Quote:
Originally Posted by GA Russell
Actually, many queens have been head of state over the centuries, such as Isabella of Castille and Elizabeth I of England.
Anyone have an idea who might have been the first female head of state in the Western world? (I suppose we cannot count Cleopatra of Egypt, which is southwest of Israel.)
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Empress Matilda (1102–1167), daughter of Henry I of England, perhaps
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_Matilda
"Her attempt to be crowned at Westminster collapsed in the face of bitter opposition from the Londoners"
Matilda returned to Normandy, now in the hands of her husband, in 1148, leaving her eldest son to continue the campaign in England; he eventually succeeded to the throne as Henry II in 1154.
Hungary
Mary (ruled 1382–1385 and 1386-1395) - she was crowned as King of Hungary to emphasize that she was a monarch in her own right; she co-ruled with her husband Sigismund of Luxembourg from 1387
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary,_Queen_of_Hungary
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_I_of_Denmark
Margaret I of Denmark, certainly (ruled 1387–1412)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_I_of_England
Bloody Mary, 1553
There were many successful female Regents however.
See also
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...regnant#Europe