbara I von Spangstein of Göss bei Leoben (Austria)

Member of a noble family from Steiermark.

 

1523-68 Reigning Dowager Lady Queen Sophie von Pommern of Denmark of Lolland and Falster, County Sheriff of the County of Nykøbing with the two Shires of Falster in Denmark and Lady of the Administrative Units of Kiel and Plön (Slesvig-Holsten)

The islands of Lolland and Falster was given to her as a dowry (Livgeding) when her husband, King Frederik I ascended to the throne in 1523. In Lolland and Falster she appointed her own County Sheriffs to take care of the administration of the minor tenancies. She also held the German Castles and Administrative Units of Kiel and Plön and adjourning areas in Holsten (Schloss und Amt von Kiel und Plön) as part of her dowry. She lived (1498-1568).

 

1523-… County Sheriff Inger Ottesdotter Rømer of the Counties of Fosen, Edøen, Romsdal and Søndmøre and Tønsberg, Norway
Until 1555 County Sheriff of the County of Romsdal and Rejns Kloster, Denmark

Inger Rømer til Austått by Tronhjem was married to Niels Henriksen Gyldenløve, who was send to The Netherlands to accompany Elisabeth of Habsburg back to Denmark, where she would marry King Christian 2. After his death she managed to keep most of his tenancies. Only Vardøhus she had to give up to her son-in-law Erik Ugerup, married to Anne. She later got Tønsberg as security for loans (Pantelen). And she managed to acquire the famous estate of Giske and even though it rightfully belonged to Carl Knudsens’ female heirs. She also tried to get her hand on the estates that had been owned by the late Inger Erlandsdatter Losne, even though it belonged to a branch of the Danish Rosenkrantz-family. Finally she also became “Mistress” (Forstanderinde) of the abbey of Rejns and thereby in charge of its rich estates during the reformation. In the 1530s she was involved in disputes with the Archbishop who got the upper hand and she sought refuge at Austått. 1533 she had to give up to Giske and later the Losne-Estates also went to the rightful heirs. Mother of 5 daughters who all married high ranking and influential Danish nobles. She drowned at a sea journey together with her daughter Lucie and granddaughter Gunhild. (d. 1555).

 

After 1523-circa 29 County Sheriff Lene Ludvigsdatter Rosenkrantz of Lunde with several parishes in Mors, Denmark

Lene Rosenkrantz til Estrup was widow of Thomas Iversen Juel, who was in office from 1520. The tenancy was paid off by her son Iver Juel after her death. She (d. 1529).

 

1523-26 Politically Active Queen Elisabeth von Habsburg of Denmark

She accompanied her husband, Christian 2. (1481-1513-23-59) of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, in exile, and she was active at the European stage, working for his reinstatement. In 1524 she spoke in his favour at the Diet of the Holy Roman Empire in Nürnberg. He later tried to reclaim the throne, but was taken captive and died in imprisonment. She was daughter of Queen Juana la Loca and king Felipe de Austria of Castilla, and lived (1501-26).

 

1524-31 County Sheriff Ingeborg Predbjørnsdatter Podebusk of the County of Gårdstange (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Ingeborg Podebusk was in charge of the fief, which was also known as Gardsstange, after the death of her husband, Councillor of the Realm Tønne Vernersen Parsberg til Harrested og Ørtofte. During the The Count’s Feud (Grevens Fejde) her estate was burned down by the peasants. She was mother of one son, Verner Tønnsen Parsberg, and (d. 1542).

 

1524 Acting County Sheriff Karen Steensdatter Gøye of the County of Skivehus with the Shires of Nørre, Harre, Hindborg and Rødding, Denmark

Karen Gøye was in charge after the death of her husband, Niels Pedersen Høeg Banner.

 

1525-50 Sovereign Duchess Françoise d’Alençon of Beaumont-Maine, Princesse d’Alençon (France)

Succeeded brother, Charles IV, who had no children with his wife Marguerite d’Orléans-Angoulême, Duchesse de Berry. Françoise was married to François d’Orléans, Duc de Longueville and to Charles IV de Bourbon, Duc de Vendôme. Her sister, Anne d’Alençon, was Dame de la Guerche and married to Guillaume Paléolouge, Marquis de Monferrato, and lived (1492-1562). Françoise lived (1490/91-1550).

 

Circa 1525-50 Lady Isabel Xipaguazin Moctezuma of Tacuba (Mexico)

Originally named Tecuichpo, Techichpotzin, or Tecuichpotzin, Princesa Isabel, was daughter of Moctezuma II (1466-1520), who was

the last emperor of the Aztecs (1502-20), who ruled the grand city of Tenochtitlán, and after her cousin, Cuauhtémoc, was executed, she was considered heiress of the Aztec empire, and married two conquistadors, Alonso de Grado and Pedro Gallego de Andrada. King Carlos I of Spain named her Holder for perpetuity of the Lordship of Tacuba – which largely corresponds with the historic centre of the City of México. She was mother of 7 children and founded the Spanish noble house of the counts of Moctezuma, and lived (circa 1510-50)

 

1525-55 Princess-Abbess Ursula II Muntprat von Spiegelberg of Schänis (Switzerland)

In 1525 the people of the Gasterland in the Schänis Area joined the reformed faith and the Chapter was briefly suspended in 1529, but after the victory of the Catholic areas around Kappel in 1531 they were forced back to the catholic faith, the confederates (eidgenossen) assembled and discussed the affairs of the Chapter in 1551 and 1552. Her family originated kn Konstantz and in 1535 she lost a court case about the inheritance from their parents to her parents Hans Heinrich Muntprat von Spiegelberg.

 

1525-29 Reigning Abbess-General Leonor de Sosa de Mendoza of the Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos (Spain)

The Abbess of the Chapter held her own courts, granted letters dismissorial for ordination and issued licenses authorizing priests within the limits of her abbatial jurisdiction, to hear confessions, to preach, and to engage in the cure of souls. She was privilege also to confirm Abbesses, to impose censures, and to convoke synods.

 

1526-29 Sovereign Princess Anna of Mazowsze-Bełz (Poland)

Księżna Anna Mazowiecka succeeded her father, Duke Konrad III. Her mother was Princess Anna Radziwiłłówna, and she lived (1498/1500-after 1557).

 

1526-33 Reigning Dowager Countess Anna von Schönberg of Schaumburg (Germany)

Took over the castle (Die Schaumburg auf dem Nesselberg) and surrounding territory as her dowry after the death of her husband, Anton, the last count to reside in the castle and territory as her dowry after the death of her husband, Anton, the last count to reside of the castle.

 

1526-35 Acting Governor Isabel Manrique, Isla de Margarita (Venezuela/Spanish Possession)

Together with her husband, the judge of the High Court of Santo Domingo, Marcelo de Villalobos, she had been installed in the island since 1512. In 1525 he obtained, by pact with the Spanish Crown, the Governorship of Margarita, but he passed away the following year, and she asked for the rights of governorship to be transferred to her daughter, Aldonza. Isabel appointed a number of governor-lieutenants, but continued to take care of her daughter’s interests until she married in 1535.

 

1526-32 Princess-Abbess Walpurgis Bitterler of Heggbach (Germany)

Member of a Noble family from Basel in Switzerland, she died of breast cancer.

 

1526-28 Princess-Abbess Barbara von Stottingen of Gutenzell (Germany)

In 1526 the peasants attacked the Chapter and looted the rooms and the same year the citizen of Biberach wanted to introduce the reformation but did not succeed.

 

1527-28 Regent Dowager Queen Maria von Habsburg of Bohemia-Hungaria
1527 Presided over the Hungarian Assembly (December)
1530 Presided over the Austrian Landtag (January)
1530-55 General-Stadholder of the Netherlands
1530-58 Governor of Franche-Comté (France)

At the age of 17 she married King Lajos II Jagello of Hungary, who was 15. Four years later, the Turks over-ran half his kingdom, including the capital, Budapest and he was killed at the battle. She fled west, taking the Hungarian treasury with her, and called the Assembly which elected her brother, Archduke Ferdinand von Österreich as king of Hungary. In 1530 she Presided over the Landtag in his name. Her brother, Karl V, appointed her Governor of the Netherlands after the death of their aunt, Margaretha and she was also put in charge of Franche-Comté. Maria was granddaughter of Duchess Marie of Burgundy, had no children, and lived (1505-58).

 

 

1527-35 Sovereign Duchess Giulia da Varano of Camerino (Italy)

Succeeded to the title when her father died of plague, but was deposed by a male relative. Married to Guidobaldo II della Rovere, Duke

di Urbino (1514-74), and lived (1523-47).

 

 

1527-35 Regent Dowager Duchess Caterina Cybo of Camerino (Italy)

Reigned in the name of her daughter after the death of her husband, Giovanni Maria da Varano, Lord and 12th Pontifical Vicar of Camerino and Count since 1503 Duke of Camerino, who was deposed in 1521, reappointed the following year and confirmed by papal bull with the right of succession for their daughter in 1524, She was daughter of Franceschetto Cybo – the natural son of pope Innocenzo VIII and Maddalena de’ Medici lived (1501-57).

 

1527-circa 75 Governor-in-absentia Aldonza de Villalobos Manrique, Isla de Margarita (Venezuela/Spanish Possession)

Normally known as Aldonza Manrique. After her father’s death, her mother, Isabel Manrique, had the king transfer the governorship

to her in 1527 – with the condition that while she was under age or was unmarried, the governorship was held by “a man with appropriate age”, and her mother therefore appointed a number of governor-lieutenants. In 1535 she married the conqueror Pedro Ortiz de Sandoval, who came to Santo Domingo from Peru. In 1539 the Council of the Indians confirmed her rights, but she did not take over before 1542, when she and her husband ruled as lieutenant-governors. There are no documents evidencing she ever travelled to the island, and it cannot be taken for granted that her husband did it either. After her husband’s death in 1546, she retained the title of Governor of Margarita, but continued to live in Santo Domingo, until her daughter, Marcela, got married aged 14 with Juan Gómez de Villandrando, who became the new lieutenant-governor on her behalf. In 1561 the island was invaded, and Marcela’s husband killed. In 1565 she travelled to Spain with her daughter and two grandsons, and requested to the Council of the Indians the island Governorship to be transferred to one of those, Juan Sarmiento de Villandrando. The petition was accepted after 10 years, after she had already died. She lived (circa 1520-75).

 

1527-29 Reigning Viscomtesse Anne de Rohan of Rohan, Porhoët and León (France)

Succeeded her brother, Jacques . I. de Rohan 16e vicomte de Rohan, vicomte de Léon, comte de Porhoët ((1478-1527). She was married to her cousin, Pierre II de Rohan-Gié, seigneur de Blain, de Frontenay, de La Marche et de Gié, vicomte de Carentan (d. 1525). She was succeeded by their son. She lived (1585-1529)

 

1527-47 Princesse-Abbesse Magdalena de Choiseul of Remiremont, Dame of Saint Pierre and Metz etc. (France)

As sovereign of the territory she had the right to choose the mayor of Remiremont from a list proposed by the nobles of the city. The mayor’s deputy, the Grand Eschevin, was chosen by the mayor from a list of 3 candidates presented by the citizens of the city with her advice. She resigned from the post as sovereign of the ecclesiastical state and 74 lordships in northern France. She resigned from her position.

 

1528, 1529-33, 1535-36 and 1538-39 Regent Queen Isabel de Portugal of Spain

In charge of the government during her husband emperor Carlos (V) of the Holy Roman Empire (1516-56)’s travels in the Empire. She governed the country and her children with a strong hand. When she died following a miscarriage, her husband was heartbroken, and he collected all the paintings that were done of her and had more commissioned to keep the memory of her alive. She was granddaughter of Ferdinand and Isabel I and mother of 6 children – among others king Felipe II (Husband of Queen Mary of England). She lived (1503-39).

 

1528-42 Princess-Abbess Magdalena von Freyberg of Gutenzell (Germany)

The Chapter was founded in 1230 and started the process towards independence as a princely territory in the Holy Roman Empire in 1417.

 

 

1528-44 Princess-Abbess Marguerite III de Neufchâtel of Remiremont (France)

Since 1520 she had contested the appointment of Madeleine de Choiseul, the election of Nicole de Dommartin and her resignation in favour of Marguerite d’Haraucurt but in 1528 she finally gained the upper hand, and then appointed Madeleine de Choiseul as coadjutice. Marguerite’s sister, Bonne, succeeded their brother, Thibaut XI, as Dame de Neufchatel in 1500/04 and lived until 1515. Her younger sister, Elizabeth de Neufchatel was Dame de Chatel-sur-Moselle, etc, They were children of Claude, Lord de Neufchatel, etc, Vicomte de Baume, Governor of Luxembourg and Burgundy, Marshall of Burgundy, etc. and Bonne van Bolchen. Marguerite lived (circa 1480-1544).

 

1528-51 County Sheriff Pernille Mogensdatter Gøye of the County of Jungshoved and Roskilde Agnete Kloster, Denmark

Pernille Gøye was widow of Anders Ebbesen Galt til Tyrrstrup, Rubjerggård og Skumstrup (d. 1529). She was granted the tenantcy for life in 1528. Her

second husband, Birger Trolle, was County Sheriff of Roskilde Agnethe Kloster circa 1546-71. She lived (1506-52).

 

1528-70 Feudal Duchess Isabella Colonna of Traetto, Contess di Fondi and Ceccano, Lady of Paliano, Olevano, Serrone, Zancati, Morulo etc, Acquaviva, Maranola, Carpello, Sperlonga, Monticelli, Imola, Pastena and S. Chigia, Capranica Prenestina, Genzano, Genazzano, Guliano, Montecmopatri, Sgurgola, Nettuno, Ciliano, Castel Mattia, Supino, San Lorenzo, San Vito, Ceccano, Ofi, Falvaterra, Sonnino and Vallecorsa (Italy)

She was the official heiress of Traetto and Fondi, where she was confirmed by Emperor Karl V in 1532, and pretender to the other fiefs. Fist married to Lodovico II Gonzaga, 3rd Count di Sabbioneta (1500-32) and then to Philippe de Lannoy, Prince de Sulmona. She lived (1513-70).

 

1529-30 Regent Dowager Sultan Dudu of Janupur (India)

After the death of her husband, Muhammed, she was regent for Galal Han, who was deposed in 1533. Under her family’s reign, the state became the home of Islamic culture and refuge for men of letters. She was killed in 1530.
Juliana zu Stolberg-Wernigerode, Gräfin von Hanau-Münzenberg, Gräfin von Nassau-Dillenburg

 

1529-31 Joint Guardian Dowager Countess Juliana zu Stolberg-Wernigerode of Hanau-Münzenberg (Germany)

When her first husband, Philipp II von Hanau-Münzenberg (1501-29), died she was one of the guardians for her son, Philipp III (1526-61). The youngest daughter was born 2 days after her husband died. 2 years later she married one of the other guardians, Count Wilhelm von Nassau-Dillenburg, and moved with her children to Dillenburg. When her sons joined the Dutch battle against the Spanish from 1566, she was engaged and gave advice to all of them. She had 5 children with her first husband and 12 with the second. The daughter of Count Botho zu Stolberg and Anna von Eppstein-Königstein, she was sister of Princess-Abbess Anna II of Quedlinburg, and lived (1506-80).

 

1529-35 Princess-Abbess Margaretha IV Brock of Baindt (Germany)

In 1521 the Princess-Abbess was mentioned as an Imperial Prelate in an inventory of the Reichsstände – the territories of the Realm.

 

 1529-36 Reigning Abbess-General Leonor Sarmiento of the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos (Spain)

She was the Supreme Head of the congregation consisting of the monasteries of Torquemada, Gradefes, Carrizo, Perales, San Andrés de Arroyo, Santa Maria de Otero, Cañas y Fuencaliente, Villamayor de los Montes, Renuncio, Barría y Avia and the temporal territory of Vileña.

 

1529 Hereditary Countess Irmgard von Sayn of Limburg an der Lenne and Broich (Germany)

The daughter of Count Johann VIII zu Sayn (1493-1529) and Otille of Nassau-Saarbrücken, she was married to Wirich von Daun-Falkenberg.

 

1529-31 County Sheriff Sophie Henriksdatter Gyldenstierne of the County of Hagenskov, Denmark

As Lensmand (County Sheriff) Sophie Gyldenstierne til Buckenhagen acted as the king’s representative and was in charge of various aspects of the local administration. She was widow of Bendix von Ahlefeldt til Haseldorf og Gelting (1418-1517), mother of Anne Benedictsdatter von Ahlefeldt (1515-50), and (d. after 1531).

 

1529-35 Politically Influential Queen Anne Boleyn of England (United Kingdom)

Her father, Thomas Boleyn, Earl of Wiltshire and Ormonde, was a diplomat and as a child she was offered a place at the court of Margareta of Habsburg, Regent of the Netherlands. She later became a lady-of-waiting to Queen Claude of France and of Queen Catherine of Aragon when she returned to England. In 1525 Henry VIII also fell in love with her and began his pursuit, she refused until he proposed marriage to her sometime in 1527. She managed to have Cardinal Wolsey, who opposed their marriage, removed from power in 1529, and she became the most powerful person at Court where she had a great say over appointments and political matters. She clashed heads with the king’s new chief minister, Sir Thomas More, who was a bitter enemy of religious freedom and reform. When the Pope refused to accept their marriage, she suggested that he should follow the advice of religious radicals like William Tyndale who denied Papal Authority and believed that the monarch should lead the Church of his own nation. When the devoutly Catholic Archbishop of Canterbury died, Anne had her family’s chaplain – Thomas Cranmer – appointed to the vacant position. She also facilitated the rise of Thomas Cromwell, who became the king’s favourite new adviser, though she would later regret this. During this period, she also played an enormous role in England’s international position, by solidifying the French alliance. She established an excellent rapport with the French ambassador, Giles de la Pommeraye. She was appointed Marchioness of Pembroke before their secret marriage in 1532. In 1533 a public wedding was conducted and Catherine was formally stripped of her title as queen in time for Anne’s coronation in May 1533 and the “break with Rome. In September her only daughter, the later Queen Elizabeth, was born. The marriage soon began breaking down and she had miscarriages in 1534 and 1536. Henry began a relationship to Jane Seymour and in order to be able to marry her, he accused her of adultery and had her executed. She lived (circa 1507-36).

 

1530-40 Queen Regnant Rafohy of Imerina (Madagascar)

Successor of her mother, Rangitamanjakatrimovavy, who reigned the Hova dynasty from 1520, and was later succeeded by king Andriamponga.

 

1530-circa 38 Rani Abbakka Devi Chowta of Ullal (India)

Sources and historical analysis confirm that there were three Abbakkas: mother and two daughters, who fought against the Portuguese Army, but the folklore treats all three Abbakkas as one great queen and a brilliant personality; Abbakka Mahadevi or Rani Abbakka. She was married to a neighbouring local king of Bangher, but the marriage did no last long, and the husband thus nurtured revenge against her and later on joined the Portuguese to fight her. The Portuguese had made several attempts to capture Ullal, but she had repulsed each of their attack. The first attack by the Portuguese in south Kanara coast was in 1525, when they destroyed the Mangalore port. She was alerted by the incident and started preparing herself to protect her kingdom.

 

1530-33 Acting County Sheriff Anne Jørgensdatter Rud of the County of Roskilde Vor Frue Kloster, Denmark

Anne Rud married Rigsråd Henrik Krummedige, who was Councillor of the Realm in both Denmark and Norway. In 1502 she was in charge of the defence of the Norwegian boarder-castle Båhus in his absence. She was an extremely able land-owner, farmer and trader. Since 1531 she also had possession of a number of minor fiefs in Norway, administered by her son-in-law, married to her only daughter, Sofie. She left an extensive correspondence with her daughter, son-in-law and other relatives, and according to the custom of the time, she were in charge of the upbringing of her grandchildren, before her death in 1533.

 

1530 Acting County Sheriff Lene Christoffersdatter Hak of Næsby Birk, Denmark

Lene Hak til Egholm was the sole heir of her family, as her father, Christoffer Hak, was the last male of the family. She was in charge of the tenantcy

after the death of her husband, Hans Krafse. The mother of two surviving children, she (d. 1551).

 

Until 1530 Queen Tlaxco Cihuapilli of Xochimilco (Mexico)

In march of 1530 Queen Cihuapilli Tzaptzinco peacefully offered her surrender to a Spanish conquistador, who took possession of the land in the name of his Majesty Emperor Charles V. during 20 days he toured the surrounding towns and quickly received their allegiance. The Aztec Kingdom was originally situated in what is today the centre of Mexico City.

 

1531/38-61 Sovereign Countess Jacqueline de Longwy of Bar-sur-Seine (France)

Succeeded her mother, Jeanne of Angoulême, Countess of Bar-sur-Seine (c.1490- after 1531/1538), the illegitimate half-sister of King

Francis I of France. Her older sister, Françoise de Longwy, Dame de Pagny and de Mirebeau (c.1510- after 14 April 1561), succeeded their father, Jean IV de Longwy, Seigneur de Givry, Baron of Pagny and of Mirebeau (died 1520). The middle sister, Claude Louise de Longwy, was Abbess of Jouarre. Jacqueline was the first wife of Louis de Bourbon, Duc de Montpensier, Prince de La Roche-sur-Yon and Dauphin d’Auvergne, they had 5 children, and she lived (before 1520-61).

 

1531-36 Pretender Caecilia of Paros (Greek Island-State)
1536-37 Princess Regnant

Successor of her father, Nicolo II (1520-31), she reigned jointly with her husband, Bernado Sagredo (d. 1603). The state was conquered by the Osman Turks 1537, and among the captured was the future Sultan Valide Nurbanu. Caecilia (d. 1543).

 

1531-… Sovereign Countess Guyonne XVII of Laval (France)

Daughter of Guy XVI and Charlotte de Aragon. She was originally named Catherine Anne de Laval, but took the feminized version of Guy upon her succession. She married Claude de Rieux, and was succeeded by their daughter Renée in 1547, who took the name Guyonne XVIII

 

1531-78 Princess-Abbess Katharina I von Bodman of Lindau (Germany)

The Fürstäbtissin of the Ecclesiastical Territory had been member of the Geistlichen Fürstenbank (Bench of Lords Spiritual) of the Schwäbischer Kreis (Swabian Circle) the Regional Assembly since 1500 with a seat in the Imperial Diet (Reichstag). Her family was Lords (Freiherren) of Bodman, Espasingen, Wahlwies, Freudental, Langenrain and Liggeringen.

 

1531-77 Princess-Abbess Margaretha IV van Brederode of Thorn (The Netherlands)

Obtained papal dispensation since she was only 17 at the time of her election. The abbesses no longer used the nun’s habit and in 1544 and 1549 Emperor Karl V confirmed, that Thorn was a separate entity outside the Netherlands, and also declared that the Abbey belonged to the Westphalian Circle within the Diet of the Realm. Margaretha seems to have been the first to use the right of the principality to make it’s own money – and she was accused of using base metal in the coins. She was daughter of Waleram II, Lord of Brederode and Vianden, Burgrave van Utrecht and Anna von Neuenahr.

 

1532-39 and 1539-44 Regent Dowager Countess Ippolita Cybo of Cajazzo, Serre and Persano (Italy)

After the death of her husband, Roberto Robert Ambrogio da Sanseverino, Markgrave of Colorno, it seems that she was first regent for her sons and then for her daughter Maddalena Sanseverino Cybo (d. 1551), who was married in 1539 to Giulio Cesare Rossi di Parma Riario-Sforza, Conte di Cajazzo. Ippolita was daughter of Francesco Cybo, Count Palatine of the Lateran, and Maddalena de’ Medici., and lived (1503-62).

 

1532-43 Joint Guardian Dowager Duchess Elisabeth von Hessen of Pfalz-Zweibrücken-Neuburg (Germany)
1541-43 Joint Regent of the Duchy

After the death of her husband, Duke Ludwig II, she was regent for son, Wolfgang, jointly with her brother-in-law, Ruprecht. In 1541 her son was granted the fief of the realm (reichslehn) and two years later he officially took over the government, and in 1557 his childless relative, Pfalzgraf Ottheinrich of Pfalz-Neuburg, formally abdicated in his favour. In 1541 she married Georg Count Palatine von Simmern (Pfalz-Simmern) (1518-69) and lived (1503-63)

 

1532-48 Princess-Abbess Anna I Reuss von Plauen of Gernrode and Frose (Germany)

The chapter was mismanaged during her reign and marked by internal disputes and the Archbishops of Magdeburg and Bishops of Halberstadt perused a policy of acquiring the lands of the Stift. 1544 the possessions of the once so powerful and rich community had fallen back to 5 villages and a limited amount of land. In 1549 she gave the city of Gernrode the right of “lower court” 10 years after it had required the privilleges of a town. She was daughter of Heinrich III Reuβ von Plauen, Burgrave von Meiβen, Landvogt von Niederlausitz and Barbara von Anhalt, and lived (1506-48).

 

1532-39 Princess-Abbess Maria zu Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel of Gandersheim (Germany)

Because of the dispute following the double-election of two Abbesses in 1504, her father was able to have her appointed without an election even though she was a minor and newer set foot in the chapter. The administration was taken over by ducal civil servants. She lived (1527-39).

 

1532-39 Princess-Abbess Margaretha I Hauptmann of Heggbach (Germany)

Initiated extensive renovations of the central buildings of the chapter. Her father, Hans Hauptmann, was Secretary of the Abbey of Salem. One brother was Priest in Griesingen and another brother citizen of Lindau.

 

1532 County Sheriff Sophie Predbjørnsdatter Podebusk of the County of Malmøhus with the Shires of Oxle, Ingelstad and Jærestad and the County of Högby (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)
1532-40 County Sheriff of the County of Ellinge, Denmark
1538-40 County Sheriff of the County of Isløf

Sophie Podebusk administered the tenantcies after the death of her husband, Albert Jepsen Ravensberg, who had been invested with the fief in 1529. She was later given Isløf for life. (d. 1540).

 

1532-4.. County Sheriff Eline Henningsdatter Godov of the County of Rønnebæksholm, Denmark

Eline Godov was widow of Henrik Gøye til Gisselfeldt, County Sheriff of Korsør 1516-23, Royal Stadholder in Sweden 1522, Stadholder of Sjælland 1522 when Christian 2 left the country. 1524 he had to surrender Copenhagen to Frederik 2 and went abroad for some years, until he joined Frederik 2 and was given Vordingborg as a tenancy 1525 and finally Councillor of the Realm at the time of his death. In 1537 she was given 13 farms in Rønnebæk and 11 in the surroundings. She was mother of 3 children, and (d. after 1551).

 

1532-59 County Sheriff Elline Stensdatter Bille of Fredsgård with Tømmerup at Halsnæs, Denmark

Eline or Elline Bille was widow of Bispelensmand Morids Skave (d. 1532), who was appointed Holder of the Tenantcy of the Bishop of Roskilde circa 1520.

After the reformation in 1536 she is granted the fief for life by the king who had taken over all the estates owned by the Catholic Church (Krongods). She (d. 1559).

 

1533-38 (†) Regent Dowager Grand Duchess Yelena Vasilevna Glinskaya of Russia

Елена Васильевна Глинская or Elena Glinskaya, assumed power in the name of her 3 year old son Ivan IV, later known as “the Terrible”. Her brother-in-law, Yuri, challenged his rights to the throne, was arrested and imprisoned in a dungeon. She deposed a member of the regency-council, Prince George III of Dimitrov, and had another brother-in-law killed, but a short time afterwards she suddenly died, almost surely poisoned. A week later her confidant, Prince Ivan Obolensky, was arrested and beaten to death by his jailers. She was not very interested in her son, who was left to the care of Agrafena Oblenskaya, who was imprisoned in a convent, and he was neglected during the rest of his upbringing. She lived (circa 1506-38).

 

1533-66 Margravine Margherita Palaiologina of Monferrato
1540-50 Regent of Mantova
1540-60 Sovereign Countess of Carmagnola (Italy)

In 1530 her brother, Bonifacio IV (1512-18-30), had been succeeded by their uncle, the former Bishop Giangiorgio Sebastiano, and she and her older

sisters became heiresses presumptives. After her sister Maria had divorced Federico II di Mantova and entered the Convent of Casale, Margherita took over her claims to the Margravate and married Federico, who was given the title of Margrave of Mantova in 1536. After his death she became regent for their son Gugliermo jointly with brother-in-law, Cardinal Ercole. She lived (1510-66).

 

1533-53 Regent Dowager Countess Walburga von Brederode of Bentheim and Steinfurt (Germany)
1553-68 Reigning Dowager Lady of the Office and Castle of Gronau in Bentheim-Steinfurt

Her husband, Arnold II von Bentheim-Steinfurt died after 3 years of marriage and left her in charge of the government in the name of her son. She took over the castle of Gronau as her personal income in 1537. After her death, her daughter Agnes was in dispute with Anna von Bentheim-Steinfurt (Regent of Bentheim-Tecklenburg-Rheda) over the possession until 1571. She lived (1512-68).

 

Until 1533 Sovereign Princess Louise de Coëtivy of Mortagne-sur-Gironde, Countess de Taillebourg, Baroness de Royan (France)

Her father, Charles de Coetivy, was styled prince of Mortagne in 1487. She married Charles de La Trémoïlle, prince de Talmon in 1501. She lived (1481-1533).

 

 

1533-77 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Duchess Margarete von Brandenburg of the Administrative Unit and Town of Tribsee in Pommern (At the time part of Germany, now Poland)

Second wife of Georg I von Pommern (1493-1531) who died after 1 year of marriage. Mother of one daughter, Georgia (1531-74), who later married

Stanislaus Latalski Count von Labischin, Stardost von Inowrazlaw und Schlochau. Margareta settled her dowry with her stepson, Phillip, and moved there in 1533. She was daughter of Elector Joachim von Brandenburg and Elisabeth of Denmark, and lived (1511-77).

 

1533-36 Princess-Abbess Katharina II von Redwitz of Obermünster in Regensburg (Germany)

It is not certain who she was elected to succeed.

 

1533-45 Reigning Abbess Antoniette I de Noyelle of Bourbourg, Lady of Oxelaere, Noordpeene, Faumont and Coutiches (France)

Succeeded her relative, Adrienne de Noyelle.

 

1533-36 County Sheriff Hilleborg Pedersdatter Bille of the Counties of Kirkendrup and Fremmeløv, Denmark

Her husband, Laurids Tinhuus Skinkel, whose mother, Margrethe Friis, held the tenancy 1480-1502, had it confirmed for both of them for life in 1523, and she took charge after his death. Their daugther, Anna Skinkel married Frans Brockenhuus, who took over after her death. She lived (1474-1536).

 

1534 or 1547 Regent Dowager Queen Maha Tewi of Lan Xang (Laos)

King Photisarath, who reigned (1520-1547), was devoted to Buddhism but failed to eradicate animism and witchcraft. To improve trade with Siam and

Annam he moved his capital to Vientiane. After Chiangmai’s line of kings was ended by assassination in 1543, Photisarath accepted the crown for his young son Sethathirat and sent a regent. Siam’s King Phrajai led an army but was persuaded by her to return home. After Photisarath died in 1547, Sethathirat had to go back to Lan Xang to prevent his brothers from partitioning the kingdom, and Phrajai invaded again. She fought back, and the Siamese army retreated and was routed by the Laos army. Sethathirat managed to withstand Burmese invasions, first by fleeing to Ayutthaya and then by moving his capital to Vientiane in 1563. After he died in 1570, Burmese king Bayinnaung had Sethathirat’s brother Oupahat put on the throne in 1575, replacing Sethathirat’s father-in-law Saensurin.

 

1534-34 Acting Governor Ana Pimentel of the Capitania de São Vicente (Brazil)

Her husband, Martim Afonso de Sousa, arrived in Brazil and explored the country in 1531. He founded the first formal Portuguese settlement in the village of São Vicente, and in 1533 he left her in charge of the administration as he left for Portugal. The following year the captaincies system was introduced and she became the Acting Capitana, and besides sugar cane plantations, she also stimulated cattle breeding in the region. Her husband never returned to Brazil.

 

1534 Joint Sovereign Lady Rosina von Wildenstein of Breitenegg (Germany)

The daughter of Alexanders II von Wildenstein, she inherited half of the Lordship. Succeeded by husband, Karl von Welden.

 

1534-52 Joint Regent Dowager Sovereign Lady Amalie von Leisnig zu Penig of Schönburg and Hertenstein, the Lordships of Glauchau, Waldenburg and Lichtenstein, and the Estates of Hohnstein, Lohmen, Wehlen and Kriebstein (Germany)

As part of the guardianship for her sons, Johann Ernst, Georg, Hugo and Wolf she was able to expand the possessions that her husband, Ernst II, had collected: The secularized Convent of Remse, the Lordship Klösterle in Bohmia and Rochsburg in Sachsen. In 1542 Lutheranism was introduced in the lordships.

 

1534-49 Reigning Lady Constanza Sarmiento de Herrera y Peraza of Fuerteventura and Parts of Lanzarote (Spain)

Reigned jointly with her cousin and husband, Pedro Fernandez de Saavedra, af after the death of her father, Sancho de Herrera (Died 23 October 1534). Her granddaughter, Constanza de Herrera Rojas y Béthencourt, succeeded to the title of Second Marquesa of Lanzarote in 1568. Her mother was Catalina de Escobar de las Roelas, and she lived (1460-1549).

 

1534-51 Princess-Abbess Sibylla von Montfort-Rotenfels of Essen (Germany)

As the territory got more character of an actual state, three estates developed like in other German States, with the Ladies of the Chapter constituting the First Estate. The Second Estate was the Male Canons in the Male Chapter and the Third Estate was constituted by the Office-Holders (Ministerials) of the Chapter and State, who were of low nobility. The three estates were constituted the members of the Landtag (Local Diet). She was daughter of Count Hugo von Montfort and Countess Anna von Zweibrücken, and her sister, Margarete II, was abbess of Buchau (1540-56/59).

 

1534-43 Princess-Abbess Kunigunde II von Geroldseck und Sulz of Säckingen (Germany)

Kellerin (In charge of the winery) when the Election Chief appointed by the Bishop of Konstantz proclaimed her the winner of an election, during which the different factions within the chapter asked their relatives for assistance, the government of Vorderösterreich and the Bishop tried to influence the result. The disputes within the chapter continued during her reign. She was daugter of Gangolf von Hohengeroldseck und Sulz, Lord of Hohengeroldseck and Schenkelzele and Countess Kunigund von Montford. (d. 1543).

 

1534-75 Reigning Abbess Louise I de Bourbon of the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud (France)

A woman of sincere but gloomy piety, and during her tenure the order suffered many losses at the hands of the Protestants, who even besieged the great abbey itself, though without success. Many nuns apostatized, but twelve more houses were reformed. She was daughter of Marie de Luxembourg, Sovereign Countess of Saint Pôl, Ligny, de Marle, Soissons and Conversano, Sovereign Princess of Condé-en-Brie etc. (1472-82-1546) and François de Bourbon, Count of Vendôme.

 

1534-36 and 1555-56 Acting County Sheriff Kirstine Jepsdatter Friis of the County of Ørum with 4 Shires in Thy, Denmark

Either known as Karen or Kirstine Friis, she took over the tenantcy after husband, Holger Holgersen Rosenkrantz til Boller was killed

in battle during the civil war known as The Count’s Feud (Grevens Fejde). Also acted as Lensmand after the death of second husband, Gabriel Gyldenstjerne, who had become the next County Sheriff. Mother of one daughter, Else Holgerdatter Rosenkrantz. She (d. 1565).

 

1534-35 Joint County Sheriff Anna Markvardsdatter Rønnov of the County of Ruggård with the Shire of Skovsby, the County of Løgismose and the City of Skelskør, Denmark

Anna Rønnov til Løgismose was appointed together with her her husband, Johan Jørgensen Urne, who died in 1537 in prison and was deprived of his possessions because of his in role the civil war (Feud of the Count). Her mother, Mette Hardenberg was County Sheriff of Sallng and Sunds Herreds from around 1506. (d. before 1572).

 

1535-37 Sovereign Baroness Caecilia Sangredo of Naupila (Greece)

Reigned Jointly with Bernardo Sangredo. The island had been in the hands of Venezia 1531-35.

 

1535-83 Princess-Abbess Anna VIII Wittmeyer of Baindt (Germany)

In 1560 the church of the chapter got a new arch in the late gothic style, and in 1573 the General Abbott Nicholas I Bucherat demanded that the chapter and its rules were reformed.

 

1535-36 Acting Country Sheriff Kirsten Pedersdatter Lykke of the County of the Shire of Gislum, Denmark

Kirsten Lykke took over the administration after the death of her father, Councillor of the Realm, Peder Hanssøn Lykke. Together with her sister, Anne, she inherited Nørlund. But together with her second husband, Christoffer Urne, she bought her sister’s part. After his death in 1566, she ran the estate alone until her own death. (d. 1570).

 

1535-37 Acting County Sheriff Mette Mogensdatter Gøye of the County of Ravnsborg, Denmark

Mette Gøye was daughter of Mogens Gøye til Krenkerup and after the death of her husband, Johan Oxe til Nielstrup, she acted as

County Sheriff or Lensmand until her own death one year later. Mother of 1 daughter, Pernille Johansdatter Oxe (b. 1530).

 

1535 Acting County Sheriff Ellen Andersdatter Gøye of Vissenbjerg Birk and the County of Æbelø etc., Denmark
1556 Abbess of Maribo Kloster

Ellen Gøye was married to Jørgen Henningsen Quitzow til Sandager and Jerstrup, Rugård og Æbelø, who was Chancellor of the Realm 1537-44, until his death. She became the first Abbesses of the Lutheran Chapter for Noble Ladies Maribo, which was opned 20 year after it’s Catholic predecessor was closed during the reformation. As Abbess she functioned more or less as a local County Sheriff (Lensmand) and held the jurisdiction of those who lived at the large estates of the Chapter. She was mother of 2 children, and (d. after 1558).

 

1535-53 County Sheriff Cecilie Nielsdatter Lange Munk of the Parish of Hillerslev, Denmark

Cecilie Lange (Also known as Sidsel) was widow of Anders Reventlow til Søbo, who was in office from 1527 until his death 1535. The tenantcy was owned jointly by the brothers, Jacob and Knud Reventlow 1553-61.

 

1535 Acting County Sheriff Inger Olufsdatter Falster of Øster Thisted Birk, Denmark

Inger Flaster was widow of Laurids Madsen Vasspyd til Ålestrup and Rudbjergård and Judge in Lolland. It is not known when he took office, but he followed Karen, who held it as security for loans sometime in the begining of the 1500s. Mother of several children. She (d. after 1551).

 

Before 1535 Overseer of the Crown Lands Anna Jasińska of Małogoszcz, Poland

Held the office of starościna niegrodowa jointly with her husband.

 

1535-37 Overseer of the Crown Lands Katarzyna Słupska of Małogoszcz, Poland

Appointed by the king as administrator of the area.

 

1536-39 Queen Bakwa Turunku of Zaria and Abuja (Nigeria)

Succeeded grandfather king Nohir Tuknariki, succeeded first by son-in-law Karama then by two daughters, Amina and Zaria.

 

1536-41 Reigning Dowager Duchess Anna of Münsterberg of Sagan in Slesia (Poland)

Also known as Anna of Schlesia-Sagan, she was married to Prince Karl I Albrecht of Münsterberg-Oels (1476-1536) (Karel z Minstrberka) and reigned in Münsterberg after his death. She lived (1483-1541).

 

1536-40 Joint Guardian Dowager Lady Magdalena von Mansfeld of Lippe (Germany)

After the death of her husband, Simon V, she became guardian for her 8-year-old son, Bernhard VIII, the 15. Noble Lord to Lippe and 2. Count to Lippe (Edler Herr und Graf zur Lippe), and Count Adolf von Schaumburg, Koadjutors von Köln, Count Jobst von Hoya were regents until 1538. She lived (1509-40).

 

1536-42 Princess-Abbess Wandula von Schaumberg of Obermünster in Regensburg (Germany)

It is not certain who succeeded her, but Barbara II von Sandizell reigned until 1564.

 

1536-39 and 1543-55 Reigning Abbess-General Isabel de Navarra y Mendoza of the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos (Spain)

Member of a sideline of the royal family of Navarra.

 

1536 Acting County Sheriff Karen Nielsdatter Lange Munk of the County of Holmegård, Denmark

Karen Lange (also known as Karine) was widow of Kjeld Iversen Juel (d. 1536), who was appinted County Sheriff of the Bishop Tenantcy (Bispelensmand) of Holmgaard in Bølle Herred by his brother, Bishop Hartvig Juel of Roskilde. She (d. 1555).

 

1536-37 County Sheriff Sophie Olufsdatter Gøye of the County of Havelse, Denmark

Sophie Gøye was appointed county sheriff by the local bishop (Bispelensmand). After her death, the tenantcy reverts to the king. Probably widow of Henning Venstermand, who exists in the records until 1496. She (d. 1537).

 

1537-99 Margarethe von der Marck, by the Grace of God, Countess of Arenberg
1576-99 Sovereign Princess-Countess of Arenberg (Germany)

Also known as Margaretha or Marguerite de La Marck d’Arenberg, she succeeded her brother, Robert III, as the sole heir of the Dutch House van der

Marck. She was married to Jean de Ligne, Baron de Barbancon, who was named Reichsgraf von Arenberg in 1549 – he died in battle in 1568, and she vigorously defended her territory from invading forces. In 1571 emperor Maximillian II confirmed the “Reichsunmittelbarkeit” – position as an Imperial immediacy, which meant that the territory was under the direct authority of the Holy Roman Emperor and the Imperial Diet, without any intermediary Liege lord and therefore had the right to collect taxes and tolls and held juridical rights. In 1576 both she and her son were granted the title of Reichsfürst/in (Gefürstete Gräfin or Fürstgräfin). She was given the right to mint her own money, and though she was of Dutch birth, she was very preoccupied with the governing of her German realm. Among others she fought against witch-hunts and backed industry and education. She lived (1527-99).

 

1537-60 Sovereign Duchess Adrienne II of Estouteville (France)

Daughter of Jean III, Seigneur d’Estouteville, and married François de Bourbon-Vendôme, Duc d’Estouteville and Count of Saint-Pôl, and was succeeded by daughter, Marie de Bourbon-Saint-Pôl, Countess of St. Pol from 1546. She lived (1512-60).

 

1537-57 Reigning Dowager Lady Elisabeth zu Hessen of the Castle, City and Administrative Unit of Rochlitz, the Castle and Administrative Unit of Kriebstein with the cities of Waldheim and Hartha in Sachsen (Germany)

Also known as Elisabeth von Rochlitz, she received the lordships as dowry after the death of her husband, Johann zu Sachsen (1498-1537). She was the first territorial ruler in Germany to give her citizen freedom of confession and conscience, but her father-in-law, Duke Georg of Sachsen, “makes sure” that she is excommunicated, which meant that all citizen were declared free and she was no longer under princely protection. But she accepted the Evangelical preacher Magister Schütz aus Kassel, who was send to her lordship by her brother, Landgrave Philipp von Hessen, who had already introduced the reformation in her lands. She was a very effective administrator and developed her fief economically and culturally. She lived (1502-57).

 

 

1537-40 Sovereign Countess Anne de Husson of Tonnerre, Dame de Husson, d’Ancy-le-Franc, de Laignes, de Cruzy, de Chassignelles and de Ravières (France)

Succeeded nephew, Louis IV de Husson and married to Bernardin de Clermont, vicomte de Tallart, succeeded by daughter, Louise de Clermont, and lived (1475-1540).

 

1537-circa 54 Lady Regnant Anna von Haracourt of Bettingen, Dollendorf, Fischbach, Falkenstein and Everlingen (Germany)

Already old when she inherited the “Haracourt Inheritance” from the last male of the family, Count Wilhelm von Haracourt-Dollendorf-Brandenburg. Her daughter Anna von Solm, Heiress of Dollendorf (d. 1557), married as his second wife, Count Jakob von Manderscheid-Kail, and Anna von Haracourt declared that her granddaughter, Anna von Manderscheid (1630-61) should be her sole heir, but in the end the inheritance was divided among the Manderscheid-Kail and Solm families.

 

1537-65 Sovereign Duchess Anne de Pisseleu of Étampes (France)

Created Duchess jointly with husband, Jean de Brosse. She was mistress of King François I.

 

1537-4. County Sheriff Christence Jensdatter Ulfstand of Krønge Birk, Denmark

Christence Ulfstand was widow of Tønne Tønnesen Viffert. She later withdrew to Skt. Clara Kloster (Convent). The mother of 4 children, she (d. before 1545).

 

1537-40 County Sheriff Maren of the County of Holbækgård, Denmark

Widow of Anders Jacobsen Bjørn, who had been granted the tenantcy for both of them for life in 1527. Her background is unknown.

 

Until 1537 County Sheriff Anne Jonsdatter Viffert of Bækmark Mølle, Denmark

Anne Viffert was widow of Markvard Eilersen Juel (Krabbe-Juel). Held the Mill as a tenantcy from the bishop of Ribe, and handed it over to her son, Bertel Juel just before her son. She (d. 1537).

 

1537-43 Politically Influential Maria Salviati of Firenze and Toscana (Italy)

Instrumental in ensuring that her son, Cosimo I de’ Medici was chosen to succeed her cousin, Alessandro de Medici, who had been assassinated, by

predicating her right to be involved in deliberations to choose a new ruler on her authority as the young’s man mother- Her husband, Giovanni dalle Bande Nere, had died in 1526. She was the daughter of Lucrezia di Lorenzo de’ Medici and Jacopo Salviati, and lived (1499-1543).

 

Circa 1538-68 Rani Regnant Abbaka Devi of Ullal (India)

Succeeded Queen Abbaka Devi Chotwa, also known as Bucadevi I, and allied herself with Malabar Kings and feudal lords, challenging the Portuguese invasion into Mangalore. For three decades, she defied the Portuguese supremacy refusing to pay tribute to them. However, at the famous siege of Mangalore in 1568, the she and her Moorish allies suffered a crushing defeat by the Portuguese army. She was finally arrested and jailed. However, she revolted in the prison and died fighting.

 

Around1538 Governor Dildar Agha Begum of Bulandshahr (India)

An inscription from Bulandshahr records the construction of a mosque 1538 by Neki Khan during the governorship (‘amal) of a lady named Begam Dildar Aghacha, the 7th wife of Emperor Babur of India.

 

1538-67 Dowager Lady Dowager Countess Katharina von Henneberg-Schleusingen of Rudolstadt in Schwarzburg (Germany)

Known as Katharina the Brave (die Heldenmütige) for her opposition against the Duke of Alba. She was widow of Heinrich XXXII, Graf von

Schwarzburg-Blankenburg-Rudolstadt, daughter of of Wilhelm VII and Anastasia von Brandenburg and mother of 3 surviving daughters and 3 sons who died as children. She lived (1509-67).

 

1538-51 County Sheriff Ide Thomesdatter Lange of Estates in Vester Herred, Lydum etc., Denmark

Ide Lange was widow of of Morits Jepsen Sparre til Svanholm (d. 1534), who had first been married to Karine Pedersdatter Høeg Banner. Ide secondly married Henning Jørgen Qvistzow til Sandager.

 

1539-44 Acting Governor Inés de Bobadilla, Cuba (Spanish Colony)

Left in charge of the government when her husband, Hernando de Soto (1496/1500-42), left for an expedition during which he died in 1542. Two years later Juan de Avila was appointed governor.

 

 

Circa 1539-51 Reigning Countess Maddalena Sanseverino of Cajazzo, Lady of Serre and Persano (Italy)

Apparently she succeeded her brother. Her mother, Ippolita Cybo had been regent from 1532 and took over again after a few months in 1551. Married to Giulio Cesare Rossi in 1539, who became Count of Cajazzo (d. 1554) and was succeeded by son. She lived (circa 1520-1551).

 

Around 1539 Sovereign Countess Cathérine de Silly de la Roche Guyon of Rochefort, Dame de La Roche-Guyon (France)

Daughter of Charles de Silly and Philippe von Saarbrücken-Commercy and married to François de Rohan, Vicomte de Fronsac (d. 1559), who after her death married Renée de Rohan, who was the sister of Louis VI de Rohan, the husband of his daughter, Léonore, who succeeded her at a nok know time.

 

After 1539-83 Sovereign Countess Léonore de Rohan of Rochefort (France)

Succeeded her mother Cathérine at a not known time, and married to Louis VI. de Rohan (1540-1611), Prince de Guéméné, Comte de Montbazon etc., Her sister, Jacqueline inherited the title of Dame de Gié, and the youngest, Françoise-Diane, was Dame de Gillebourg. Mother of several children and lived (1539-83).

 

1539-62 Temporary Regent Duchess Eleonora Alvarez de Toledo of Firenze and Toscana (Italy)

Her husband, Cosimo I de’ Medici (1519-74), left her in charge of the government during his frequent absences from the Duchies. She encouraged the

arts, encouraged the Jesuit order to settle in Florence and also founded many new churches in the city. She was interested in agriculture and business, helping to expand and increase not only the profitability of the vast Medici estates, but also through her charitable interests the lot of the peasantry. She was daughter of the Viceroy of Naples, Don Pedro Álvarez de Toledo, the, Lieutenant-Governor of Carlos V, and Maria Osorio-Pimentel, 2, Marquessa de Villafranca, and lived (1522-62).

 

1539-47 Princess-Abbess Klara von Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel of Gandersheim (Germany)

In 1542 the Sclamalkaldic League forcibly introduced Protestantism to the area. In 1547 her father, Duke Heinrich of Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel, reintroduced the catholic faith, but only a few years later Lutheranism was permanently introduced by her brother, Duke Julius of Braunschweig (1528-1589). She was appointed in succession to her sister, Maria, who was Fürstäbtissin all her life (1521-39). Klara or Clara resigned in order to marry Duke Philipp II von Braunschweig-Grubenhagen (d. 1596). She lived (1532-95).

 

1539-53 Princess-Abbess Veronica Berenike Krel of Heggbach (Germany)

Her surname might also have been Kröhl. In August 1546 an Evangelical ordinance banned the ladies of the chapter to pray in the choir, to celebrate mass and take communion, but in December the Chapter is granted freedom of religion. She lived (1487-1559).

 

1539-43 Reigning Abbess-General María Esparanza de Aragón y Larrea of the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos (Spain)

Natural daughter of Fernando II the Catholic – the husband of Isabel I de Castilla. She lived (1477-1553).

 

1539-46 County Sheriff Inger Torbernsdatter Present of Rude and Stærrede, Denmark

Inger Present was in charge of the former bishop-tenantcy (bispelen) which now belonged to the crown after the reformation. She was widow of Erik Daa.

 

1539-44 County Sheriff Karen Hansdatter Breide of the County of Svendstrup, Denmark

Karen Breide til Kjeldet was bispelensmand – appointed by the bishop. She was married to Gunde Lange til Bregninge, Bølling og Holmegård (d. 1564). She was mother of 5 children, one of whom was Dorthe Lange, who was County Sheriff of Kalø in 1596. She (d. 1551).

 

154.. County Sheriff Gertrud Tønnesdatter Parsberg of Annisegård

Gertrud Parsberg held the tenantcy as security for lones in a period of 9 years. She was widow of Johan Bjørnsen Bjørn (d. 1534). She (d. 1552).

 

1540-41 Regent Dowager Queen Isabella Jagiello of Poland of Hungary
1541-51 and 1556-59 Regent of Transylvania and Siebenbürgen (Hungary)
1551-56 Sovereign Duchess of Troppau and Opelln in Slesia (Germany-Poland)

Her husband King János I Szapolyai (or Zápolya) of Hungary (1526-40) died two weeks before the birth of their son Janos II Zigismund Zapolyta (1540-71), and she began her struggle to keep the Hungarian throne as a widow queen and the guardian of her son, who was elected electus rex in the meantime. After the reoccupation of Buda in 1541, she had to go to Transylvania on the order of the Sultan, where she reigned over the territories under her authority. However, the real governor was György Martinuzzi. In the summer of 1551 she left Transylvania, which fell into the hands of Ferdinand Habsburg in accordance with the treaty of Nyírbátor, and handed over the insignia of the Kingdom to Ferdinand in exchange for Opelln and Troppau in Slesia. By the request of the Hungarian nobles, she returned to the country together with her son and her advisor, Mihály Csáky, in autumn 1556. After this she set up her Transylvanian chancellery with the help of Mihály Csáky, and the new state started to function, and she ruled until her death. She was daughter of Sigismund I of Poland, and mother Bona Sforza, she lived (1519-59).

 

 

1540-45 Regent Dowager Duchess Elisabeth von Brandenburg of Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel and Calenberg (Germany)
1540-58 Reigning Dowager Lady of Münden

After a few years as the second wife of Duke Erich I (1470-1540), she converted to Protestantism, promoted the Calvinist faith, and forced her husband

to have his mistress, Anna Rumschottle, burned as a witch. She held the regency jointly with Philipp von Hessen for son Erich II, and introduced Protestantism to the state during her reign. One year after her son took over the government she married Count Poppo XII. zu Henneberg in Thüringen (1513-1574) and continued to reign in her Dowry Münden, but in 1555 she moved to Henneberg. The daughter of Kurfürst Joachim I. and Elisabeth of Denmark (1485-1555), she was mother of a son and three daughters by her first husband and lived (1510-58).

 

1540-61 Regent Dowager Countess Anna von Oldenburg-Delmenhorst of Ostfriesland (Germany)

Widow of Enno II Cirksena and regent for three minor sons Edzard II (1532-40-93), Christoph (1536-66) and Johann (1538-91). Anna’s government was supported by the States and favoured a bi-confessional co-existence system. Personally she was in favour of the reformation, but she remained neutral because the nobility was split more or less fifty-fifty between Lutheranism and “Zwinglianismus”. She also tolerated both Catholics and Spiritualists, and it was only after pressure from the Emperor that she banned the Mennonites (Baptists) in 1549. She concentrated on consolidating the territory and used her diplomatic skills and will to compromise. Her most important advisor was her brother, Christoph von Oldenburg. In 1558 she decided that her three sons should govern the territory jointly after her regency was over, as a way to limit the influence of the House of Vasa after the marriage of Edzard to Princess Katharina of Sweden. She lived (1501-75).

 

1540-92 Sovereign Countess Louise de Clermont-Tallard of Tonnerre (France)

Succeeded mother, Anne de Husson, who reigned from 1537, and mamaged to buy the remaining parts of the County from the other

heirs. She was brought up with the royal children, was Maiden-of-honor to Louise de Savoie, and a close confidante of Catherine de’ Medici and became influential during the latters regency and among other served as go-between for Catherine de’ Medici and Elizabeth I of England during one of the many attempts to negotiate the marriage to one of the royal sons of France. She was first married François Du Bellay and had a son, Henri (1540-54) and 1556, she married Antoine de Crussol, enabling him to raise the title of Baron of Uzès to that of count, then duke in 1565 and peer in 1572. Succeeded by nephew and lived (1496-1592).

 

Circa 1540-69 Sovereign Countess Charlotte de Brosse of Penthièvre (France)

Her father, René de Brosse, was killed in Italy in 1525. She was married Francois II of Luxembourg. Her son, Sébastien de Luxembourg-Saint-Pôl, got the title of Duke of Penthièvre, and was succeeded by daughter Marie in 1579.

 

1540-59 Politically Influential Empress Sabla Wangal of Ethiopia

Widow of emperor Lebna Dengel [or Wanag Sagad or Dawit II] and the political advisor of her son Galawdewos [Atsnaf Sagad I]. Also known as Seble Uengel, she was the daughter of a father from northern Tigre and a mother from Simien (d. 1568).

 

1540-59 Politically Influential Princess Ameta Giyorgis of Ethiopia

Influential during the reign of her brother, Gelawdenos. Daughter of Emperor Lebna Dengel.

 

1540-56 Princess-Abbess Margarethe II von Montfort of Buchau (Germany)

At the time of her election, the economic situation of the convent was very bad, and she was preoccupied with the restoration. At the Assembly of the Swabian Circle (Kreistag) in 1542, she voted just after the Prelates and the Abbess of Rottenmünster. Two years later she was represented by Mr. Weingarten and Mr. Marchtal. The same year she signed a decision of the Imperial Diet (Reichstagsabscheid) and in 1555 she was represented in the Imperial Diet by the Counts of Swabia. She was daughter of Count Hugo von Montfort and Anna von Zweibrücken, and her sister, Sibylle, had been Princess-Abbess of Essen since 1533.

 

1540-45 County Sheriff Anne Arvidsdatter Trolle of Åsum with Gers Herred and Elleholm Len (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)
1540-41 Acting County Sheriff of Sølvitsborg Len with Medelsta, Vester or Bregne and Lister Herreds in Blekinge
1540-57 County Sheriff Elleham in Blekinge

Anne Trolle was widow of Axel Eriksen Urup til Ugerup, who was Lensmand or County Sheriff of Sölvesborg etc. until his death. After his death she was

in charge of the two fiefs in Skåne, which was incorporated in Sweden in 1658.

 

1540-41 Acting County Sheriff Anne Henriksdatter Friis of the County of Åstrup with the Shires of Vennebjerg and Jerslev, Denmark

Anne Friis was the second wife of Ove Vincentsen Lunge, who had 3 daughters with his first wife, Karen Rosenkrantz and 8 children by her.

 

1540 Acting County Sheriff Christine Johansdatter Urne of the County of Amtofte, Denmark

Kristine or Christine Urne was widow of Iver Hansen Skeel til Palsgård and Nygård. She (d. after 1545).

 

1540-55 County Sheriff Berte Eggertsdatter Ulfeldt of Herrested Birk, Denmark

Beate or Berte Ulfeldt was widow of Niels Evertsen Bild til Ranvholt, who had the tenantcy granted with the specification that she would keep it for 5 years after his death, and for their children 5 years after her death. She lived (d. 1555).

 

1541 Governor Beatriz de la Cueva de Alvarado of Guatemala (Spanish Colony)

After the death of her husband, Pedro de Alvarado, she manoeuvred her own election and became the only woman to govern a major American political

division in Spanish times. A young and ambitious woman who styled herself the Hapless One (La Sin Ventura), she was drowned a few weeks after assuming office in the destruction of Ciudad Vieja by a sudden flood from the volcano Agua. She was succeeded by brother, Francesco de la Cueva y Villacreces, Governor 1540-41 and 1541-42.

 

1541-50 Regent Dowager Marchioness Jacoba de Croÿ of Bergen-op- Zoom (The Netherlands)

Jacoba van Croy, markgravin van Bergen was in charge of the margravate after the death of her husband, Antoon, who was lord from 1532 and Marquess from 1533. Her son Jan IV van Glymes took over as regent in 1550 at the age of 22. Jacoba (d. 1559).

 

1541-61 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Duchess Katharina von Mecklenburg-Schwerin of the Castle and Office of Wolkenstein in Sachsen (Germany)

An early supporter of Martin Luther, she was in opposition to her brother-in-law, Duke Georg of Mecklenburg, who tried to bribe her to remain Catholic. Her husband, Heinrich von Sachsen-Freiberg, at first suppressed Lutheranism, but Freiberg became Lutheran. After Gerorg’s death in 1539 they moved to Dresden and introduced the reformation here. Heinrich died in 1551, and she spent the rest of her life in her dowry, the Castle and Office of Wolkenstein. She was mother of six children, and lived (1477-1561).

 

1541-42 Acting County Sheriff Sidsel Timmesdatter Rosenkrantz of the County of Vesterherred, Denmark

Sidsel Rosenkrantz was widow of Erik Krumedige. She (d. 1557).

 

1541-51 Acting County Sheriff Anne Nielsdatter Rosenkrantz of Båstad in Skåne (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Anne Rosenkrantz was widow of Tyge Krabbe who held it as security for lones to King Frederik I. Her son-in-law, Peder Skram paid it off. She lived (circa 1490-1551).

 

Until 1541 Acting County Sheriff Elline Corfitzdatter Rønnov of Askimne in Halland (At the time Denmark, now Sweden)

Ellen or Elline Rønnow was widow of Claus Ågesen Thott til Hjuleberga (d. circa 1522). She held a number of separate estates 1523-24. She (d. before 1544).

 

1541 Acting County Sheriff Kirsten Hansdatter Holck of the County of Ellinge, Denmark

Kirsten Holck til Barritskov was first married Peder Lauridsen Baden and follwed him as holder of the bishoply tenantcy. (Bispelensmand) Her second husband was Steen Brahe til Knudstrup. She (d. circa 1599).

 

1541-44 County Sheriff Dorthe Hennekesdatter Sehested of Ellinge Bispelen and the County of Årupgård, Denmark

Dorthe Sehested was daughter of Hennk Sehested, who had not been Lensmand of the tenantcy (Bispelensmand). She first married Otto Drewe, then Mikkel Grape and finally Mogens Kaas til Brendore. (d. 1579).

 

1541-69 County Sheriff Susanne Eilersdatter Bølle of Marup Len
1563-65 Acting County Sheriff of Stege Len

Susanne Bølle was daughter of Eiler Bølle (d. 1534) and Anne Bildsdatter (Bild) til Hellerup and inherited Nakkebølle around 1534, she

was first married to Claus Eriksen (Ravensberg) (d. 1541) secondly to Claus Eriksen Ravensberg til Kindholm and finally to Jacob Brockenhuus, and was in charge of the fief during her husband, admiral Jakob Brokenhuus’ imprisonment in Sweden. She (d. 1569).

 

1542-67 Princess-Abbess Maria von Hohenlandenberg of Gutenzell (Germany)

The chapter was founded in 1230, started the process of independence in 1417 and in around 1521 the Abbess achieved the rank of Princess of the Realm.

 

1542-51 Acting County Sheriff Sophie Pedersdatter Lykke of the County of Holmekloster, Denmark
1560-63 and 1563-70 County Sheriff of the County of Lister, Norway

Sophie Lykke was married to Councillor of the Realm, Jacob Hardenberg, who died 1542. Thereafter she administered the possessions of her three young daughters together with her own lands. She was very unpopular. Her peasants protested to the king against her, and in 1557 she was convicted of illegally selling cattle. In 1560 she was given Lister Len as security for a lone, and moved to Norway. Also here the peasants complained against her, and she broke the ban against exporting timber abroad, and she lost the fief, but managed to get it back later the same year, because of her good connections. She lived (circa 1510-70).

 

 

1542-44 County Sheriff Maren Christiansdatter Spend of the County of Oksvang, Denmark

Maren Spend was widow of Hans Lange Munk, who had died already in 1535.

 

Around 1542-.. County Sheriff Birgitte Iversdatter Dyre of theCounty of Thodbøl, Denmark

Birgitte Dyre was widow of Enevold Stykke, who had been granted the tenantcy by Bishop Niels Stykke. She bought the estate in 1544, and lived (circa 1510-after 72).

 

1542-64 County Sheriff Ermegaard Andersdatter Bille of Øster Velling Birk
1563-64 County Sheriff of Viskumsgård with Synderlyng Herred, Denmark

Ermegaard Bille was widow Jørgen Podebusk. She paid off the other heirs and was granted Østervelling for life, and held Viskumsgård as security for lones (Pantelen). She (d. 1564).

 

 

1542-71 Joint County Sheriff Catharine Markvardsdatter Buchwald of Harridslevgård, Denmark

Catharine Buchwald was appointed jointly with husband, Jørgen Svave. They both (d. 1571).

 

 

1542-69 Influential International Banker Gracia Mendes Nasi in Europe and the Ottoman Empire

Also known by her Christianized name Beatrice de Luna Miques, she inherited the enormous Mendes fortune after the death of her brother-in-law, Diego in 1542, whom she had joined in Antwerpen after the death of her husband, Francisco whose wealthy Spanish Jewish banking family had also fled the Inquisition and settled in Portugal. She then took over the management of the international banking empire and continued using the family’s contacts and resources to help Jews escape the Inquisition, and this meant that she and her remaining family were constantly in danger. Over the next 11 years, she moved across Europe with her daughter, her sister, and her daughter- and son-in-law, travelling from Antwerp through France, Italy, and Turkey. The Inquisition pursued them, local rulers relentlessly crying heresy and attempting to confiscate their fortune. With diplomacy, shrewdness, and business acumen, she managed to escape each assault and continue building the family business. She and her family finally reached Turkey in 1553, where they settled near Constantinople. In 1558 she leased Tiberias, in Palestine, from Sultan Suleiman, for a yearly fee of 1000 ducats and, in 1561, her nephew and son-in-law, Joseph Nasi obtained ruling authority over Tiberias and Safed, developing major new centres of Jewish settlement.. She lived (1510-1569).

 

1543-52 Regent Dowager Sultana Bat’ial Dël Wanbara of Harrar (Ethiopia)

Also known as Bati Del Wambara she was ruled the territory after her husband, Imam Ahmad died in battle. She reigned jointly with ‘Ali Jarad. She had accompanied her husband on his expeditions of conquest in the Christian highlands. At times she had to be carried on their shoulders up and down steep and rocky mountain slopes, twice in a state of pregnancy. She gave birth to Muhammad in 1531 and Ahmad two years later. After the defeat and death of her husband and the capture of her young son Muhammad, she fled to the northwest of Lake Tana, and eventually succeeded in returning to Harar, then at the centre of Adal power. Her first task was to make arrangements for the exchange of her eldest son Muhammad for Emperor Galawdewo’s brother, Minas. Del Wanbara was determined to revenge her husband’s death and, nine years later, agreed to marry the Emir of Harar, Nur Ibn Mujahid, son of her first husband’s sister, seeing in him the best prospect of achieving her aim. Emir Nur began by rebuilding Harar, which had been sacked, and enclosed the town with a wall, which can be seen to this day. Having reorganized his forces, he undertook a new conquest of the Christian highlands and, in 1559, killed Emperor Galawdewos in battle. She was daughter of Imam Mehefuz, governor of Zayla and de facto ruler of the state of Adal. She married Imam Ahmad and, ignoring the protests of his soldiers.

 

1543-56 Politically Active Guardian Dowager Duchess Emilie von Sachsen of Brandenburg-Ansbach (Germany)

 

Also known as Aemilie, and after the death of her husband, Georg the Pious, she was guardian of their son, Georg Friedrich (1539-1603), who reigned under the regency of the Electors of Brandenburg and Sachsen and Landgrave of Hessen until 1556. She gave him a good scientific and humanistic education. She must have spend the rest of her life administering her dowry lands, but I have found no specific informations about this. She lived (1516-91).

 

 

1543-66 Princess-Abbess Amalia von Leisser of Göss bei Leoben (Austria)

Member of a noble family.

 

 

1543-49 Princess-Abbess Magdalena von Hausen of Säckingen (Germany)

The last known decree from her is from 1547 and according to legent she tried to eleope in order to marry Thomas Leimer, former Diacon of Schpfheim, but instead she was kept prisoner and resigned 1549, but remained in the chapter until she bought her freedom in 1558 and moved to Basel. She had entered the chapter together with her sister Genoveva in 1514 and lost her position temporarily in 1524 because of her Protestant sympaties. Daughter of Sixt von Hausen and Sigone von Freiberg.

 

1543-83 Reigning Abbess Renée de Bourbon de Vendôme of Chelles (France)

The daughter of Charles de Bourbon, duc de Vendôme et de Françoise d’Alençon de Beaumont, she lived (1527-83).

 

1543-59 Reigning Abbess Louise de Longwy-Givny of the Royal Abbey of Jouarre (France)

Succeeded her aunt, Madeleine d’Orléans. Daughter of Jean de Longwy-Givny, Seigneur de Givny etc. and Jeanne d’Orléans, the daughter of Charles d’Angoulême and Jeanne de Polignac.

 

1544 Governor of the Realm Queen Katherine Parr of England (United Kingdom)

Very learned and inclined towards the reformed doctrines and successfully interceded for many so-called ‘heretics,’ who would otherwise have suffered

death. She also induced Henry VII, her third husband, to restore, to Royal rank, the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth whose legitimacy his remarkable matrimonial arrangements had left in doubt. Henry named Catherine as Regent when he designed an expedition to France in 1544. Her main functions, in the last two years of her husband’s reign, were those of his nurse as he suffered agonies of pain from an ulcer in his leg. After his death in 1547, she married Thomas Seymour, Lord Sudley, and died giving birth her first child, named Mary, the year after. She lived (1512-48).

 

1544-60 Governor Brites de Albuquerque of Pernambuco (Brazil)

Widow of Duarte Coelho Periera (1534-44) and succeeded by son Duarte Coelho de Albuquerque, who was governor for the Portuguese King (1560-72).

 

Around 1544 Datuk Lampe Ellong of Supa (Indonesia)

Granddaughter of Dom Joao, and sucessor of her father, married La Cellamata and was succeeded by Princess Tosappae.

 

1544-68 Princesse-Abbesse Marguerite IV d’Haraucourt dite d’Ubexy of Remiremont (France)

Around 1520 Madeleine de Choiseul had resigned as Princess-Abbess in her favour, but Marguerite de Neufchâtel prevailed in the powerstruggle in 1528. After her death in 1544 she was succeeded by Madame de Choiseul, who was in office for a few months before she died and Marguerite d’Haraucourt finally was able to take office as the 42nd Princess-Abbess. She was also known by the surname of d’Ubex because her family owned the castle Ubexy, which had been inherited by Elisabeth d’Haraucourt in 1543, the wife of Nicolas du Châtelet, who had no children. She was the 42nd Abbess of the Chapter. In 1565 the war of “panonceaux” broke out between Duke Charles III of Lorraine and the ladies of the chapter, who used the Imperial Eagles in the city shield to show their independence. Charles profited by the fact that Emperor Maximillan II was tied up in Hungary and used force to have his sovereignty recognised.

 

1544-87 Sovereign Lady Ermgard van Wisch of Wisch op Oud-Wisch, Wildenborch, Overhagen and Lichtenvoorde (The Netherlands)
1552-58 Regent Dowager Countess of Limburg-Stirum
1553-87 Hereditary Countess of Bronckhorst and Borculo

Inherited the family’s possessions in Wisch after the death of her brother, Joachim, but her mother, Waldburga van den Bergh was allowed to reside in the castle for life. After the death of her husband, Georg von Limburg in Stirum (1500-52), she was regent for son, Herman George, Graaf van Limburg en Bronckhorst, heer in Stirum, Wisch en Borculo (1540-74), who later married to Maria von Hoya (1534-1612). Finally she inherited the possessions of her uncle, Count Joost van Bronckhorst-Borculo. She (d. 1587).

 

1544-? Politically influential Mihrumâh Sultana of the Ottoman Empire

Only daughter of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent and Hürrem Sultan, who adored her, and complained with her every wish. She married Rüstem Pasha, Governor-General of Diyarbakýr, who was shortly afterwards appointed grand vizier. According to Ottoman historians, she, together with her mother and husband conspired to bring about the death of Sehzade Mustafa, who stood in the way of her influence over her father. The fact that she encouraged her father to launch the campaign against Malta, promising to build 400 galleys at her own expense; that like her mother she wrote letters to the King of Poland; and that on her father’s death she lent 50.000 gold sovereigns to Sultan Selim to meet his immediate needs, illustrate the political power which she wielded. Her husband was grand vizier in the periods 1544-1553 and 1555-1561, and she and her mother formed an inner circle in the government, which evidently influenced the sultan’s decisions particularly in issues concerning the succession and the future of the sultanate. They were accused of putting pressure on her father to execute his eldest surviving son, Mustafa. At that critical point when he was faced with open protest from the army and negative public opinion following the murder of Mustafa, her father was forced to replace his her husband in the position of Grand Vizirate with Kara Ahmed Pasha, a war hero and favorite of the army. But within two years under pressure from the inner circle under Hürrem, Kara Ahmed was eliminated and Rustem resumed the Grand Vizierate, keeping the office until his death in 1561.

 

Circa 1545-64 Rani Regnant Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya of Gondwana (India)

The principality is also known as Garha-Kalanga or Gond, and it’s inhabitants were a group of Dravidian tribes, aboriginal (pre-Aryan) people She was

the daughter of the Rajput chief of Mohaba and married to Dalpat Shah, and after his death she ruled for their minor son. In 1564, the Moghul emperor Akbar directed one of his commanders Asaf Khan to conquer the kingdom. On the advance of the huge imperial Moghul army, she was cautioned by her counsellors to whom she replied, “It is better to die with glory than to live with ignominy”. Her son Bir Narayan was seriously wounded. But she waged the war with the great skill and bravery until she was disabled by two arrow shots. Her officers wanted to carry her from the battlefield to a place of safety, but she rejected the proposal and committed suicide.

 

1545-52 Regent Dowager Duchess Christine of Denmark of Lorraine and Bar (France)
1560-90 Titular Queen of Denmark, Sweden and Norway, The Wends, Goths and Slavs, Duchess of Schleswig-Holstein, Ditmasken, Countess of Oldenborg
1558-68 Political Advisor and Temporary Acting Regent in Lorraine
1568-75 Reigning Dowager Lady of the City of Friedberg and Administrative Unit and Castle of Höckeringen in Bayern (Germany)
1578-90 Reigning Dowager Lady of Tortona (Italy)

After her father, Christian 2 of Denmark was deposed she grew up by her mother, Elisabeth von Habsburg’s aunt, Margaretha, Governor-General of the Netherlands, who took it upon her to guard the children from the Lutheran faith. After Margaretha’s death, their mother’s sister, Dowager Queen Maria of Hungary took over their upbringing. In 1535 her first husband, the 26 year older Duke Francesco 2. Sforza of Milano of died after 1½ year of marriage, and she returned to the Netherlands. In 1541 at the age of 20 she married François of Bar who inherited Lorraine three years later.
She was regent whenever her husband was abroad from the Duchy and acted as his political advisor, among others at the Reichstag in Speyer in 1544. In his will her husband appointed her regent jointly with her brother for her son, Charles (Karl) (1545-1608), but she tried to rule independently. In 1552 France attacked the Duchy and in exchange for a peace treaty she had to give up the regency and accept that her 10 year old son were to grow up at the French court as a future husband of Princess Claude, and she returned to her aunt in the Netherlands together with her two daughters. Six years later both her aunt and the emperor died and everybody assumed that she would be appointed Governor-General of the Netherlands as she was close to her cousin Filip II and was much loved by the Dutch people. Also, she had just contributed to the peace treaty between the French and Habsburgs in Cateau-Cambrésis, but the post of Regent was given to Felip’s sister, Margaretha of Parma. She then lived in Lorraine as the political advisor of her son Charles and also acted as regent from time to time. She never gave up the thought of regaining her father’s Nordic realms. In 1560 she tried to have her daughter René married to King Frederik 2 of Denmark. At the beginning of the seven-year war between Denmark and Sweden 1563-70 she attempted, through alliances with the Swedish king Erik XIV and the Danish exiled Councillor of the Realm, Peder Oxe, to plan how to regain the realms, and already signed her self as Queen: “Chretienne par la grace de dieu royne de Dennemarck, Suede, Norwegen”. When Renata married Duke Wilhelm of Bayern, she took up residence at the castle, the city of Friedberg became the center of the court life and in the next years it experienced a major boom. For health reasons she withdrew to her Italian Dowry Tortona in 1578, where she presided over a big court. She continued to print coins and medals as Queen of Denmark. She took over the claims as successor of their father, Christian II (d. 1559), from her sister, Countess Palatine Dorothea, who had no children. Christine lived (1521-90).

 

 

1545-53 Regent Dowager Queen Yun Mun-jong of Korea

Also known as Munjeong, Mun-jong Wang-hu, she was widow of Chung-jong, Chung-jong (1488-1506-44) and in charge of the government in the name

of Myong-jong, who succeeded his half-brother, Injong. Known as a good administrator, she continued to rule even after he reached the age of majority. She gave out the land to common people that had been formerly owned by the nobility. It was only after her death that her son took over power. She was the most influential supporter of Buddhism during the early dynasty and lifted the official ban on Buddhist worship and instigated an impressive resurgence of Buddhim.. She lived (1501-65).

 

Circa 1545-ca.1570/80 Sultan Hudah bint Sarmah al-Fasi of Fazzan (Libya)

Grandchild of Muhamad al-Fasi Fezzan. The state mainly consisted of oases in the Sahara Desert, and the population is largely Arab, with Berber and black African influence. Located on caravan routes connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Sudan, Fazzan was long important in the trans-Saharan trade. From the early 16th to the early 19th century it was the centre of the Bani Muhammad dynasty, which originated in Morocco.

 

1545-47 (and possibly 1564-78) Queen Regnant Phra Chao Chira Prapa Mahadevi of Lanna (Thailand)

Also known as Chiraprabha, Mahatevi Jiraprapa or Phra Nang Yout Kham Thip, she was the oldest daughter of king Phaya Ket, and took over after a

power struggle among various factions and during civil war in the region. According to some sources, King Burengnong married her, (now in her 40s (at least), and she ruled for a second time from 1564 until her death in 1578, according to other sources, it was her younger sister, Queen Wisutthithew, that Burengong married, and it was she who ruled from 1564.

 

1545-48 Regent Dowager Lady Elena Salviati of Piombino, Scarlino, Populonia, Suvereto, Buriano, Abbadia al Fango and of the Isles of Elba, Montecristo and Pianosa (Italy)

After the death of her husband, Jacopo V Appiani (1480-1545) she was regent for their son, Iacopo VI (1529-85). The Lordship was under attack from Toscana and in 1548 she protested against the investiture of Cosimo I de’ Medici as Duke of Piombino. She lived (1506-62).

 

1545-80 Reigning Princess Zofia ze Sprowy Odrowąż of Jarosław (Then Ukraine, now Poland)

The town and domaine was was established by an Ukrainian prince in the 11th century. In the Great Northern War of 1700-21 the region was repeatedly pillaged by Russian, Saxon and Swedish armies, causing the city to decline further and it was under Austrian rule from the First Partition of Poland in 1772 until Poland regained independence in 1918. First married to hetmanJan Krystof Tarnowski (1555-1567) and from 1575 to castellan Jan Kostka, and lived (1540-80).

 

1545-68 Reigning Abbess Marie II de Saint-Omer, dite de Morbecque of Bourbourg, Lady of Oxelaere, Noordpeene, Faumont and Coutiches (France)

Daughter of the Lord of Ebblinghem.

 

1545 Acting County Sheriff Ide Mogensdatter Munk of the County of Abrahamstrup, Denmark

Ide Munk was a major land-owner, also known as Ida, she was married to Oluf Nielsen Rosenkrantz til Vallø, and their daughter was Birgitte Olufdatter Rosenkrantz til Øster Vallø. Ide died 1586.

 

 

1545 Military Leader Lilliard in Scotland (United Kingdom)

Led the Scots at the Battle of Ancrum in one of their last victories over the English forces. She killed the English commander but lost her own life later in the battle.

 

1546-48 Joint Regent Dowager Queen Si Sudachan of Ayutthaya (Ayudhaya) (Thailand)

สมเด็จพระศรีสุริโยทัย was also known as Sudachachandra. After the death of her husband, Chairajadhirai (Chaiya Radschathira) she poisoned his oldest son

and made her lover, the minor court official, Kaeofa (Phra Yod Fa),kingChaiya Radschathira, and executed those who protested. Her son was succeeded by Worawongsathirat, a favourite of the widow of king Boromaradscha IV (1529-33) and after he was deposed her close relative, Maha Chakrapat, ursurped the throne and ruled until 1568. She (d. 1548).

 

 

1546-60 (†) Regent Dowager Countess Amalie von Leising of Mansfeld-Vorderort zu Bornstädt (Germany)

After the death of her husband, Philipp II (1502-46), she ruled in the name of her son, Bruno II (1545-1615). Their three other children died young. She was daughter of Hugo von Leisnig and Dorothea Schenkin von Landsberg, was Dame de Penig in her own right, and lived (1508-60).

 

1546-1601 Sovereign Duchess Marie II de Bourbon-Saint-Pôl of Estouteville, Countess de Saint-Pôl (France)
1573-1601 Regent Dowager Countess Marie de Bourbon of Neuchâtel (Neuenburg) (Switzerland)

Also known as Marie de Bourbon-Vendôme, she succeeded her brother, François (1536-46), and was first married to Jean de Bourbon, Duke d’Enghien

and secondly François II de Clèves, Duke Nevers, whom she divorced in 1561, and last to Léonor d’Orléans (1540-73), Duke de Longueville, Prince de Neuchâtel. After his death she was regent for her son, Henri II d’ Orléans-Longueville, and showed both force and talent by her reinforcement of the princely authority and financial reforms. She made treaties and took over the control of the finances from the citizen of the city. She made her own coins and used much of her energy to incorporate the Lordship of Valangin in the Principality of Neuchâtel, and on this occasion she made her only visit to the city in 1576. Daughter of François de Bourbon, Comte de Saint-Pol and Duchess Adrienne d’Estouteville, she lived (1539-1600).

 

1546-53 In-charge of the Government Electress Agnes von Hessen of Sachsen (Germany)
1553-55 Reigning Dowager Lady of Weissenfels and Weissensee in Sachsen

Reigned as her husband, Moritz was away in various wars. 1547 he was awarded with the title of Kurfürst (Elector) and Duke of Sachsen-Wittenberg. In 1553 he was wounded in the battle of Sievershausen and died shortly after. Their only surviving child was a daughter, Anna von Sachsen (later married to and divorced from Willem of Oranje) and therefore he was succeeded by his brother August. Her sister, Anna, was Guardian in Pfalz-Zweibrücken-Veldenz-Parkstein and Birkenfeld from 1569. Agnes lived (1527-55).

 

 

1547-60 Member of the Chosen Council Tsaritsa Anastasia Romanovna Zakharyina of Russia

Also known as Anastasiia Zakharina, she was member of the Chosen Council with a number of military leaders, priests that carried

out a number of political, military, and ecclesiastical reforms during the reign of her husband, Ivan the terrible. She was periodically able to control her husband’s fits of bad temper, and those periods were known as the “good part” of his reign. After her death – during the “bad part” he carried out a reign of terror against the boyars. He married six more times, and treated his wives cruelly: one was drowned, three were imprisoned, and two were sent to a nunnery. She lived (1530–60).

 

1547-58 Sovereign Duchess Eléonore of Austria of Touraine (France)

Married to Manoel I of Portugal and then to king François I of France (1497-1547). After his death she was given the duchy as a dowry. His brother Henri II succeeded him as king, since their marriage was childless. She lived (1498-1558).

 

 

1547-67 Sovereign Countess Guyonne XVIII “la Folle” of Laval (France)

The daughter of Guyonne VIII, she was originally named Renée de Rieux, and succeeded her uncle Count Guy XVI. 1545 she had married Louis de Sainte-Maure, marquis de Nestlé et comte de Joigny. She lived a tumultary life and converted to the Calvinist faith. Her sister, Claude de Rieux, married one of the protestant leaders François d’Andelot. She was convicted for treason by the Parliament of Paris together with two other leaders of the “poursuite de Meaux” which tried to kill King Charles IX and Dowager Queen Catherine de Médici in 1567; their possessions were confiscated, and executed. Guyonne escaped this faith because of her mental instability. She sought refuge in Laval and died a few months later. She was succeeded by her sister Claude, or his son Paul, who took the name of Guy XIX he died 1586.

 

1547-77 Princess-Abbess Magdalena von Chlum of Gandersheim (Germany)

During the Schmalkaldian war, she was she only canoness who remained in the chapter, and Duke Heinrich von Brauschweig had her appointed as head of the territory. In 1568 the church service became protestant but she remained a Catholic. Duke Julius von Braunschweig occupied the territory in 1575 and she was taken prisoner. She was member of a Bohemian noble family.

 

 

1548-58 Reigning Countess Anna van Egmond of Buren, Leerdam en Lingen, Dame of Ijsselstein, Borssele, Grave, Cranendonk, Sint Maartensdijk en Odijk (The Netherlands)

Daughter of Count Maximiliaan van Egmond and Francoise de Lannoy, Dame de Lannoy, de Santes et de Trochiennes. Married to Prince Willem I van Oranje and lived (circa 1533-58).

 

 

1548-58 Princess-Abbess Anna II von Kittlitz of Gernrode and Frose (Germany)

The Lords of Kittlitz had their lands in Sachsen and Slesia.

 

1548-66 Sovereign Duchess Diane de Portiers of Valentinos and d’Étampes (France)

Mistress of King Henri II of France and first married to Louis de Breze, Count de Maulevrier. She hat tree daughters, Francoise de Breze,

Countess de Maulevrier, who was married to Robert von der Marck, lord of Sedan, Duc de Bouillon, Louise de Breze, Dame d’Anet, who was married to Claude of Lorraine, Duc d’Aumale, and by Henri II, she had Diane de Valois. She lived (1499-1566).

 

1548-53 De facto Regent Dowager Countess Margarethe von Wied-Runckel of Manderscheid-Blankenheim (Germany)

After the death of Arnold of Manderscheid-Blankenheim, two male relatives were appointed guardians of her children, but they does not seem to have taken much part in the governing of the county, and she was in fact the regent until her oldest son, Hermann, came of age. Two of her daughters became Princess-Abbesses of Essen – Elisabeth VI and VII and another daughter, Margarethe was Abbess of Elten and Vreden. A son, Johann, was Prince-Bishop of Strassburg. Margarethe von Wied later married a Count of Bentheim, and (d. 1571).

 

1548-49 Acting County Sheriff Ingeborg Gjordesdatter Drefeld of the County of Lundenæs with the Shires of Bølling, Ginding, Hammerum and Herm, Denmark

Ingeborg Drefeld was widow of Peder Galt Ebbesen til Birkelse etc, Lensmand til Lundenæs.

 

 

1548-49 Princess-Abbess Adrienne I de Morbecq of Nivelles, Dame Temporaire and Spirituelle of Nivelles (Belgium)

As ruler of the territory she was Princess of the Empire and Head of a number of Lordships around Nivelles.

 

1548 Heroine Queen Suriyothai of Ayutthaya (Ayudhaya) (Thailand)

Also known as Somdet Phra Sisuriyothai or T’ao Sri Suda Chan. Barely six months into the reign of her husband, King Maha

Chakapat, the King of Burma invaded Siam with the intent of sacking the main capital, Ayutthaya. Her husband lead his troops in the defence of the city from atop his war elephant and she disguised herself as a man and rode into battle on her own elephant. During the battle with Burmese troops, her husband’s elephant collapsed from wounds and he was in danger of being killed and she rode her elephant to protect her husband and was killed by a scythe. (d. 1548).

 

1549-53 Regent Dowager Khanum Söyembikä of Kazan (Tartarstan in Russia)

Sujumbike, Syun Beka or Syunbeka reigned in the name of her 2 year old son, Ütämesch, after the death of her second husband, Safagäräy, whom she married in 1535 after the death of her first husband, Canğäli, the brother of the second. When the Russians conquered the city of Kasan in 1553 she was married to the new Khan Şahğäli, and brought to Moscow as hostage, where she died in 1554. Her son was christened and brought up in a school for the nobility and died of tuberculosis at the age of 20. Her father, the Khan of the Nogais, asked Tsar Ivan IV to release her but he did not receive an answer. She lived (1516-54).

 

1549-1601 Sovereign Countess Henriette de la March-Nevers of Rethel (Belgium)
1564-1601 Sovereign Duchess of Nevers, Sovereign Princess Boisbelle-Henrichemont (Belgium and France)

In 1564 she succeeded her brother Jacques, who had succeeded their father, François de March Nevers as Duke of Nevers in 1563. Her

husband Ludovico Gonzaga, Duke of Mantova was duke of Nevers-Rethel by the right of his wife. Her father and brother had left her with large debts but she managed to bring the financial situation back in order, and was one of the chief creditors of the kingdom. Her son, Charles II de Gonzauge, had been co-governor with his father of Champagne since 1589 and had become titular duke in 1595 after his father’s death, but did not take part in the government until after her death in 1601. Her one sister, Catherine, was countess d’Eu and the other, Marie, was Comtesse de Beaufort. Henriette lived (1542-1601).

 

 

1549-76 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Duchess Clara zu Sachsen-Lauenburg of the Administrative Office and Castle of Fallersleben in Braunschweig (Germany)

Her husband, Franz von Braunschweig-Gifhorn, died at his 41th birthday from the effects of an infected foot. She was mother of 2 daughters, and her husband’s Duchy returned to the main line in Celle, but she was given Fallersleben as her dorwy, and was responsible for an economical boom.

 

 

1549-61 Princess-Abbess Marguerite IV d’Estourmel of Nivelles, Dame Temporaire and Spirituelle of Nivelles (Belgium)

Member of a French noble family.

 

1549-74 County Sheriff Abele Hansdatter Breide of the County of Näsbyholm (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

After the death of her husband, Mikkel Hals til Näsbyholm, Abele Breide was Acting Lensmand or County Sheriff of the fief in Skåne, which has been part of Sweden since 1658.

 

 

After 1549-74 County Sheriff Karen Eilersdatter Bølle of Toreby Birk, Denmark

Karen Bølle til Hellerup og Søbo was widow of Laue Johansen Urne til Rygård (d. 1559) and held the tenantcy jointly with Jacob Brockenhuus as

security for lones. She had first been married to Marqvard Tidemandd ti lHellerup and did not have chidlren, and (d. 1582).

1450-51 Regent Duchess Catharina van Kleef of Geldre and Zutphen (The Netherlands)

During the pilgrimmage of her husband, Duke Arnold van Egmond (1410-1473), Duke of Gelre and Count of Zutphen she regiend together with a council consisting of members of the States. She was politically influential and during the powerstruggle between har husband and her son, Adolf van Egmont, she sided with her son. A daughter, Mary was Queen of Scotland and another, Catharina, regent of Guelders 1477-82. Catherine of Cleves lived (1417-1476)

Around 1450 Chieftainess Sharifa Fatima of the Zaydi (Yemen)

Daughter of the religious leader, Imam al-Zayel al-Nasir Li Din Allah, she and her tribe took San’a by force of arms in the mid 15th century.

 

Circa 1450 and 1484-… Regent Dowager Queen Nang Han Lung of Möng Mint (Myanmar-Burma)

Ruled in the name of her son, Si Wai Fae, and acted as head of one of the Shan – ethnic Thai – states in Burma. The state is also known as Momeik and had the ritual name Gandalarattha.

 

1450-82 Reigning Dowager Lady Countess Mechthild von der Pfalz of Böblingen, Sindelfingen, Aidlingen, Dagersheim, Darmsheim, Dettenhausen, Döffingen, Holzgerlingen, Magstadt, Maichingen, Ostelsheim, Schönaich and Steinenbronn in Württemberg (Germany)

After the death of her husband Ludwig von Württemberg she was in a yearlong dispute with her brother-in-law Ulrich and her brother Pfalzgraf Friedrich over the guardianship of her two sons. In the end she retired to her dowry, before she married Archduke Albrecht VI, the younger brother of Emperor Friedrich III, though they mainly lived apart, from 1456 mainly lived in Rottenburg, but she remained in the possession of her main dowry Böblingen. Her court was an intellectual and cultural centre and she promoted convents, churches and the University of Tübingen. She lived (1419-82).

 

1450-54 Princess-Abbess Agatha von Stadion of Heggbach (Germany)

Member of the noble family von Stadion zu Börningheim that supplied the church with many bishops, imperial abbots and Princess-Abbesses throughout the centuries. She resigned and (d. 1480).

 

Around 1450 Princess-Abbess Johanka z Risenberka of the Royal Chapter St. Georg at the Hradschin in Prague (The Czech Republic)

The St. Georg auf dem Hradschin zu Prag, Sankt-Georg Kloster or Sv. Jiri was the oldest convent in the Bohemian Lands founded in 973 by Prince Boleslav II and his sister, Mlada. The Abbess of was named Princess-Abbess in 1348 with the right to crown the Queens of Bohemia. During the reign of Josef II the Chapter was abolished in 1782.Johanka was daughter of Děpolt z Risenberka (d. 1474) and Kateřina Sokolová z Lemberka (d. 1470).

 

Around 1450 Reigning Abbess Germaine de Chambray of Montvilliers (France)

Daughter of Jean III de Chambray, seigneur de Chambray and Gilette Cholet

 

Around 1450 Reigning Abbess Jeanne de Chambray of Montvilliers (France)

Succeeded her relative Germaine de Chambray at a not known time.

 

1451-53/54 Regent Dowager Duchess Chiara Giorgio of Athenai (Greece)

Also known as Chiara Zorzi, Clara or Claire, she was charge of the government after the death of her husband, Raineri II Acciajulo, who was duke of Athens 1435-39 and again from 1441 until his death 10 years later. He was involved in the fights against the Ottomans, who conquered Constantinople a few years later. She was regent for her son Francesco I. She fell in love with the Venetian Bartolomeo Contarini, who murdered his wife in order to stay with her and marry her in Athens in 1453. However, Mehmet II of the Ottoman Empire intervened at the insistence of the people on the behalf of her son and summoned her and her lover to his court at Adrianople. Another member of the Acciajuoli family, Francesco II, was sent to Athens as a Turkish client duke and she was thus deprived of her power in the city. Evidently, the citizenry had mistrusted the two lovers influence over the young duke, for whose safey they may have feared. The new duke had her murdered and Bartolommeo appealed to the sultan for justice. Athens was taken into Turkish hands and the new Duke deposed. She was the daughter of Nicholas III Zorzi, the titular margrave of Bodonitsa, and renowned for her beauty. (d. 1454).

 

1451-64 Regent Dowager Duchess Elisabeth von Brandenburg of Pommern-Stettin (Poland)

After both her husband, Joachim and his cousin Barnim VIII. von Pommern-Barth, had died of the plague, she took over the regency for her son, Otto III (1444-64) together with her brother, Elector Friedrich II. von Brandenburg, who was the co-guardian. In 1454, she married Duke Wartislaw X von Pommern-Rügen und Barth (1435-78) and became mother of two more sons, who died of plague like their older brother in 1564. She lived (1425-65).

 

1451-61 Governor Queen Juana Enriquez de Mendoza y Fernández de Cordoba of Navarra
1461-62 Governor of Cataluña
1466-68 Presiding over the Cortes of Aragón (Spain)

Also the 5th Lady of Casarrubios del Monte, she was very influential during the reign of her husband, Juan II of Aragón, who took over the crown of

Navarra after the death of his first wife Queen Blanca I (1391-41). After he tortured Don Carlos, his son by Blanca to death in 1461 the nobles of Catalonia offered the crown to various neighbouring kings and princes who held to e principality for brief periods until 1479 when Juan won the battle. She was daughter of Fadrique Enríquez de Mendoza and Marina de Ayala, mother of one son and three daughters, and lived (1425-68).

 

1451-78 Princess-Abbess Adelheid V Trüllerey genannt von Trostberg of Schänis (Switzerland)

Even though the chapter had become part of the Swiss Confederation in 1438, the Abbess still used the title of a Princess of the Holy Roman Realm (Fürstin des Heiligen Römischen Reiches). Her sister, Adnes, was Meisterein (Mistres) in Hermetschwil. They were daughters of Rüdiger von Trullerey, of a noble family from Aargau and Schaffenhausen in Switzerland, which also had possessions in Germany, and Anes from Trostberg.

 

1451-87 Politically Influential Sultanina Mara Branković of the Ottoman Empire (Covering The Balkans, what is now Greece, Turkey, parts of the Middle East and Northern Africa)

Also known as Sultana Marija, Mara Hatun, Maryam Khanum, Despina Hatun or Amerissa, she was daughter of Durad, Despot of Serbia, and when she

was married to the Ottoman sultan Murad II in 1433 her dowry was the larger part of Serbia. She had no children of her own but was close to her husband’s son, Mehmed II the Conqueror (1430-51-81), and she was very influential during his reign from 1451, and he often called upon her for advice. She later held court at Ježero in Macedonia surrounded by exiled Serbian nobles, 1461 she was joined by her sister, Catherine, widow of Ulrich II Cantacuzene of Cilly, and they lead an unofficial “foreign office” from Macedonia. In the war between Turkey and Venetia (1463-79) they played an important role as intermediaries and were employed by both sides as diplomatic agents. In 1471 Mara personally accompanied a Venetian ambassador to the Porte for negotiations with the Sultan. She retained her influence of the appointment of leaders of the Orthodox Church, and remained influential during Mehmed’s successor, Bayezid II. She lived (circa 1412-87).

 

1451-57 Reigning Abbess Marie III de Montmorency of the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud (France)

Daughter of Jean II de Montmorency, Seigneur de Beaussault and Isabelle de Nestlé, Dame du Plessis-Cacheleu. Her older sister, Catherine inherited the titles of dame de Beaussault et de Breteuil after the death of two of their brothers. Marie (d. 1461).

 

1452-60 Regent Dowager Duchess Anna of Teschen-Freistadt (Cieszyn) (Poland)

After the death of her husband, Bolesław II of Cieszyn, she ruled the Slesian Duchy for her son Kazimierz II. She was daughter of Duke Ivan Vladimirovich, Prince of Bielsk. (d. after 1490)

 

1452-58 Joint Regent Dowager Countess Katharina von Nassau-Beilstein of Hanau (Germany)

When her son, Reinhard III von Hanau (1412-52) died one year after his father, Reinhard II, she became part of the regency for his son, Philipp I the Younger, together with his maternal grandfather, Pfalzgraf Otto I. von Pfalz-Mosbach and her youngest son, Philipp I the Older, until the country was devided in 1458, when the latter became sole regent. Mother of 6 children, and (d. 1459).

 

1452-57 Joint Guardian Dowager Countess Margareta von Pfalz-Mosbach of Hanau-Lichtenberg (Germany)

When her husband, Reinhard III, died after only one year reign, she fought to secure the whole County for her oldest son, the 3 year old Philipp I the

Younger (1449-1500), according to principle of primogeniture which had been followed since 1475, but other members of the family wanted to divide the inheritance. Her mother-in-law, Katharina von Nassau-Beilstein, was able to secure the support of many of the relatives, the most important co-operations of the inhabitants of the County, most importantly the citizen of the the 4 cities; Hanau, Windecken, Babenhausen and Steinau, a number of associations and the vassals of the County. But Margareta and her father managed to keep the County undivided until her death. Born as Pfalzgräfin von Mosbach, and lived (1432-57).

 

1452-76 Sovereign Countess Marie d’Harcourt of Aumale (France)
1456-76 Sovereign Countess of Harcourt

Inherited the counties from her father Jean VII d’Harcourt, Count of Tancarville, and married to Antoine de Lorraine, Duke de Vaudémont in 1440 whose descendants inherited the duchy of Lorraine Lillebonne, Elbeuf, Aumale. She was succeeded her sister, Jeanne in Harcourt, and lived (1398-1476).

 

1452-56 Sovereign Countess Jeanne d’Harcourt of Harcourt (France)

Second daughter of Jean d’Harcourt, she was first married to Jean de Rieux Baron d’Ancenis (d 1431) and secondly to Bertrand de Dinan, Baron de

Châteaubriant, Marshal of Bretagne. Succeeded by sister, Marie, who had been Countess of Harcourt since 1452. She lived (1399-1456).

 

1452-62 Regent Dowager Duchess Barbara Rochemberg of Karniów-Rybnik and Pszczyna (Poland)

Widow of the Slesian Duke Mikołaj III.

 

1452-1485 Acting Governor Inés de Peraza de las Casas of The Canary Islands (Spain)
1452-1503 Reigning Lady of Lanzarote

Inherited the governorship from her father, Ferdinand de Peraza, together with her husband, Diego García de Herrera y Ayala, who was Governor by the rights of his wife (jure uxoris) but ruled the his absence and defend the islands. In 1576 there was a revolt against their rule because of their continued reclutings of islanders to fight against the „unfaithful islands”, but they won the battle, but Queen Isabel I took over the protection of Lanzarote and send a commission leaded by Estevan Perez de Cabitos to examine their rights over the Canary Islands and the following year they were given a large sum of money and the title of Countess and Count but was deprived of Tenerife, Canaria and La Palma. After her husband’s death in 1485 at the age of 60, the islands were divided among 2 of their 3 sons and 2 daughters. The daughters Maria de Ayala and Constanza de Sarmiento, split Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, Roque del Este and Roque del Oeste among them. She was daughter of Inés de Las Casas, and lived (circa 1425-1503).

 

1452-67 Princess-Abbess Walburg zu Spiegelberg of Gandersheim (Germany)

Thrown out of the chapter by troops from Braunschweig in 1453. Her election was confirmed by the Pope in 1453, 1456, 1458 and 1465, but she was not able to claim her rights, and in 1467 she resigned.

 

1452-53 Princesse-Abbesse Jeanne III de Chauvirey of Remiremont (France)

As sovereign of the territory she had the right to choose the mayor of Remiremont from a list proposed by the nobles of the city. The mayor’s deputy, the Grand Eschevin, was chosen by the mayor from a list of 3 candidates presented by the bourgeois of the city with her advice. Her family originated from Haute Saône south of Paris.

 

1453-67 De Facto Ruler Sophia IV zu Braunschweig-Grubenhagen of Gandersheim (Germany)
1467-85 Princess-Abbess

The troops of her brother, Duke Heinrich III from Braunschweig pawed her way to the office by exiling Princess-Abbess Waldburg, and after Waldburg’s abdication in 1467 she was confirmed in the office. Sophia’s sister, Agnes II, reigned 1412-39. She lived (circa 1407-85).

 

1453 Reigning Abbess Elisabeth Selnhofer of Wald, Lady of the Offices of Wald, Vernhof and Ennigerloh (Germany)

The sources show how her family paid 63 pound for her support when she entered the chapter.

 

1453-71 Queen Shin Saw Pu of Mons (Bartaban) (Myanmar-Burma)

Also known as Byih-nya Daw, Shinsawbu or Shengtsambu, she was daughter of Razadarit, king of the Mons in Hanthawaddy (Bago) in Lower

Myanmar, who was succeeded by her brother. She married Sinphushin Thihathu of Bamarl. After his death three years later, she married his successor Minhla Nge, who died after three months, and his successor Kalay Taung Nyo died after seven months. She then moved back to Hanthawaddy, which was then ruled by her brother King Byinnya Yan. Within a year he was succeeded by Byinnya Baru and Byinnya Gyan, before she finally became Queen of the Mons Kingdom. Her reign was peaceful, quiet and prosperous. She abdicated and retired to the Shwedagon Pagoda, built new pagodas and monasteries and devoted to rest of her life to religious activities. She died at the age of 79.She is still revered today for giving the pagoda its present shape and form. She gave her weight in gold (40 kg) to be beaten into gold leaf and used to plate the stupa.

 

1453-66 Regent Dowager Duchess Hedwig von Liegnitz of Hainau-Lüben (Chojnów-Lubin) (Poland)

Also known as Jadwiga Legnicka, she was the youngest daughter of Duke Ludwik II of Legnica-Brzeg and Elżbieta von Brandenburg (ruler of Legnica-Brzeg in 1436-38). In 1445 she married Duke Jan of Chojnów-Lubin. In 1446 she gave birth her only son, Duke Friederich (Fryderyk). Her husband died in 1453 and she became regent of the Slesian Duchy. She lived (circa 1430-1471).

 

1453-? Political Advisor and Head of Diplomatic Missions Sara Khatun of the Ak Kooyunlu (Azerbaian, Armenia, Western Iran, Iraq and Turkey)

After the death of Turali bek Akkoyunlu, she was able to stop the struggle for power among his sons and had her son, Uzun Hasan (1453-78) placed on the throne. He transformed the Akkoyunlu state into a powerful feudal empire. Apart from supporting him in his actions, she was in charge of diplomatic negotiations with foreign diplomats from Europe and the East. 1461 she was also send to negotiate with Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire who was about to conquer the neighbouring Empire of Trapezund, and was received by Mekhmed with great respect and honor. In the course of the talks, it was decided that the state of Akkoyunlu would remain neutral during Mekhmed IIs campaign against Trapezund, and Turkey would not go to war with Akkoyunlu. That accord had enormous importance for Akkoyunlu. Indeed, it was thanks to this agreement that the state of Akkoyunlu preserved its independence.

 

1453-1507 Leader and Spokesperson of the Byzantine Diaspora Anna Notaras Palaiologina in Venetia (Italy)

Together with two of her sisters, she had already been send to Italy when the Ottomans conquered Constantinople in 1454. Her father, Byzantine Grand Duke and Prime Minister, Loukas Notaras, and the rest of the family were killed. She became a leading member of the Byzantine Diaspora and 1471 she obtained the permission of the city authorities to establish a Greek colony in the Commune of Siena, but for an unknown reason it never materialized. Later moved to Venice where she worked for the right to establish an Orthodox Church against the wishes of the Catholic hierarchy. She used her mother’s surname Palaiologina and (d. 1507).

 

1454-94 Sovereign Lady Johanna van der Aa de Randeraedt of Veulen (Belgium)

Her husband, Willem de Mérode was co-lord until 1483. Succeeded by Willem de Mérode, who was probably her son.

 

1454-1501 Politically Influential Queen and Grand Duchess Elisabeth von Habsburg of Poland and Lithuania

Also known as Elzbieta Rakuszanka (of Austria), she was very influential during the reign of her husband, polish king and great duke of Lithuania, Kazimierz IV Jagiellończyk and their son, Jan I (1492-1501). She was a daughter of Emperor Albrecht II von Habsburg, king of Bohemia and Hungary and Elisabeth of Bohemia-Hungaria (1437-48), and lived (1436–1505).

 

1454-62 Regent Dowager Duchess Barbara of Mazowsze (Poland)

Following the death of her husband Duke Bolesław IV, she ran the government in the name of her sons.

 

1454-80 Princess-Abbess Elisabeth II Kröhl of Heggbach (Germany)

In 1467 she introduced a more sombre version of the convent life of the Cistercian order. Anna Gräter was “Anti-Abbess” in 1439, but apparently died after a few months in office. She was probably daughter of a citizen of Lindau.

 

1454-73 Princess-Abbess Elsa van Buren of Thorn (The Netherlands)

Became acting Vorstin-Abdis of the Ecclesiastical Territory, after Jacobäa van Heinsberg vacated the post, the former Abbess Mechtildis van Heine, did not die until 1459. Elsa was excommunicated because of her refusal to follow certain Papal decisions.

 

1454-64 Reigning Abbess Elisabeth Rentz of Wald, Lady of the Offices of Wald, Vernhof and Ennigerloh (Germany)

Member of a seigneurial family.

 

1455-79 Lieutenant General Infanta Leonor Trastmara de Aragón y Navarra of Navarra (Spain)
1479 Queen Regnant

Daughter of Blanca I of Navarra and King Juan II de Aragón, and at the age of 2 she was acclaimed by the Cortes in Pamplona as the legitimate heir of her brother and sister; Carlos, Prince of Viana, and Blanca of Navarra, but when their mother died in 1441, their father ursurped the throne. She was appointed Governor General of the Kingdom in 1455 civil war broke out between her father and brother until the latter’s death in 1461. Her father made a treaty making her his heir, excluding her older sister, Blanca II, who was left with Foix and Moncada, but died in 1464. The following year she signed a treaty with the Beamontese using the title of “Primogenic Princess, Heiress of Navarra, Infanta of Aragón and Sicilia, Countess of Foix and Bigorra, Lady Béarn, Acting General for the Serene King, my wery reduptable lord and father in this his Kingdom of Navarra”. And when her father died, she succeeded him as monarch of Navarra, but died soon after. She was married to Gaston IV, count of Foix, and had 11 children with him. The oldest, Gaston died in 1470 and her daughter-in-law, Madelaine de Valois was regent for her two children, Francisco and Catalina who succeeded their grandmother. She lived (1425-79).

 

1455-58 Regent Dowager Duchess Eleonora of Scotland of Austria-Tirol
1467 Regent of Vorlanden (Austria)

In charge of the government in the name of her husband, Sigismund von Habsburg, who was abroad. They had no children, and she lived (1433-80).

 

1455-62 Regent Dowager Duchess Anna Oleśnicka of Mazowsze-Bełz (Poland)
1455-1476 Reigning Dowager Duchess of Sochaczew
1455-81 Reigning Dowager Duchess of Płock
1476-before 1491 Reigning Dowager Duchess of Koło, Brdów, Bolimów, Mszczonów and Stare Wikitki

After the death of her husband, Władysław I of Masovia-Plock she reigned in the name of her sons Siemowit VI and Władysław II. Both sons died in 1462. She was daughter of Duke Konrad V Kantner of Oleśnica and Małgorzata and lived (1420/30-before 1491).

 

1455-73 Princesse-Abbesse Alix de Paroye of Remiremont (France)

Held the office of Dame Doyenne and Second-in-Command 1452-55. In 1468 the territory was hit by plague.

 

1455-81 Sovereign Countess Françoise de Châtillon of Périgod, Vicomtesse de Limoges and Dame d’Avesnes (France)

Daughter of Isabelle, who reigned 1317-28 and succeeded father, Guillaume de Châtillon-Blois, dit de Bretagne, vicomte de Limoges, Seigneur d’Avesnes. Married to Alain d’Albret Le Grand, Seigneur d’Albert, Comte de Graves, Vicomte de Tartas (1440-1522), who was joint ruler 1470-1522. She (d. 1481).

 

1455-73 Princesse-Abbesse Alix de Paroye of Remiremont (France)

Held the office of Dame Doyenne and Second-in-Command 1452-55. In 1468 the territory was hit by plague.

 

1456-79 Princess-Abbess Kunigunde von Egloffstein of Obermünster in Regensburg (Germany)

Member of a Swiss noble family, originating in Burg Egloffstein now in Bavaria, and divided into various sidelines.

 

Around 1456 Reigning Abbess Ursula von Mirlingen of Königsfelden (Switzerland)

Also sovereign over a number of possessions in Aargau, Swabia and Alsace.

 

1456-80 Hereditary Countess Margaret of Celje (Slovenia)

Daughter of Ulrich III of Cilli (1406-1456), who was supporter of Queen Elisabeth of Bohemia and her son, Ladislaus V Posthumous, and virtually regent of the kingdom. Margaret married Count Herman of Montfort and Duke Vladislav of Teschen (d. 1456).

 

1456-89 Hereditary Lady Elisabeth von Sirck of Furbach, Monklar and Meinzberg, The Fief of Lützelburg and other Lordships (Germany)

Elisabeth von Sirck, Gräfin zu Sayn inherited the Lordships from her uncle, Jacob von Sirck, Kurfürst von Trier and her father and her possessions were

incorporated into the County of Sayn. Her husband, Gerhard II, Count of Sayn, Lord of Homburg, (1452-1493), was an influential statesman in the German Empire and was named Stadholder of the Westphalian Courts. She was mother of 9 sons and 7 daughters, though most of them died as infants. She was first married to a Count of Zweibrücken, and lived (1435-89).

 

1457-1515 Sovereign Dame Claudine Grimaldi of Monaco, Sovereign Dame of Mentone and Roccabruna, Baroness di San Demetrio

Daughter of Seigneur Catalan Grimaldi and reigned jointly with her husband and relative Lamberto Grimaldi d’Antibes during their marriage 1458-94 and with sons Jean II 1494-1505 and Lucien 1505-23. She lived (1451-1515).

 

1457-58 Regent Dowager Dame Pomellina Fregoso of Monaco

Took over the regency for her granddaughter, Claudine, after the death of her son Catalan Grimaldi di Monaco, Signore de Monaco et Menton (1454-57). Her husband, Jean I, who had initially ruled with his two brothers, were taken prisoner of the Duke of Milano who threatened to kill him if Monaco was not released to his power, but her tough and courageous attitude was catalyst to his release. Her daughter-in-law, Blance del Caretto, died in 1458. Born as Pomellina Campo Fregoso to a noble Genoese family, she lived (1387/88-1468).

 

1457-58 Captain-Donatary Isabel Moniz of Porto Santo in Madeira (Portugal)

Succeeded her husband, Bartolomeu I Perestrelo (1425-57), to the office of capitano donataria, which meant that she was governor of the Island and had full control over the domain. She held the office of judge, could make land grants. er daughter, Felipa Moniz e Perestrello, was married to Christopher Columbus in Lisabon, where the family had moved. But later they moved back to Porto Santo in the Madeira islands, to live with her son, who had been handed over his Hereditary Captainship (Capitão Donatário do Porto Santo) about 1476. She was daughter of Vasco Martins Moniz and Brites Pereira, and lived (circa 1430-after 1480).

 

1457-62 Princess-Abbess Walpurgis Aigler of Baindt (Germany)

As Fürstäbtissin had the right to be represented on the on the College of Prelates of Swabia which had one joint vote in the Ecclesiastical Bench in the Council of Princes of the Diet of the Holy Roman Empire.

 

1457-75 Reigning Abbess Marie IV de Bretagne of the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud (France)

Daughter of King Henry III of England and Eleanor Berenger of Provence. The order had suffered severely from the decay of religion, which was general about this time, as well as from the Hundred Years War. In the three priories of St-Aignan, Breuil, and Ste-Croix there were in all but five nuns and one monk, where there had been 187 nuns and 17 monks at the beginning of the thirteenth century, and other houses were no better off. In 1459, a papal commission decided upon a mitigation of rules that could no longer be enforced, and nuns were even allowed to leave the order on the simple permission of their priories. Dissatisfied with the mitigated life of Fontevrault, she moved to the priory of La Madeleine-les-Orléans in 1471. Here she deputed a commission consisting of religious of various orders to draw up a definite Rule based on the Rules of Blessed Robert, St. Benedict, and St. Augustine, together with the Acts of Visitations. Sixtus IV finally approved the resulting code in 1475, and four years later it was made obligatory upon the whole order. She lived (1442-77).

 

1457-59 Reigning Abbess-General Maria de Almenárez of the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos (Spain)

In the same way as Bishops, she held her own courts, in civil and criminal cases, granted letters dismissorial for ordination, and issued licenses authorizing priests, within the limits of her abbatial jurisdiction, to hear confessions, to preach, and to engage in the cure of souls.

 

1457 Rebellion Leader Elizabeth Szilágyi in Hungary

Szilágyi Erszébet was widow of Hunyadi János (John Corvinius) (circa 1387-1456), Baron of Szolnok and Count of Temesvár, Regent of Hungary 1446-

53 during the minority of Lazslo V Postumus. Together with her brother, Michael, she led an open revolt against the king who held her son, Matthias Corvinus (Mátyás Hunyadi), as prisoner. Fierce but indecisive fighting continued for months and was ended only by the news of Ladislaus V’s premature death in Prague in November 1457 without an heir. Her son was elected king by the Diet and crowned the following year.

 

1458-64 Queen Regnant Charlotte of Cyprus and Titular Queen of Jerusalem and Armenia

As she succeeded her father, Jean II, the Grand Caraman, the Turkish ruler of Caramania, seized the opportunity afforded by a weak government in Cyprus to capture Courico, the last Latin outpost in Armenia, which had been in the possession of the Lusignans since the reign of Pierre I. In 1453 the Ottoman Turks had expanded to the shores of the Bosporus and invested Constantinople by sea and land. While she had the support of the nobility, her half-brother Jacques the Bastard, had the sympathy of the Cypriot population, and had been led to believe that his father wished him to succeed to the throne. But the barons were too strong for him, and Jacques, although archbishop, was not allowed to take part in the coronation. In 1459 she married her cousin, count Louis of Savoy, and Jacques broke into open rebellion and took refuge in Cairo. Presenting himself to the sultan, who was suzerain of Cyprus, Jacques complained that, though next male heir to the throne, and he had been driven from the island, and appealed successfully for help to recover his inheritance.
In 1460, with a fleet of eighty Egyptian galleys, Jacques landed at Larnaca. The Cypriots, hating the Savoyards whom her husband had brought to the island, received him gladly, and he was soon master of the island. Charlotte and her husband took refuge in the castle of Kyrenia, where they were blockaded for three years. The castle, which was not actively attacked, was finally surrendered by the treachery of its commandant. They fled to Rome, where she died in 1487 after bequeathing her sovereignty to the house of Savoy. Her half-brother was renowned for his political amorality. She lived (1436-87).

 

1458-59 Regent Dowager Despotess Jelena Palaiologina of Serbia

Widow of Lazar II Brankovic (1456-58) and regent for son Stefan Brankovic. In 1459 Stefan Tomasevic was despot, but the same year the Ottoman

Turks finally conquered Serbia. Died as nun in 1473.

 

1458-86 Temporary Regent Margravine and Electress Anna von Sachsen of Brandenburg-Ansbach, Brandenburg-Kumblach and Brandenburg (Germany) 1486-1512 Reigning Dowager Lady of the Administrative Office and Castle of Neustadt an der Aisch

After their marriage in 1458, she was in charge of the government during many absences from the state of her husband, Margrave and Elector Albrecht Achilles (1414-86), Margrave of Ansbach after the death of his father in 1440, Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach after the death of his brother in 1464 and Elector of Brandenburg in 1470 after the abdication of his oldest brother and at the same time he inherited all the possessions of the House of Hohenzollern. After his death she resided at her dowry. She was mother of 13 children, and lived (1437-1512).

 

1458-79 Sovereign Countess Margaretha von Limburg and Broich (Germany)

Succeeded her father, Wilhelm and was married to Wilhelm von Buren and Gumprecht II von Neuenhar, and lived (1406-79).

 

1458-1511 Princess-Abbess Hedwig von Sachsen of Quedlinburg (Germany)

In 1465 Emperor Friedrich III confirmed her secular rights as Princess of the Realm (Reichsfürstin). 1477 the citizens of Quedlinburg raised arms to remove her, but she was supported by the Dukes Ernst und Albrecht with 400 mounted and 200 foot soldiers, who occupied the castle after a short fight and a little later the city capitulates. Hedwigs terms were written down in a treaty – among others she forced the Council of the City to leave the Hanse – the Northern German Trade Association. When the administration of the Holy Roman Empire was divided into Imperial Circles, Reichskreisen, in 1495, she became member of the Upper Saxon Circle Estate (Reichskreisstandschaft), the regional assembly. She was daughter of Kurfürst Friedrich II and Archduchess Margarete von Habsburg of Austria, and lived (1504-74).

 

1458-59 Politically Influential Dowager Despotess Helena Palaiologina of Serbia

Attemted to assume power together with her brother-in-law Stefan III Brankovic after the death of her husband Prince Lazar II Branković, as local Serbs

rebelled after Ottomans seized Smederevo in March 1458, taking Michael Andjelović prisoner. She arranged the marriage of her daughter to the King of Bosnia in an attempt to gather support for her position, but the Ottomans captured Smederevo during a major assault 20 June 1459 which marked the final end of the Serbian state. She fled with her two younger daughters to the island of Leukas, where she converted to Catholicism and became a nun as Hypomone. The daughter of Thomas Palaiologos, Ruler of Morea, and Catherine Zaccaria of the Principality of Achaea, she lived (1431-73).

 

1459-74 Hereditary Duchess Zofia of Pommern-Stolp (Pomerze-Słupsk) (At the time Germany, now Poland)
1474-83 Lady of Darłowo

She left her husband, Erich II of Pommern-Wolgast, Hinterpommern and Stettin (1425-74) and moved with her children to the Duchy of Rügenwalde alone only with the aid of her Lord-Chancellor Lord Ritter Johann von Massow. In 1459 Erich I (ex-king of Denmark) had died and left the Duchy of Hinterpommern without heirs. Sophia and Erik II hurried there because she saw herself as the sole heir, but the following year a war of succession broke out with various other pretenders. But she remained in her territories until her death. She was daughter of Bogusław IX and Maria, who had been regent for Erik I of Pommerania (ex-king Erik VII of Denmark). She lived (1435-97).

 

1459-89 Princess-Abbess Sophia III von Gleichen of Essen (Germany)

Member of a family of Counts of Gleichen in Thüringen.

 

Around 1459 Reigning Abbess Eva von Erpach of Königsfelden (Switzerland)

Her family was Free Lords and Lords zu Erpach und Bickenbach in Odenwald and the city of Michelstadt.

 

1459-73 Reigning Abbess Ottilia Durchlacher of Gutenzell (Germany)

Emperor Sigismund confirmed the privileges of the Chapter in 1437, and they formed the legal foundation of the territory’s position as an independent state.

 

1459-77 Reigning Abbess-General Juana de Guzmán I of the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos (Spain)

As Señora Abadesa of Las Huelgas she possessed the privilege also to confirm Abbesses of subsidiary convents, to impose censures, and to convoke synods.

 

1459-79 Hereditary Lady Margarethe von Limburg of Bedbur and Hakenbroich (Germany)

Daughter of Wilhelm I, Count von Limburg (d. 1459) and Metza von Reifferscheid (d. 1437), and married to Gumprecht II von Neuenahr (d. 1484).

 

1460-63 (†) Regent Dowager Queen Mary of Guelders of Scotland (United Kingdom)

After the death of her husband, of James II, she was regent for her son, James III, and her adviser, James Kennedy, bishop of St. Andrews. After their deaths, James was seized (1466) by the Boyd family, who ruled Scotland until 1469. In that year James married Margaret, daughter of the Danish king, and began to rule personally. Maria de Gelders was daughter of Duke Arnold Gelders and Catherine of Cleves and lived (1432-63).

 

1460/65-74 Regent Dowager Countess Maddalena di Carreto of Gaustalla (Italy)

Widow of Pietro Guido I and regent for son Guido Galeotto.

 

 

1460-72 Regent Duchess Battista Sforza of Urbino (Italy)

In charge of the government during the absence of her husband, Duke Federico from the state. She was the daughter of Alessandro Sforza and Constanza da Varano. She lived (1446-72).

 

1461-64 Titular Queen Blanca II of Navarra (Spain)

Proclaimed Queen on the death of her brother, Carlo, but was imprisoned by her father Juan II, King of Aragon since 1458, who then became King of Navarra, and was succeeded by her younger sister, Leonor in 1479. Blanca II was married to Enrico IV of Castilla and Léon, until their marriage was annulled in 1454 because she had chosen to remain a virgin. She lived (1420-64).

 

1461-70 Regent Dowager Sultana Mhduma Gahan of Bahmani Sahi (India)

Ruled on behalf of her sons, Nizanu Shah (d. 1463) and Sams ad-Din Muhamed Shah II (1463-82).

 

1461-65 Member of the Regency Council The Dowager Queen, Makhduma-e-Jahan Nargis Begum of The Bahmani Deccan (Oudh) (India)

The widow of Humayun she was the mastermind of the Regency Council, which reigned for her son, Nizam-ud-din Ahmad III, who succeeded to the throne at the age of 8. He died on the night of his marriage, and was succeeded by his younger brother, Shams-ud-din Muhammad Shah III, who was between 9 and 10 years. When he got married at the age of 14, she retired from active role.

 

1461-72 Regent Dowager Grand Princess Anastasya Aleksandrovna of Suzdal of Tver (Russia)

After the death of her husband, Boris (1399-1425-61) she was regent for Mikhail III (1453-61-85-1505), the last Grand Prince of Tver. (d. 1483).

 

1461-80 County Sheriff Hebele Lydikesdatter of the County of Nygård, Denmark

Heble Kande or Kane was widow of Peder Eriksen Gyldenstierne and took over the function as County Sheriff (Lensmand) of the Tenantcy of the Bishop of Roskilde (Bispelensmand). She Chief of the Court (Hofmesterinde) of Queen Dorothea and allowed to enjoy the income of the City Tax of Odense. The daughter of Lydike Kane or Kande and Elsebe Daa, she lived (circa 1420-80).

 

1462 Politically Active Princess Katherine of Płock, Rawsk and Zawkrzew (Poland)

Engaged in politics since the death of her nephew, Prince Władysław II of Wisk, Płock, Płońsk, Rawsk, Sochaczew, Zawkrze and Bełz) in 1462, but she was deposed. Also an army leader. She had married the Lithuanian prince Michał 1440/45. She was daughter of prince of Mazowsze Siemowit IV and Aleksandra, a sister of king Władysław II Jagiełło of Poland, and lived (1409/20-after 1468).

 

Around 1462 Regent Dowager Duchess Barbara Ruska of Mazowsze-Warszawa (Poland)

The widow of Bolesław IV, she reigned jointly with the bishop of Płokck.

 

1462-74 Princess-Abbess Agnes II de Franckenberg of Nivelles, Dame Temporaire and Spirituelle of Nivelles (Belgium)

Member of the family of Mérode-Frankenberg, who were Guardians or Stewards if the Imperial Ecclesiastical Territory of Burtscheid. Its members were sometimes known as Merode sometimes as Franckenberg, but most Princess-Abbesses of Nivelle and of Burtscheid used the name of Franckenberg.

 

1462-71 Princess-Abbess Anna VI von Räns of Baindt (Germany)

The chapter was founded 1227 it’s Princess-Abbess had been Sovereign Ruler of the Ecclesiastical Territory since around 1373 with the rank of a Princess of The Empire (Fürstäbtissin or Reichsäbtissin).

 

1462-91 Reigning Abbess Jeanne IV d’Ailly of the Royal Abbey of Jouarre (France)

The lands that was abandoned as a result of the war, weighed heavily on her and she constantly leased them out to the very poor. This was the origin of the association known as the “Usages” which still exists today.

 

Until 1462 Hereditary Countess Anastasia von Isenburg-Wied of Isenburg and Wied (Germany)

She was the last of her line and married Dietrich IV von Runkel. Their son, Friedrich IV, was created Count zu Wied in 1454.

 

1463 Regent Dowager Duchess Petronella Bembo of Naxos et de L’Archipel (Greece Island-State)

Second wife of Francesco II, 16th Duke of Naxos and of the Archipelagos, Lord of Syros, and regent for son Giacopo III (1446-63-80), whose daughter Fiorenza was Lady of Santhorini (1479-80), Namphios 1463, and Paros in 1520. The Turks attacked Andros in 1468 and 1470, and Naxos in 1477. His unnamed daughter held the island of Santorini as her dowry.

 

1463-1528 Sovereign Dame Fiorenza Crispo of Namfios (Greek Mainland)
1479-80 Sovereign Princess of Santhorini, Thera and Therasia (Greek Island-State)
1520-28 Sovereign Dame of Paros

Inherited the lordship from her father, Guglielmo II, Duke of Naxos and of the Archipelagos, Baron of Artrogidis, Lord of Milos, Santhorini, Andros, Delos, Ios, Paros and Co-Lord of Amorgos, who had succeeded his great nephew in 1453 as Duke of Naxos with the agreement of his nephew and co-regent Francesco, depriving his niece Adriana of her rightful inheritance as well as her right of inheritance, as it was also agreed that Francesco would succeed Duke Guglielmo. She was married to Luigi Barbaro (d. 1485). Domenico I Pisani, Lord of Antiparos, and lived (1463-1528).

 

1463-78 Dowager Queen Katarina Vukic Kosaca of Bosnia-Serbia

When the kingdom was occupied by the Ottomans in 1461, her husband Stjepan Tomasevic (1461-63) was killed and her son and daughter brought up

in the Islamic faith. She escaped and lived in exile in Rome where she died. As the legal representative of the Bosnian Kingdom, she left it to the Holy See. She lived (1424-78).

 

1463-65 Reigning Princess Isabelle de Clermont of Taranto, Titular Queen of Jerusalem (Italy)

Isabella di Chiaromonte succeeded her uncle, Giovanni Antonio Orsini Del Balzo and had been married to Ferrante di Aragona since 1444/45, the natural son of Alfonso V of Aragon who had conquered the Napolitan kingdom from French Angevins. Her husband became King of Napoli in 1458 and through her claimed the Kingdom of Jerusalem. The elder daughter of Tristan di Chiaramonte (Tristan de Clermont-Lodeve), Count of Cupertino, and Catherine Orsini Del Balzo di Taranto, daughter of Maria d’Enghien, she was mother of 6 children, and lived (circa 1424-65).

 

1463-74 Princess-Abbess Begina Grassler of Göss bei Leoben (Austria)

The Abbess had been a Prelate of the Realm in 1242 and member of the bank of the Swabian Prelates of the Realm in the Imperial Diet – Schwäbisches Reichsprälatenkollegium.

 

1463-69 Princess-Abbess Margaretha von Merwitz of Gernrode and Frose (Germany)

Elected Pröbstin of Frose in 1425, which meant that she was the head of that dependent chapter. She gave the tenantcies of “the Castle of Plötzkau with dependencies, the Stewardship of Gernrode and Badeborn, the Lord-service (herrendienst) and half of the excise of Gernrode, estates in Asmersleben, the income from Frose and a “free farm”, and some rights in Juezer, Balberge, Pösigkau und Möllendorf and the Sewardship of Walda” jointly to the to Sovereign Princes Georg I. von Anhalt-Zerbs, Adol and Albrecht in 1468.

 

Around 1463 Princess-Abbess Suzanne d’Eptingen of the Royal Abbey of Andlau, Lady of Wagenbourg and Marlenheim etc. (France)

Confirmed the fief, castle and village of Wangenbourg at Georges de Wangen and his brothers.

 

1464-1505 Sovereign Princess Marietta Da Korogna of Sifanto
1464-76 Sovereign Princess of Zia (Greek Island States)

Married to Nicolo Gozzadini II (Nikolaos B’ Goranidis or Gozadini). They reigned during very difficult times for the island, which was under attack from the Turks and experienced as serious reduction of the population.

 

1464-79 Baroness Regnant Catherine de Coarraze of Coarraze and Aspet (France)

When she succeeded her father, her husband, Count Mathieu de Foix had been dead for 11 years, and her reign was troubled by family feuds, and in 1479 she lost the Castle and Barony of Coarraze and withdrew to Aspet. Ruined by the feuds, she sold the barony to Jean de Foix, Vicomte de Narbonne in 1483, and sought refuge at he Castle of Durfort in the village of Galey in Couserans. The mother of two daughters, she lived (1431-92).

 

1464-1506 De-facto Ruler Ginevra Sforza of Bologna (Italy)

Totally dominated her second husband, Giovanni II Bentivoglio. Also her first husband, Sante Bentivoglio, ruled the state 1454 until his death in 1462.

She was illegitimate daughter of Alessandro Sforza, Lord of Pesaro, and she lived (1440-1507).

 

1464-83 Politically Influential Queen Elizabeth Woodville of England (United Kingdom)
1475 “Guardian of the Keeper of the Realm”

In 1464 she was married privately to King Edward IV, who reigned (1461-70 and 1471-83). Apparently she was a greedy, unscrupulous woman who insisted on the King showering lands and wealth on all her relations. In 1470 her husband was in exile and she had to take sanctuary at Westminster. In 1475 her infant old son, the later Edward V, was appointed “Keeper of the Realm” and she was named his guardian during her husband’s absence from the country. When her husband died she attempted to play a part in the regency but instead her marriage was declared invalid and she took sanctuary again. The most extraordinary point in her career was reached when the wily Richard III tempted her to come to his Court again and she went through some sort of reconciliation with him. Henry VII never trusted her and, in 1487, she went to reside in the nunnery at Bermondsey on a pension. She was daughter of Sir Richard Woodville, 1st Earl Rivers, and Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford, of the house of Luxemburg, and had first been married Sir John Grey of Groby, a Lancastrian, who fell at St. Albans in 1461. By him she had two sons. With Edward she had 10 children, among whom was Elizabeth of York, who married Henry VII and the “Princes in the Tower”, Edward V and his brother, Richard, Duke of York, who were murdered, apparently, by their uncle, Richard III. She lived (1437-65).

 

1464-96 Reigning Abbess Anna von Reischach von Reichenstein-Linz of Wald, Lady of the Offices of Wald, Vernhof and Ennigerloh (Germany)

Resigned (d. 1499).

 

1464 Acting Lady Anne Jensdatter Present of Gotland (Sweden)

Acting Lensherre – representative of the king – jointly with brother-in-law Filip Axelsen Thott after the death of her husband, Oluf Axelsen Thott, whose third wife she was. She (d. 1485/87)

 

1465-97 De-Facto Reigning Duchess Sophia von Hinterpommern of Rügenwalde in Pommern (Poland)

Left her husband, Erich II of Pommern-Wolgast, Hinterpommern and Stettin (1425-74) and moved with her children to the Duchy of Rügenwalde alone

only with the aid of her Lord-Chancellor Lord Ritter Johann von Massow. In 1459 Erich I had died and left the Duchy of Hinterpommern without heirs. Sophia and Erich II hurried there because she saw herself as the sole heir, but the following year a war of succession broke out with various other pretenders. She remained in her lands until her death. She was daughter of Bogislaw IX von Hinterpommern and Sophie von Schleswig-Holstein. She lived (1435-97).

 

1465-75 Reigning Abbess Ursule de la Viefville of Bourbourg, Lady of Oxelaere, Noordpeene, Faumont and Coutiches (France)

Sister of Bonne, who reigned 1438-65.

 

1466-72 Female King Atotoztli of Tenochtitlán (Mexico)

Also known as Huitzilxochtzin. Sources indicate that she might have acted as tlatoani (King) of the kingdom during a six-year gap between the reigns of

Motecuhzoma I and Axayacatl. This possibility is raised by the document ‘Los Anales de Tula’. Another document, the ‘Relación de la genealogía’ goes even further, claiming that this Atotoztli actually ruled for more than thirty years. The reason so little is known about her reign because the official Aztec scribes—almost all of whom were men—neglected to mention the female tlatoani since female rulers were so uncommon. Thus, rather than mentioning her, most scribes filled this gap between male kings either by extending the reign of Motecuhzoma I beyond his death, or by pushing back the beginning of Axayacatl’s reign to a date before his actual inauguration. Shewas daughter of the Aztec emperor Moctezuma I and Chichimecacihuatzin, the daughter of Cuauhtototzin, the ruler of Cuauhnahuac, and married Tezozomoc, son of the previous emperor Itzcoatl, and gave birth to three sons who would later become emperors themselves: Axayacatl, Tizoc, and Ahuitzotl.

 

1466-69 Regent Duchess Yolande de Valois of Savoia, the Counties of Aosta, Moriana and Nizza and the Principality of Piemonte
1471-1472-78 Regent Dowager Duchess of Savoy (Italy)

Jolanda di Valois was in charge of the government during the illness of husband, Amedeo IX. With the help of her brother, King Louis XI of France, she managed to fight of the armed resistance of her three sons. After Amadeo’s death she became regent for her son, Duke Philiberto I of Savoy and Titular-king of Armenia, Cyprus and Jerusalem, who died 18 years old in 1482. She managed to manoeuvre between the interests of her brother and Charles, Duke of Burgundy. She was daughter of King Charles VII of France and Maria di Napoli, and lived (1434-78).

1466-94 Regent Dowager Countess Theda Ukena of Ostfriesland (Germany)

Grand-daughter of the Friesian chief Fokko Ukena and married Ulrich Cirksena who was created count of Ostfriesland in 1454 one

year after their marriage. After his death she was first regent for son Enno I, who drowned in 1491 and then for Edzard I. She successfully led her troops in warfare against other major chiefs and counts in the Friesland area.

 

1466-80 Dowager Reigning Lady Dowager Countess Katharina von Gemen of the Office and Castle of Gronau in Bentheim-Steinfurt (Germany)

After the death of her husband, Arnold I von Bentheim-Steinfurt, she reigned her dowry, until she resigned in 1480. She lived (after 1439-1502).

 

Until 1466 Sovereign Countess Marguerite d’Orléans of Vertus-en-Champagne (France)

Daughter of Louis de France, Duc de Touraine, d’Orléans etc., and married Richard de Bretagne, comte d’Étampes. She lived (1406-66).

 

1467 Princess Regnant Bigum Hatun of Qara Quyünlü (Black Sheep Turks in Iran/Iraq)

After the death of Jahanshah (1435-67) she held power before the Hassan Ali came on the throne of the Emirate of Qara Qoyunu, Turkmen vassals of the Jalayirids in Eastern Anatolia. They became independent in 1389, after the Jalayirids had been overrun by Tamerlane’s Timurids.

 

From 1467 Sovereign Countess Margarete of Leiningen-Westerburg (Germany)

Following the death of her brother Hesso, the last male of the family, she took possession of the lands. She was the widow of Richard zu Westerburg and became the founder of the lines of Alt-Leiningen-Westerburg and Neu-Leiningen-Westerburg.

 

1468-77 Regent Great Dowager Queen Yun Jong-hi of Korea

Also known as Jong-hi Wang-hu, she ruled in the name of her son Ye-jong II after the death of her husband, Great King Se-jo. In 1469 her son died and

was succeeded by a nephew, her grandson Song-jong (1457-69-95). She was daughter of the Prime Minister, and lived (1418-83).

 

1468-69 De Facto Reigning Dowager Countess Marie von Croÿ of Blankenheim (Germany)

She managed to keep control of the territory for a period after her husband, Wilhelm von Blankenheim, had been killed in battle, but in the end had to give in to her in-laws. At first she pretended to be pregnant, and then petitioned Duke Charles von Burgund for aid and assistance. In 1471 her marriage to Wilhelm von Vierneburg ended the feud.

 

1468-70 Claimant Elisabeth von Schleiden of the County of Blankenheim (Germany)

Daughter of Johanna von Blankenheim and Johann von Scheiden, she claimed the County after her cousin, Wilhelm von Blankenheim, had been killed in battle, without leaving any heirs. Elisabeth’s son Dietrich von Manderscheid came in possession of the territories Blankenheim and Gerolstein in 1470, but the disagreements with other branches of the family continued for many years.

 

1469-82 Politically Influential Lucrezia Tornabuoni of Firenze (Italy)

During the reign of her son, Lorenzo de’ Medici, she was very involved in the political life of the Republic and exercised considerable influence. She also

also wrote sonnets, She was a daughter of Francesco Tornabuoni and Selvaggia Alessandrini. and was married to Piero di Cosimo de’ Medici, son of Cosimo de’ Medici, a wealthy banker from Florence, who helped the family return from their exile from the City State. She lived (1425-82)

 

1469-87 Politically Influential Clarice Orsini of Firenze (Italy)

Functioned as representative – as a quasi-diplomat – of her husband, Lorenzo de’ Medici, during his tenure as de-facto ruler of the Florentine Republic. She was mother of Pope Leo X and daughter of Giacomo Orsini, Lord of Monterotondo and Bracciano, and his wife and cousin Maddalena Orsini. She lived (circa 1453-87).

 

1469-1504 Princess-Abbess Scholastika von Anhalt-Zerbst of Gernrode and Frose (Germany)

The Princess grew up in the Convent of Helfta and became a canoniss in Quedlinburg before she was elected Fürstäbtissin at the age of

18, but was not confirmed in office by Emperor Friederich III until 1488. She stabilized the internal affairs of the chapter, but the finances was put under heavy strain by a process against the Bishop of Halberstadt, who had made a dam which flodded parts of the lands of the territory. After 24 years it ended with a settlement. She was daughter of Georg I von Anhalt-Zerbst and Sophie von Honstein (d. 1451). Her aunt, Mechtildis, had been sovereign of the territory 1451-63, and her sister, Agnes was Princess-Abbess of Gandersheim from 1485. Scholastika lived (1451-1504).

 

1469-75 Acting Reigning Abbess Margaretha III von Paulstorff of Niedermünster in Regensburg (Germany)

As Coadjurix she was Acting Chief of the chapter and territory.

 

1469-1490/1492 Politically Influential Catherine Cantacuzina Branković in the Ottoman Empire (Covering The Balkans, what is now Greece, Turkey, parts of the Middle East and Northern Africa)

When her husband, Count Ulrich II of Celli (1406-56), died she inherited his properties, but was obliged to conclude a treaty one year later with Friedrich III Duke of Austria under which she handed over all the Cilli castles in Carinthia, Styria and Carniola while she retained the family castles in Hungary and Croatia. However, in 1460 she was had to sell her remaining properties to Vitovec, Ban of Slavonia, and retired to Dubrovnik. 9 years later she joined her younger sister, Mara Branković, widow of Sultan Murad II of the Ottoman Empire, at her residence in Ježevo (probably identical to the modern settlement of Dafni in Mount Athos), who was and advisor of her step-son Mehmed from 1451. Together with her sister, she acted as intermediary during the Turkish/Venetian war which lasted until 1479. The daughter of Despot Đurađ Branković of Serbia and Eirene Kantakouzene, she lived (circa 1418-1490/1492).

 

1470-82 Regent Princess Madeleine de France of Andorra and Foix-Béarn (France)
1479-83 and 1483-84 Regent of Navarra (Spain)

Also known as Madalena de Valois, she was in charge of the government in the name of Francesco in Foix-Béarn and Andorra 1470-83 after her

husband, Count Gaston V’s death. In 1479 her son succeeded his paternal grandmother, Queen Leonor, who only reigned a few months, in Navarra, After Francesco’s premature death, she became regent for daughter, Catalina, but her brother-in-law, Jean de Foix, claimed the throne on the basis of salic law, which had never been used in Navarra. This led to civil war, and she was taken hostage by Ferdinand II of Aragon in 1494, and died the following year. Her death provoked fresh conflict. She was daughter of Charles VII of France and Isabeau of Bavaria and lived (1443-95).

 

1470-circa 92 Regent Khatun Mandughai of Mongolia

Also known as Mandugaya Setsen Khatun, she was widow of Grand Khan Mandaghol, the 27th successor of Jengis Khan, who was succeeded by his nephew, Bolkho, in 1467. When he was assassinated three years later, the mother of his five-year-old son, Dayan Qagani, had deserted the child, and Mandughai took him under her protection, proclaimed him khan, and became his regent. She assumed command of the Mongol troops and defeated their enemy, the Oirat. In 1481 she married Dayan, and 1491-92 she again lead the army to fend off the Orat. She lived (circa 1448-circa 1492).

 

1470-90 We Ban-ri Gau Daeng Marawa Makalappi Bisu-ri La Langpili Patta-ri La We Larang, Arumpone of Bone (Indonesia)

Styled Arung Majang before her accession on the death of her father. Her ceremonial name was Malajangi-ri China, and she was mother of two sons.

 

1470-… Sultana Narisa Malik uz-Zahir of Samudra Pasai Kesepulih (Indonesia)

Daughter of Sultan Kadir al Malik uz-Zahir ibnu al-Marhum of Pasai and married to Sultan Muhammad of Aceh, who reigned (1465-77).

 

1470-97 Temporary Regent Ingeborg Åkesdotter Tott the County of Gripsholm with the Shires of Selebo, Åkers, Österrekarnas and Villåttinge and the Estate of Strömsrum (Sweden)
1504-07 Reigning Dowager Lady of the fief of Häme Castle (Finland)

Often in charge of Gripsholms Län after her second husband, Sten Gustafsson Sture, became regent of Sweden. She was highly interested in science, theology and education and known as the patron of such things. She encouraged the foundation of the first secular university in Sweden, the Uppsala Academy and the Uppsala University in 1477, and gave large and independent donations from her own money to print books and finance libraries. When union with Denmark was re-established, and the Danish king made regent of Sweden in 1497, she and her husband left for Finland, where they held a grand court at Tavastehus Castle. In 1501, a rebellion broke out and her husband again retook his position. After his death in 1503, she withdraw to her estates. In 1505, the castellan Folke Gregerinpolka tired to take the castle by force with the support of the council, but she was supported by the people and by some of the nobility and his troops had to retreat. She lived (1440s-1507).

 

 1470s Legendary Resistance Leader Marfa Boretskaya of Novgorod (Russia)

Also known as Marfa-posadnitsa – or Martha the Mayoress – and according to legend she led the Novgorodian opposition to Grand Prince Ivan III of

Muscovy. Her reputation derives from the “Slovesa izbranna,” a unique medieval account of events culminating in the Battle of Shelon’ in 1471. Its anonymous author vilifies Marfa for conspiring to align Novgorod politically and ecclesiastically with Lithuania and alleges that her treasonous, heretical acts prompted Ivan III’s retribution against Novgorod. This article correlates the literary portrait with other documentation, including charters, land cadastres, and chronicles. These sources confirm that Marfa Boretskaia was a wealthy widow, connected through kinship ties to a number of influential Novgorodian families, but not that she organized anti-Muscovite activities. Literary analysis identifies the “Slovesa izbranna” as a work of homiletic rhetoric. By exploiting misogynistic biases to demonize Marfa, the writer hoped to divert the blame for Novgorod’s transgressions away from his clients, Archbishop Feofil and the ecclesiastical administration at the Cathedral of St. Sophia, and thus to forestall anticipated reprisals by Moscow against the Novgorodian church. Novgorod was finally conquered in 1478.

 

1471-75 Regent Infanta Joana of Portugal

In charge of the government during a military campaign of her father, king Afonso V (1438-81). At birth, she was declared Crown Princess after the death of her older brother João who died as an infant the year before, and she was given the title of Princess – a title reserved to the heir apparent. When brother, Joao was born in 1555 she became second-in-line to the throne. After vehemently refusing several proposals of marriage, she was allowed to join the Dominican Convent of Jesus in Aveiro in 1475 after her brother, had his first child. Still, she was compelled several times to leave the convent and return to the court, before she was finally professed as a nun. She continued to be a great supporter of her brother, the later king João II of Portugal, throughout his reign and her life. She was beatified in 1693 by Pope Innocent XII, and even though she has not been canonized, she is known as Santa Joana Princesa, and lived (1452-90).

 

1471-72 and 1477-81 Regent Princess Catarina van Egmond-Gelders of Gelders and Zypten (The Netherlands)

First reigned on behalf of her brother, Adolf II, who was held prisoner and later for son, Karel van Egmond (1492-1538). In 1479 her

claims was recognized by France who supported her against Emperor Maximilian I von Habsburg, who in the end drew her away. She was daughter of Duke Arnold van Egmond-Gelders and Katharina von Kleve, and lived (1439-96).

 

1471-1514 Reigning Dowager Lady Anna von Nassau-Dillenburg of Lüchow in Braunschweig (Germany)
1479-86 Member of the Council of Regency of Braunschweig-Lüneburg
1479-1514 Reigning Dowager Lady of Ziegenhain and Nidda in Katzenelnbogen

After the death of her husband Duke Otto (1438-64-71), she withdrew to her dowry in Lüchow. In 1474 she married Count Philipp von Katzenelnbogen and leased her dowry out, and left her children behind in Celle as costmary for princely widows at the time. After Philipp’s death in 1479, she returned to Braunschweig, where her son Heinrich had succeeded his grandfather Friederich II (reigned 1451-57, d. 1578) as Duke a few months before. She was given a large sum to give up claims to the County of Katzenelnbogen (her step-daughter Anna (1443-94) was among the claimants of the county). In 1481 she is mentioned in the sources as her as part of the regency council, even though no official sources of her installation as regent has survived. She reformed the economy of the country; spend money on religious institutions and charity. Her son proved to be a totally irresponsible ruler, and with the help of the Estates, became head of a council that virtually empowered him. She put much energy in reforming the economy but many depths remained when she again withdrew to her dowry. 1495 was also the year that Celle was hit by the plague and she therefore reformed the hospitals. During her last years she travelled a lot visiting family, and lived (1440-1515).

 

1471-94 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Landgravine Mechthild von Württemberg of the City and Office of Rotenburg an der Fulda and the Castle and Office of Gudensberg in Hessen (Niederhessen) (Germany)

Even though she had been asked to take the regency, she transferred the guardianship for her two sons Wilhelm the Older and Wilhelm the Middle in Niederhessen, to her brother-in-law Heinrich III in Oberhessen. three days after the death of her husband, Ludwig II. Instead she was given a rich dowry and she was possibly in charge of the upbringing of her sons, and she remained influential in the government of the county. She lived (circa 1444-94).

 

1471-75 Reigning Dowager Duchess Margareta of Masowia of Bernstadt and Oels (Bierutów and Oleśnica) (Then Germany, now Poland)

Also known as Małgorzata, she had been politically active since her marriage to the Slesian Prince of Oleśnica, Konrad IX, in 1447/53 and after his death she held the duchy as her dowry, and 1575 her daughter, Barbara took over as Duchess of Oels. Daughter of prince of Małopolska Siemowit V (Ziemovit von Masowien) and Małgorzata, she lived 1436/41- after 1483).

 

1471-1504 Princess-Abbess Margarethe III vom Feld of Baindt (Germany)

In 1478, by a visitation of the bishop of Trient, the Chapter was “Hortus Floridus” – describer of flowers – for the first time.

 

Around 1471 Reigning Abbess Osanna Jäger of Königsfelden (Switzerland)

The Chapter acquired many possessions in Aargau, Swabia and Alsace, but the abbess did apparently not have the dignity of Princess of the Empire.

 

Until 1472 Sovereign Countess Isabelle de Luxembourg-Saint-Pôl of Guise (France)

Married Charles d’Anjou, Duc de Maine, whose first wife was Corbella Ruffo, Contessa di Montalto e di Corigliano (d. 1442). She was mother of one daughter, Louise (1445-77), who was married to Jacques, Comte d’Armagnac and Duc de Nemours.

 

1472-92 Reigning Abbess Apollonia von Hohenberg of Königsfelden (Switzerland)

Daughter of Sigmund von Hohenberg, of the House of Hohenzollern, and Ursula von Räzüns.

 

After 1472-1503 Politically Influential Grand Duchess Sophia Palaiologina of Moscow and Russia

Over the years she started to wield great influence on her aged husband, Ival III, Grand Prince of Moscow and Grand Prince of all the Russians (1440-

1505). It is thought that she was the first to introduce the Kremlin to grand Byzantine ceremonies and meticulous etiquette. The idea of Moscow as the Third Rome evidently pleased her. Shortly before her death she persuaded her husband to pass the throne to her son Vasili, rather than to Ivan’s grandson Dmitry, as had been planned earlier. Apart from Vasili III, only her fifth son, Andrey of Staritsa, left issue. She was daughter of Thomas Palaeologus, the Despot of Morea and was taken to Rome together with her brothers after conquest of Morea by Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire in 1460. In Rome, her Greek name Zoe was changed to Sophia. She lived (circa 1455-1503).

 

1473-74 Regent Dowager Queen Catherine Cornaro of Cyprus
1474-89 Queen Regnant of Cyprus and Titular Queen of Jerusalem and Armenia
1489-1510 Sovereign Countess of Alonso (Italy)

When her husband King Jacques II died, she was appointed Queen until the birth of an heir, with a council of regency among whom were her uncles, but her son King Jacques III only lived one year. The Venetians acquired increased importance, but their pretensions were resented by the Cypriot nobility, who designed to place on the throne Alfonso, a natural son of Ferdinand of Napoli. The Latin archbishop, Fabricius, who was the leader of Alfonso’s party, arrived in Cyprus with two armed galleys and a letter from the Pope denouncing her uncles Andrea Cornaro and Marco Bembo as murderers of her husband, and they were killed. But the Cypriots did not support the conspiracy. On the arrival of a Venetian fleet at Famagusta to demand satisfaction for the murder of her uncles, the conspirators sought safety in flight. She was allowed to remain Queen of Cyprus, but had no real power, since all the principal offices of the kingdom were in the hands of the Venetians. After 15 years she was persuaded to leave Cyprus. To compensate her she was allowed to retain the title of Queen, with an ample allowance. In 1489 she embarked for Venice, and remained in exile at Alonso for the remainder of her life. She lived (1454-1510).

 

1473-83 Sovereign Duchess Yolande d’Anjou of Lorraine
1480-83 Duchess of Bar, Countess d’Alsace (France)
1480-83 Titular Queen of Sicily, Sardegna and Jerusalem

Her brother, Jean II, succeeded their mother, Isabelle, who was Duchess 1431-53), and when he died, his son, Nicolas, inherited the title. She succeeded

him, but transferred the Duchy to her son, Ferry II, and did the same when she inherited the Duchy of Bar from her father. From him, René I d’Anjou, Count of Guise, Provence and Forcalquier Duke d’Anjou, King of Napoli and Titular king of Sicily, Hungary, Jerusalem and Aragon (1409-80). From him she also inherited the claim to Jerusalem. She was married to Ferry II de Lorraine, Count de Vaudémont and Lord de Joinville (circa 1428-70), son of Antoine de Lorraine and Marie, Comtesse d’Aumale et baronne d’Elbeuf. She lived (1428-83).

 

1473 Edaiken Edeleyo of Benin (Nigeria)

King Ezoti was killed by an aggravated palace boy during his coronation. A relative, Owere, was elected king, but both he and his mother were assassinated on the way back by his uncle, Okpame – but news of Okpame’s action leaked, and he was banished to Ora. Fear of Okpame made Owere’s brother, Olua, refuse the throne and instead his older sister, Edeleyo was invited to become Oba. She was actually installed as Edaiken but fell ill to an unspecified incurable female complaint on her way to Uselu. Since her problem was incurable and of “a peculiarly female nature” it was enacted that no woman should be allowed to reign in the future. But Queen-Mothers continued to be important and still is.

 

1473-88 Reigning Abbess Ursula Egglofer of Gutenzell (Germany)

The Swabian Chapter was mainly for Swabian noble maidens.

 

1473-86 Princess-Abbess Gertrudis de Sombreffe of Thorn (The Netherlands)

Countess Eva van Isenburg, was elected as her successor in 1486, but another of the ladies of the chapter, Amalia van Rennenberg, claimed to be have more right to the position of sovereign of the territory. Emperor Maximillian supported Eva, but Amalia and her brother Count Willem van Rennenberg attacked the Abbey, and the succession was not finally settled until 1502 with Eva as the winner.

 

1473 Princess-Abbess Catherine III de Neufchatel of Remiremont (France)

Her election was not confirmed. A sister, Agnes was a nun at Remiremont until her death in 1474 and another, Marguerite, was Abbess of Baume-les-Dame. They were children of Thibaud IX, Lord de Neufchatel, de Blamont, etc, Vicomte de Baume, Marshall and Captain-General of Burgundy and Bonne de Chateauvillain, Dame de Grancey. Catherine lived (1455-1501).

 

1473-1505 Princess-Abbess Jeanne III d’Anglure de Germainvilliers of Remiremont (France)

Doyenne and Second in Command 1427-52, and probably held other offices until her election as sovereign of the statelet. In 1484 the troops of Maréchal de Bourgogne and the Lord de Joinville fought a battle on the walls of Remiremont and the lands of the abbey was ruined by the war. Also Dame de Germainvilliers, and lived (1474-1505).

 

1473-93 Politically Influential Duchess Eleonora de Aragon of Modena and Ferrara

Held firmly on to the reins of government during the absences of her husband Ercole I d’Este, showing herself to be decisive and authoritative, but also wise and level-headed. She had first been married to Massimiliano Sforza, Duke of Bari and was daughter of Ferdinando I of Napoli and Isabella of Tarento and lived (1450-93).

 

1474-1504 Queen Isabel I de Trastamara of Castilla and León (Spain)

The daughter of Juan II of Castile and León by his second wife, Isabella of Portugal. In 1469 she married Fernando de Aragón. She

succeeded her brother Enrico IV, but Alfonso V of Portugal, who supported the claim of her brother’s daughter, Juana la Beltraneja, attacked Castile and León but was defeated by the Castilian army in 1476. Three years later her husband became King Fernando V the Catholic of Aragón. This union of the two main Spanish kingdoms laid the foundation of Spain’s future greatness. They had five children, including Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII of England, and Juana the Mad. Isabella and her husband (known together as “the Catholic monarchs”) are remembered for initiating the Inquisition in 1478, for completing the re-conquest of Spain from the Moors and for their ruthless expulsion of the Spanish Jews, both in 1492. That same year they sponsored Christopher Columbus’s voyage, which led to the creation of the overseas Spanish colonial empire, bringing great wealth and power to Spain. She lived (1451-1504).

 

1474-76 Pretender Infanta Juana da Beltraneja of Castilla (Spain)

In 1454 her father, Enrico IV appointed her heiress to the throne (Princess of Asturias) after he had disinherited Isabel after her marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon. Rumours had it that she was the result of an affair between her mother, Juana of Portugal, and Beltrán de la Cueva, and therefore the paternity was disputed, and she was passed over in the succession in favour of her aunt, Queen Isabel I. She rebelled but in 1479 she signed off her rights to the throne and the following year she entered a Chapter in Portugal. Juana lived (1462-1530).

 

1474 Acting Captain-Donatary Antonia de Burges of the Island of Terceira in Azores (Portugal)

Reigned as governor of the king of Portugal in the absence of her father, Jacome de Burges, who had evidently disappeared during a sea voyage, and in spite of the fact that the captaincy was originally granted with a stipulation that if there were no male heir, she would inherit it, the King Afonso V, gave it in part to Joao Vaz Corte-Real.

 

Until 1474 Hereditary Marshall Irmgard von Wevelinghoven of the Archbishopric of Köln and Heiress of Alfter (Germany)

Married to Count Johann VI von Reifferscheid, Count zu Salm (d. 1475).

 

1474-97 Princess-Abbess Ursula von Silberberg of Göss bei Leoben (Austria)

Member of a noble family from Steiermark.

 

Until 1474 Princess-Abbess Beatrix von Enzberg of Rottenmünster (Germany)

Resigned because of fights between different factions of the ladies of the chapter.

 

1474-90 Princess-Abbess Marguerite II van Hauchin of Nivelles, Dame Temporaire and Spirituelle of Nivelles (Belgium)

Another member of the family, Joannes Hauchinus (Hauchin) (1527-89), was the second Archbishop of Mechelen.

 

1475-78 Sovereign Duchess Barbara von Ohlau of Oleśnica (Oels) (Then Germany, now Poland)

The Polish version of her name is Barbara Oleśnicka, she was daughter of Duke Konrad IX and Małgorzata, who reigned 1471-75.

 

1475-… Hereditary Castellana Ludovica Hofer of Duino in Trieste (Italy)

Her father, Matteo Hofer (or Hoffer) had been given the fief by Emperor Maximilian in 1473. Ludovica was married to Raimondo IV della Torre. In 1653 the fief reverted to the state, but the family continued to rule the area and it was handed down trough the female line to the families of Della Torre Valvassina, Hohenlohe, Thurn und Taxis and Torre e Tasso.

 

1475-1520 Princess-Abbess Agnes von Notthafft of Niedermünster in Regensburg (Germany)

1494 she was appointed Princess of the Empire and was granted a vote in the College of the Prelates of the Rhine, whose 17 members (Princess-Abbesses

and Prince-Abbots) had a joint vote in the Council of the Princes of the Holy Roman Diet (Reichstag), where the representative of the Prelates sat on the Ecclesiastical Bench (Geistliche Bank der Reichsfürstenrat). The Reichstag frequently met in Regensburg, and from 1500 she was member of the Geistlischen Fürstenbank (Lords Spiritual) of the Bayrischer Kreis (Bavarian Circle). She was daughter of Count Albrecht von Notthafft von Wernberg (1422-68), Her niece, Kunigunde, was Lady of the Chapter and was mentioned as the “Old Lady of the Chapter” in 1560, and lived (before 1440-1580).

 

1475-95 Reigning Abbess Barbe I d’Ollenhain d’Estaimbourg of Bourbourg, Lady of Oxelaere, Noordpeene, Faumont and Coutiches (France)

Daughter of the Lord of Estaimbourg.

 

1475-93 Reigning Dowager Lady Katharina von Österreich of the Administrative Office and Castle of Hohenbaden in Baden-Baden (Germany)

Widow of Margrave Karl I von Baden (1453-75), who was succeeded by their oldest son, Christoph I, who build the “New Castle” and left the old one for his mother as her residence and dowry. Among her other 5 children was Margareta, Abbess in Lichtenthal, who lived (1452-95). Katharina lived (1423-93).

 

1476-81 Regent Dowager Duchess Bona di Savoia of Milano (Italy)

After the death of her husband, Galeazzo, she became took over the regency for their son, Gian Galazzo II (1476-94), until she was replaced by her brother-in-law, Lodovico the Moor in 1474. She was daughter of Duke Ludovico I of Savoy (1343-65) and Princess Anne de Lusignan Cyprus, mother of four children and lived (1449-1503).

 

1476 De-Facto Ruler Duchess Barbara von Brandenburg of Glogau and Krossen (Głogów-Krosno/Krosno Odrzańskie) (Poland/Germany)
1476-1510 Reigning Lady in Züllichau und Crossen

Her first husband, Heinrich XI of Glogau and Krossen (Głogów and Krosno) died in February and in August 1476, she married per procura Ladislaus II Jagiellon of Bohemia and Hungary, but they never met and as her husband wanted to marry the Anna von Habsburg of Bohemia and Hungary and in 1495 she asked the pope to annul her marriage and got engaged to Konrad von Heideck. As reaction her family imprisoned her in the Castle of Plassburg. Five years later the divorce was granted and nothing more is known of her, but she probably remained at Plassburg. She was daughter of margrave Albrecht Achilles Hohenzollern and his wife Anna, and lived (1464-1515).

 

1476-79 Contra-Abbess Jakobe von Neuenhar of Herford (Germany)

In oppositon to Abbess Margarete von Gleichen (1442-84). Margarete von Braunschweig-Grubenhagen had been Contra-Abbess 1442-43.

 

1476-81 Territorial Countess Anne Mowbray of Norfolk (United Kingdom of Great Britain)

Norfolk was an autonomous fiefdom from the Norman conquest. She was the only child of John Mowbray, 4th. Duke of Norfolk. She was only three