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Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
WOMEN IN
POWER
1000-1100
Female
leaders
and women in other positions of political authority
of independent states and
self-governing understate entities
 |
Ca.
1000 Queen Shawata of Kufuru (Kofana) (Nigeria) |
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The
last of 15 successive Queens, she succeeded Magajiya, who reigned ca.
700, Gino (Gufano), Yakunya (Yfakaniya), Walzamu (Waizam),
Yanbam Gizirigzit (Gadar-Gadar), Imagari (Anagiri), Dura, Gamata,
Shata, Batatume, Sandamata, Jamata, Hamata and Zama. |
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Around 1000 Hereditary Countess Eve of Dreux and Dauphine
(France) |
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Succeeded father Landry and reigned jointly with her husband, Gauthier
de Vexin. |
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Around 1000 Leader Badit bint Maja of the "Politically
Organized Islamic Society" in Ethiopia |
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Leader of a tribe or a substate-entity.
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Around 1000 Administrator Queen Mahadevi of Maruvolal in
Karnataka (India) |
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In
charge of Marol in the Bijapur District of Karnataka. She was the
daughter of Irivabedanga Satyasraya (Emperor in 997-1008).
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1001-42 Politically Influential and Partner in Power Queen Emma
de Normandie of England (United Kingdom) |
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Also known as Alfgifu, and is thought to have been sharing the royal
lordship with her husband, King Ćthelred II of England, who died 1116,
but her power seems to have been limited by the fact that she was his
second or third wife. In the years 1013-16 England was conquered by
King Knud of Denmark, 1014-15 she and her husband sought refuge by her
relatives in Normandy. Knud defeated her stepson and claimed the
throne. Her marriage to him was both a sign of reconciliation and a
demonstration of his power with her as the symbol of both the English
defeat and continuity. And it became the culmination of her power and
she became the most visible Queen so far. During Knud's frequent
visits to Denmark, where he had become king in 1019, her role was
close to that of a regent. When Knud died, his son from an earlier
marriage, Harald Harefod, claimed the throne and she had to fight to
secure the interests of her own son. She maintained the control of the
treasury and tax collection from her Dowry in the City of Winchester.
When Harald's grip on England strengthened, she was send in exile to
Flanders, but when he died in 1040, she returned to England with her
son, Hardeknud, and during his two years on the throne, she again
shared the power, but when her oldest son, Edward succeeded to the
throne, he confiscated her estates and treasures and she withdrew
permanently to Winchester. She was daughter of Duke Richard I of
Normandy and Gunnor, and lived (980's-1052). |
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1002-24 Consors Regnii Empress Kunigunde von Bayern of
Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation
1012, 1016 etc. Regent
1021 Presiding over the Hearings in the Royal Court in Regsnburg
1024 Co-Regent Dowager Empress |
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Joint ruler and the closest advisor of her husband, Heinrich II, and
joint ruler. She took part in the Imperial Councils and in 1007 she
participated in the Synod of Frankfurt, 1012 she commanded the
Imperial Army and defeated the attacking Polish troops, in 1018 she
officially enthroned her brother Heinrich V as Duke of Bayern. After
her Husband's death, she held the royal insignia July till September,
and was regent together with her brother’s, Bishop Dietrich von Metz
and Heinrich until a successor was elected. She then handed over the
insignia to emperor Konrad II. She withdrew to a convent that she
founded herself and later became a saint. She lived (ca. 980-1033). |
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1003-07 Regent Dowager Countess Godila von Rothenburg of
Rothenburg and Guardian of Nordmark (Germany) |
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Related to Bishop Wigfried von Verdun (959-83) who secured the
paternal fief for her sons, after the death of her first husband
Lothar III, Count von Walbeck. Her oldest son, Werner, born in 990
when she was 13 years old. She had two more sons and a daughter in the
first marriage, and two children with her second husband, Hermann II,
counts von Werl (ca. 980-after 1024), whom she married in 1007. She
lived (Ca. 977-1015). |
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1003-11 Countess Regnant Toda Mumadona of Ribagorza (Spain) |
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Succeeded her brother, Isarno, and was succeeded by her niece, Munia
Mayor of Castilla, the daughter of her sister, Ava. Toda was married
to Count Sunyer of Pallars, and (d. 1011). |
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1003-25 Reigning Abbess Uta I von Kirchberg of Niedermünster in
Regensburg (Germany) |
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Also known as Uda,
she is considered as
one of the most important ladies in the history of the chapter. She
gave the monks in the neighbouring St. Emmeram the task of making an
expensive Evangelista, altar-book, which still exists. During her
reign the Convent was placed directly under the protection of the king
of Germany. |
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1008 and 1012-29 Regent Dowager Senatrix and Duchess Emilia of Gaeta (Italy) |
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As she was referred to as Senatrix at the time of her marriage, she was probably, member of the powerful Roman Crescenzi or Tusculani families. After the death of her husband, Giovanni III (984–1008) she was regent for her son Giovanni IV and after his death for grandson Giovanni
V (1012–1032). Initially she was opposed by her husband's nephew, Leo I, but her supporters expelled him. But then she had to deal with the opposition of her own son, Leo II, who expected to be accorded the regency. The two disputed the regency and co-undersigned charters until
January 1025, when Leo last appears in the Codex Caietanus. Emilia was the sole regent in a February charter. She supported the Pope and the Lombards against the Byzantine Empire. In 1027, when Duke Sergius IV was forced to flee Napoli, she gave him refuge and he conceded
to the Gaetans certain rights in travelling in Neapolitan land. An accord was signed between the rulers in February 1029. It is not known when her regency ended. She (d. 1036). |
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1010-? Sovereign Countess Melisende of Dunois (France)
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Daughter of Geoffoi II and married to Warin de Domfront of Alençon.
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1017-.. Regent Dowager Countess
Urraca Gómez of Castilla
(Spain) |
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After
the death of Sancho García of Castilla in 1017 she became regent for
her son, García Sánchez, who was murdered in 1029, and was succeeded
by her daughter, Mayor. |
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1029 Sovereign Countess Mayor of Castilla (Spain) |
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Also kown as
Muniadomna, she was daughter of García I of Castilla
and married
Count Sancho III of Navarra (999-1035).
As "Domna major regina" she confirmed a
charter of "Sancius Hispaniarum rex" dated 26 Jun 1033 which related
to concessions to the monastery of Oriense. She succeeded to the
County when her brother, García Sánches was murdered in 1029. As "Sancius…rex…cum
coniuge mea regina domina Maiora", she donated the monastery of San
Sebastian to the monastery of Leire by charter. She became a nun after
her husband died. The testament of "Maior regina Christi ancilla", by
which she founded the monastery of San Martín de Fromista 13 Jul 1066,
names her father but not her husband. She lived (ca. 994/96-after
1066). |
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1013-85 Sovereign Countess Irmgardis of Aspel (Germany) |
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Also known as Saint Irmgardis von Köln, the sources show her as Reigning Countess, and after her parents died, she distributed her wealth among hospitals, churches and social institutions. She lived a simple life in solitude and went on three pilgrimages to Rome. She spent her
last years in Köln, where she supported Chapters and Convents. She lived (1000-65/82/89). |
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1013-16 Supreme Commander of the Palace Shao-shi in China |
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An
official in the palace service organization, she appears to have
earned all her promotions through meritorious service. She had served
in the palace of Taizong (r.976-997) when he was a feudal prince. When
Taizong became emperor, she was made siyi (Director of
Clothing) then promoted to shanggong (Chief-of-services)
responsible for the Women’s Service Organization within the palace. In
997, Zhenzong (r.998-1022) named her qun furen (Commandery
Mistress) and in 1013, the emperor created a new title of gong
siling (Supreme Commander of the Palace) in her honor. In 1033,
Renzong (r.1023-1064) posthumously promoted her to minor wife status
by naming her taiyi (One of Supreme Deportment) and in 1044 to
xienfei (Worthy Consort).
She
(d.1016) |
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1014-72 Queen Dearbforgail of Munster and Ireland
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Daughter of King Brian Bory, her husband was king Dermont
MacMilmamo of Leister was also king of Ireland. |
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1015-.. Regent Dowager Duchess Gisela von Schwaben of Swabia
(Germany)
1024-39 Co-Regent of Germany
1026-39 Co-Regent of Italy
1027-39 Co-Regent of The Holy Roman Empire
1032-39 Co-Regent of Bourgogne |
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Daughter and heiress of Duke Hermann II von Schwaben and Gerberga de
Bourgogne, she reigned after the death of her second husband, Duke
Ernst I von Schwaben during the minority of their son, Ernst II, until
she was removed from the regency because she and Ernst I was too
closely related according to the Canon Law. She later married Konrad
II, and she was crowned Queen of Germany, and Holy Roman Empress. The
sources indicates that she was a vivid participant in the affairs of
the realm and took part in the Imperial Councils and acted as joint
regent of her husband, and it was trough her intervention that her
relative, Rudolf III of Burgundy transferred the succession to his
realm to her husband. She was also interested in the affairs of the
church and intervened in the appointments of Bishops and Princely
Abbots and participated in various synods. She was not at good terms
with her son, Heinrich III, and therefore she was less influential
after Konrad's death.
She lived
(989-1043). |
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Around 1015-42 Governor Princess Akkadevi, of a Province in
Karnataka |
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Sister of the Calukya king Jayasinha II. She fought battles and
superintended sieges. |
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Until 1016 Queen Sri Ajnadevi of Bali (Indonesia) |
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Not
much is known of Bali during the period when Indian traders brought
Hinduism to the Indonesian Archipelago. The earliest records found in
Bali, stone inscriptions, date from around the 9th century AD and by
that time Bali had already developed many similarities to the island
you find today. Rice was grown with the help of a complex irrigation
system probably very like that employed now. |
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1017-27 Joint Regent Abbess Urraca Garciez de Covarrubias of Castilla
(Spain) |
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The
Abbess of Covarrubias, she ruled jointly with bishop Pedro of Burgos
during the minority of her nephew, Count Garcia II (1110-17-29), after
her brother, Sancho had been killed. She was daughter of Count Garcia
I. |
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1017-27 Joint Regent Dowager
Countess Urraca Gómez of Castilla
(Spain) |
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After
the death of her husband, Sancho García of Castilla, in 1017 she
became regent for her son, García Sánchez, who was murdered in 1029,
and was succeeded by her daughter, Mayor. |
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1018-24 Regent Dowager Countess Ermessenda de Carasconne of
Barcelona (Spain)
1035-44 Regent of the County |
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During the reign of her husband Ramon Borrell presided over assemblies
and tribunals, participated in military campaigns, and after his death
she continued as regent first for son Berenguer Ramon I and then for
grandson Ramon Berenguer I and became the stabilizing factor in the
politics of the state. She lived (795-1058). |
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Around 1019 Administrator Queen Jogabbarasi of the Village of
Ajjadi in Karnataka (India) |
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Reigned the village which was situated in Karnataka in Southern India. |
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Around 1019 Administrator Queen Lakshmadevi of Dronapura in
Karnataka (India)
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In charge of the
village in Karnataka in Southern India. |
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1020-24 Regent Naib us Sultanat Sitt al-Moluk of Egypt |
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Also known as the Lady of Cairo, her name means "Lady of Power", and
assumed power after having arranged the "disappearance" of her brother
Imam Hakim bin Amr Allah. She had his son al-Zahir proclaimed Imam and
Caliph and she became regent. She appointed competent ministers,
managed to bring the economy in order and brought peace to the
country. (d. 1024). |
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1020.... Princess-Abbess Kunigunde of Göss bei Leoben/Nonnenberg
(Austria) |
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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
Imperial Immediacy (reichsunmittelbaren Abtei) - the only one in
Austria - and removed the Chapter from the influence of the
Metropolits of Salzburg. She was sister of Aribos, and was the first
abbess with the title of a Princess of the Realm (geistlichen
Reichsfürstin). The Abbess became a Prelate of the Realm in 1242. So
far she is the only Abbess known to me. The chapter was secularised in
1803. |
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Ca. 1020-40 Dame Abbesse Berscinda of Remiremont (France) |
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Daughter of Gerard/Gerhard II von Metz, Count of Elsass and Eva von Luxemburg.
She lived (After 1013-40) |
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1020-23 Sovereign Countess Adčle
de Vendôme-Anjou
of Vendôme (France)
1028-31 Regent |
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In
1023 she transferred the county to her son, Bouchard II le Chavre and after his
death she attributed half of it to her younger son, Foulques I l'Oison. He
refused his mother's rights to the county, and she asked her brother,
Geoffroy Martel for help. He defeated Foulgues and became count
himself in 1032.
She was the widow of Bodon, comte de Vendôme (1017-23) and
daughter of Foulque III Nerra, comte d'Anjou and Elisabeth de
Vendôme, the daughter of Bouchard I and
(d. 1031). |
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1021-33 (†) Regent Dowager Empress Liu
Zhangxian Mingxiao
of
China |
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When her husband,
Emperor Heng (998-1022), who was also known as Sung Chen Tsung or
Tseng Tsung,
became insane in 1021,
she assumed power, unofficially, in the de facto administration of the
empire, but someone else was appointed as the official regent, and
efforts were made to keep her from the regency for her stepson,
Emperor Zhao Zhen (1010-22-63),
two years later. As regent she was able to consolidate her power and
govern as de facto sovereign. She held court, with the young emperor,
behind the lowered screen. She alone made the final decisions on state
policies and delegation of power. Liu left a will stipulating that
another palace woman; Yang (c.1033) should succeed her as regent even
though Renzong was already 23 years old. Her wishes were not honored
as neither the emperor nor his ministers were willing to tolerate
another regency.
Also known as Chengtian, she lived (969-1033). |
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1023-59 Politically Influential Supreme Consort Yang Zhanghui
of China |
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The
regent, Dowager Empress Liu created a special post for her as huang
taifei (Supreme Consort) and left a will stipulating that Yang was to
succeed her as regent to
Emperor Zhao Zhen (1010-22-63), who was 23 at the time and did not
want a regent.
She was able to obtain numerous favors and offices for the next three
generations of her paternal family. Zhao Zhen continued to listen to
her advice and after the early deaths of his three sons the question
of succession became a great concern and in 1059, she persuaded him to
adopt the son of a cousin who became Emperor Yingzong (1064-1067).
She lived
(983-?) |
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Ca.
1024-ca. 1035 Queen Iztacxilotzin of Quauhtitlan (Mexico) |
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Ruler of the Aztec State on the boarder between Mexico and
Guatemala. |
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1024-68 Governor Princess Akkadevi of Kisukadu Seventy in
Karnataka (India) |
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Sister
of the Calukya king Jayasinha II (1015-1042). In the course of her
rule, additional divisions comprising sixty villages of Toragale, a
hundred and forty villages of Masiyavadi and seventy villages of
Bagadage were added to her province in Karnataka. She encouraged
education by giving liberal grants to brahmapuris and agraharas (both
settlements of Brahmins, where education was imparted), of Perur that
accommodated five hundred students. She was known as 'Joy of the
student community. She was besides, an excellent warrior and fought
and won a war against a rebel chief of Gokage. She had a secular
outlook and had given grants to Jaina basadis and Hindu temples. She
undertook pilgrimage to Varanasi. Like Ajjarasa, who had defeated many
kings, a large number of soldiers and chiefs were proud to acknowledge
Akkadevi as their ruler, capable and efficient. It is probable that
Mayurasarman, ruler of Banawasi twelve thousand Province and Panungal
one thousand, was here husband. |
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1025-51 Reigning Abbess Heilka I von Rothenburg of Niedermünster
in Regensburg (Germany) |
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During the reign of her predecessor the Ladies Chapter for Noble
Ladies was placed directly as a fief under the king of Germany. |
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1027-ca. 36 Regent Dowager Queen Miriam Artsruni of United
Georgia |
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After the death of her husband, Giorgi I (1014-27), she was in charge
of the regency for son Bagrat IV (1027-72). The kingdom was invaded by
The Byzantine Empire at the time, but their attack was fought off. In
1031 after the takeover of Iberia, she and heir Minister travelled to
Constantinople on a diplomatic mission and negotiated a peace, and had
her son recognized as full king (Curopalate) and head of the local
princes. Also known as Maria, she was daughter of Sennacherib-John of
Vaspurahan. |
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1028-41 and 1042-50 Joint Reigning Empress Zoë Porphyrogenita
of The Byzantine Empire |
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Ascended to the throne after the death of her husband Emperor Constantine VIII. She married 60-year-old Romanus III Argyropolus and made him
co-emperor. The marriage lasted barely six years before she poisoned him, and married the epileptic weakling Michael IV Paphiagonian, who had her cloistered in 1041. This enforced confinement was short-lived as the Byzantine nobles rebelled against Michael. She was released from
her confinement, and Michael was himself cloistered in a monastery by the nobles. She now ruled jointly with her older sister Theodora in 1042, and married again, this time to Constantine IX Monomachus aged 42, and both reigned till her death. Zoë was succeeded in Byzantium by
her husband, who then ruled jointly with her sister Theodora. She lived (986-1050). |
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1028-36 De-Facto Ruler Rani Suryamati of Kashmir (India) |
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Made judicious selection of ministers and other officials to give public confidence in her otherwise weak husband, King Ananda. He was later made to abdicate in favour of his son. |
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1029 Sovereign Countess Mayor of Castilla (Spain) |
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Also kown as Muniadomna or
Muńadona, she
was daughter
of García I of Castilla and married Count Sancho III of Navarra
(999-1035). As "Domna major
regina" she confirmed a charter of "Sancius Hispaniarum rex" dated 26
Jun 1033 which related to concessions to the monastery of Oriense. She
succeeded to the County when her brother, García Sánches was murdered
in 1029. As "Sancius…rex…cum coniuge mea regina domina Maiora", she
donated the monastery of San Sebastian to the monastery of Leire by
charter. She became a nun after her husband died. The testament of "Maior
regina Christi ancilla", by which she founded the monastery of San
Martín de Fromista 13 Jul 1066, names her father but not her husband.
She lived (ca. 994/96-after 1066). |
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1030-35 Regent Dowager Queen Alfiva of Norway |
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Also known as Lady Ćlfgify of Northamton she was regent for her, and
Knud the Great’s son, King Svend of Norway. Her rule was harsh and
provoked an uprising, which removed her from power. When Knud died she
returned to England, and persuaded the nobles to recognize her other
son Harald Harfoot as king in 1037 but no records of her from then on
have survived. |
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Ca.
1030-90/1100 Joint-Ruler Rani Kripi of North-Panchalas (India) |
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Reigned together with her brother, Raja Kripa, over the territory that
was carved out of the State of Panchalas. They belonged to a sideline
of the family of the rulers of the state. |
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1031-33 Regent Dowager Empress Xiaohaojin of Qindan (China and
Mongolia)
1033-35 Politically Influential |
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When her husband Shenzong was succeeded their oldest eldest surviving
son, Zongzhen (1016-55), she falsely accused the Empress of plotting
rebellion with two of her most powerful supporters. The supporters
were executed and the empress was banished. She was then named Empress
Dowager, and assumed the regency. On New Year’s Day 1032 she held
court, received the homage of the emperor and the members of the court
and gave audience to the envoys from the Song. She gave titles to her
younger brothers and their supporters and they tried to dethrone her
son in favour of his younger brother, Zongyuan. But he informed his
brother who immediately stripped her of her seals of office and
banished her to Shenzong’s mausoleum and took over the reins of
government himself. But he was not able to completely remove her power
as her relatives held important offices so he tried reconciliation in
1037 by visiting her regularly to pay his respects. In 1039 she was
permitted to return to the capital where she underwent the rebirth
ceremony to re-establish her position in the eyes of the Khitan
nobility. The Song court began to send envoys to pay respects to her
as well as those to the emperor. She continued to be at the centre of
the court intrigues until her death. She was originally named Yuanfei,
became Empress Dowager Qinai and finally Grand Empress Dowager
Xiaohaojin.
She (d. 1058). |
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1031-79 Sovereign Countess Adélaďde de France of Auxerre
(France) |
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Daughter of King Robert II (972-1031). Married to Renaud I de Nevers,
and succeeded by sister, Adele.
She lived (1003-79). |
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1033 Sovereign Countess Alix of Rouci (France)
|
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Also known as Adelaide, Alice or Isabelle, the county is also known as
Roucy. She married Hildouin III de Montdidier and lived (ca. 1014-63). |
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1033-93 Sovereign Countess Sophie of Bar (France)
|
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Succeeded father of Henri I who was both Duke of Lorraine and Count of
Bar. She reigned jointly with husband Louis de Mousson, Count de
Montbéliard until his death in 1065 or 1170. Succeeded by son, Thierry
II. |
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1034-91 Sovereign Countess Adelaide di Susa of Turino-Piemont and
Aurate, Bredulo, Asti, Albi, Albenga, Auriate, Iurea, Suse and
Ventimigha
1060-67 and 1080-91 Regent of Savoia (Italy) |
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Daughter of Margrave Manfredo II Odelrich of Turino and Bertha d’Este.
From her father’s death she was de-facto ruler over the Margravine of
Turino but officially she only used the title Countess and her three
husbands were titular Margraves. She was first married to Duke Hermann
IV von Schwaben, Margrave Enrico di Monferrato and Count Oddone I de
Maurienne of Savoy (1021-59). After his death she became regent for
their son Pietro I, (1050-60-80) and then for his successor. Adelaide
had a mediating role in the fight between the Pope and emperor
Heinrich IV, who was married to her daughter Bertha. Adelaide had
three other children with her third husband, and lived (ca. 1015-91).
Some sources see her long reign as the reign of mother and daughter,
named Adelaide I and II, but this is wrong. |
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1034-36 Regent Dowager Queen Richeza von der Pfalz of Poland |
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In
Polish: Rycheza.
After the death of her husband,
Prince and later the first King of Poland, Mieszko II,
she was regent for her son, Kazimierz I Odnowicie. She was the eldest daughter of Errenfried
Ezzon, “der rheinische Pfalzgraf” (palatin) and Matilda, daughter of
Emperor Otto II. l, and lived (996-1063). |
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1035-ca. 50 Regent The Caliph-Mother of Egypt |
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After the death of her husband, the Fathamide-Caliph Al-Zahir
Lazazdinallah (1020-1035) she ruled in the name of their infant son
Al-Mustansir Biallah (1035-1094). She was a Sudanese ex-slave.
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1037-65 Co-Queen Regnant Sancha of León (Spain)
|
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In
1029 Count García Sánchez of Castilla was about to be married to
Sancha of León, the sister of Vermudo III, an arrangement apparently
sanctioned by the king of Navarra, when the count was murdered in the
city of León. Sancho el Mayor of Navarra then claimed the county of
Castilla in his wife's name and installed in it their son, Fernando,
as the new count of Castilla. After he had forced the marriage between
Fernando and Sancha in 1032, those lands went to Castilla as part of
her dowry. In 1034 he wrested the city of León itself from Vermudo,
who retreated into Galicia, and began to style himself "Emperor" on
his coinage. He was killed at a battle in 1037 and succeeded by Sancha
and her husband. During their reign the kingdom was consolidated and
expanded further. |
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1037-62 Marchioness Emma
Venaissin of
Provence (France) |
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Member
of a side-line of the Sovereign Counts and Dukes of Provence, she
succeeded her brother Guillaume II and was married to Guillaume III Taillefer (952-1037), comte de Toulouse.
She was daughter of Rotbold III of Provence and Ermengarda, and
mother of 4 children. (d. 1062). |
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1039-44 Regent Dowager Duchess Agnes de la Bourgogne of
Aquitanie and Poitou (France) |
|
Third
wife of Guillaume III-V, Duke of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful
lords in France. After about twelve years of marriage, Guillaume died
and Agnes defeated his two sons from a previous marriage. First she
ruled by herself, then later with her own two sons. She married again
but her second husband, the Count of Anjou, divorced her after
eighteen years. She lived (995-1068). |
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1040-57 Regent Dowager Duchess Berthe de Chartres of Bretagne
(France) |
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The
widow of Alain III (1008-1040), she was regent for her son Conan II
(1040-40-66). |
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Until 1040 Hereditary Countess Hademut of Friaul (Germany)
|
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Oldest daughter and sole heir of Weigand von Fraul and Willbirg von
Ebersberg. She married Poppo I Count von Weimar-Orlamunde. |
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1041-55 Politically Influential Noble Consort Zhang Wencheng of
China |
|
A
favorite secondary consort of Emperor Zhao Zhen (1010-22-63) or
Renzong, and her power was felt both within and without the palace.
Her brother, Huaji (c.1054) and her uncle, Yaozuo, all gained high
positions and prospered through her influence. Her power was unique
in the Northern Song Dynasty. Mother of three daughters who all died
as children, and lived (1024-55). |
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1042 and 1050-55 Joint Empress Theodora Porphyrogenita of The
Byzantine Empire
1055-56 Sole Empress |
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In
1042 she reigned jointly with her sister, Zoë, without success. The
sixty-five-year old Zoë married Constantine IX, Monomachus and made
him co-ruler. Contemporary sources are unanimous in describing
Constantine IX's incompetence. They generously ascribe to him all the
blame for the rapidly tarnishing glory of Byzantium. The imperial
family at public functions and in royal portraits included three women
as long as Zoë lived. Aside from the aged Zoë and her sister,
Theodora, but also Constantine's mistress, the niece of his second
wife, was always present. On the death of Constantine IX, Theodora,
the only surviving member of Basil II's family, ruled for twenty
months, and before her death she had chosen to forward Michael VI as
her successor. She lived (978-1056). |
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1042-66 Joint Ruler Queen Edith of Wessex of England (United
Kingdom)
1066 De facto Regent |
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Married to king Edward. In 1051 her father, Earl Goodwin of Wessex
revolted against the Norman influence, but failed, and was banished.
Edward started divorce-proceedings, but they remained married until
his death, and during the vacancy at the throne she seems to have been
de-facto caretaker. They had no surviving children and there was a
succession of rulers, resulting in William the Conqueror of Normandy
becoming king and it was her who was obliged to hand over the keys to
Winchester, the county town of Wessex. She remained in charge of vast
lands, but did no longer participate in politics. She lived (ca.
1020-75). |
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Around 1042-ca. 68 Governor Queen Mailaladevi of the Province of
Banavasi in Karnataka (India)
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Mailaladevi, a senior queen of Somesvara I of Karnataka, she ruled the
important province of Banavasi, comprising twelve thousand villages. |
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Around 1042-ca. 68 Governor Queen Ketala Karnataka of the
Province of Pomnavad in Karnataka (India) |
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Another wife of King Somesvara I of Karnataka. |
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Around 1043 Sovereign Countess Mantsrede I of Joigny (France)
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Apparently also known as Alix, she was married to Etienne I, Sire de
Vaux before 1045, who lived (1020-48). Mantsrede was born before 1020. |
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1044-46 Countess-Abbess Hazecha von Ballenstedt
of Gernrode and Frose (Germany) |
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According to the Annales Gernrodensis by the Chronicer
Andreas Popperodt, she was in office for 19 years, but only 2
decrees are known from her hand from 1044, when she asked King
Heinrich III to confirm her election, and 1046 she is mentionend in
a large donation given by her brother-in-law, Markgrave Ekkehard II.
von Meißen. She was
daughter of Count Adalbert I of von Ballenstedt and Hidda von
Ostmark. |
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1045-62 Princess-Abbess Beatrix I von Franken of Quedlinburg
1045-61 Reigning Abbess of Gandersheim (Germany)
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The
only child of Emperor Heinrich III and Gunhild of Denmark (The
daughter of Knud the Great of Denmark-England and Emma of Normandy),
and lived (1038-62). |
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1045 Heiress to the Throne Princess Sanggramawijaya of the
Kahuripan kingdom (Java Empire) (Indonesia) |
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When her father, King Airlangga, decided to abdicate, she turned down
the throne choosing rather to live as a hermit. Instead the Kingdom
was divided between her two half-brothers (their mothers were
concubines). Her father had succeeded his parents, the joint reigning
couple, King Dharmodayana Warmmadewa (Udayana) and Queen
Gunapriyadharmapatni (Mahendradatta) of Bali, and his empire covered
both the islands of Java and Bali. |
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1046-56/63 Countess-Abbess Hedwiga II von Ballendstedt of
Gernrode and Frose (Germany) |
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Also known as Hedwig, Heilika or Hazecha, she was probably the sister
of Count Esicho and Uta, who was married to Ekkehard II von Meißen.
After the death of Abbess Adelheid in 1043, Emperor Heinrich III in Ballenstedt
appointed her abbess. Her brother partly gave parts of the lands he
inherited from their sister to the abbey, and for her family it added
to their prestige that she became abbess |
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1047-70 Dame Abbesse Oda d'Alsace of Remiremont, Dame of Saint
Pierre and Metz (France) |
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Ode de Luxembourg was daughter of Gérard d'Alsace comte de Metz and
Gisčle. The name of her successor is not known. |
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1050/51-86 Regent Dowager Countess Richildis of Hainault (Belgium)
1071-76 Regent of Flanders |
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Richilde van Henegouwen
was the heiress of her father, Renier de Mons-Valenciennes and also
known as Richilde van Egisheim - as her mother was member of the von
Dagsburg-Egisheim-family. Because of her rights of inheritance her
first husband, Herman de Mons, was named Count of Bergen and the
Margravate of Valenciennes in 1049. After his death in 1050 or 1051,
she took over the regency for her son,
Arnulf III.
Soon after she married her cousin, Baudouin VI of Flanders, who became
joint ruler of the county. After his death in 1070, her sons were
deposed in Flanders by her brother-in-law, Robert. She gained support
from the king of France in the fight against Robert, but in the end
she lost and only Hainault remained in her possession. In 1070 she
married William, Earl of Hereford and Essex, but he was killed in
battle the following year, and also
Arnulf died in battle. The bishop of
Liege gave the fief of Hainault to the Duke of Lower Lorraine who in
his term gave the fief to her and she passed it on to her younger son,
Boudewijn II.
and
lived (Ca. 1020-86). |
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1051-54 Regent Princess Neda Dominica of Duklja (Zeta and
Travunja)
(Montenegro) |
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The
widow of Stefan Vojislav (1035-1051), who had asserted full
independence for Duklja after a war with Byzantine. In 1040 his state
stretched in the coastal region from Ston in the north, down to the
Lake of Skadar, where he set up his capital, with other courts in
Trebinje, Kotor and Bar. He was succeeded by his widow and five sons -
Gojislav, Predimir, Mihailo, Saganek and Radoslav I (1054-77). |
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1052-64 Reigning Abbess Gertrud I von Hals of Niedermünster in
Regensburg (Germany) |
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Member of the Countly von Hals-family. |
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Around 1052
Princess-Abbess Wilburgis
of Göss bei Leoben
(Austria) |
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Head
of the chapter for canonesses (Kanonissen or Chorfrauenstift), which
had been 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. |
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1054-76 Acting Margravine Beatrice de Bar of Lucca, Torino and
Piemont and Tuscia (Toscana) (Italy)
1054... Regent of Spoleto |
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Succeeded husband - and succeeded by daughter, Mathilde, for whom she
had acted as regent in Spoleto. She When her husband Bonifaz of
Canossa was murdered in 1052 she became regent for the underage
children, Friedrich († 1055) Beatrice († 1053) and Mathilde. She had
good relations to Pope Leo IX and his circle of reformers. 1054 she
married Gottfried of Ober-Lothringen without the permission of Emperor
Heinrich III. The following year he deposed Gottfried and took her
prisoner, but the following year both she and her husband was given
back their lands. After the death of Gottfried in 1069 she continued
as a trusted supporter of her daughter, Mathilde, and she was deeply
involved in the politics of the Vatican. The daughter of Duke
Friedrich II von Ober-Lothringen and Mathilde von Schwaben, she was
adopted by her aunt; Empress Gisela, after the death of her parents in
1033, and lived (before 1020-76). |
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1054-63/65 Sovereign Countess Berthe of Rouergue and Gévaudan
(France) |
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The
daughter and heiress of Hugh of Rouergue and Fides. Around 1051 she
married Robert II of Auvergne, but had no issue by him. On her death,
her counties, including Narbonne, Agde, Béziers, and Uzčs, were
inherited by her distant cousin William IV of Toulouse. (d. 1063/65) |
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1055-56 and 1070-87 Sovereign Countess Mathilda di Canossa of
Spoleto-Camerino and Saluzzo, Lady of Canossa (Italy)
1071-87 Margravine of Toscana, Parma, Modena, parts of
Lombardia, Reggio and Ferrara.
1076-1081/1115 Sovereign Margravine of Lucca and Tuscia
1076-86 Reigning Dowager Countess of Verdun (France)
1111-1115 Vice-Reine of Italy |
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As
a child she succeeded her father Boniface II and from him and
subsequently from Godfrey of Lorraine, the second husband of her
mother, she inherited the extensive holdings and feuds (practically a
half of the whole Italian territories) of the House of Canossa and
also the domains of Lorraine. She studied weapons and
strategy, learning to handle lance, pike, and battle-axe. She was also
a linguist, and literate in an age when many nobles were not. She was
married to the son of her mother's second husband, Gottfried IV. of
Ober-Lothringen (d. 1076), but after the death of a child, who only
lived a few days, she returned to Italy and reigned jointly with her
mother, Beatrice. She was energetic in both her military and political
endeavours but also very pious and deeply involved in the reforms of
the church. In 1077 pope Gregory VII, took shelter at Canossa and it
was here that the historic meeting took place and Matilda indeed acted
as a mediator. After Canossa Henry IV replied by waging a cruel war,
which lasted many decades and caused the feuds of Canossa to be
invaded and ravaged and Matilda was deprived of her holdings and power
and banished from the empire. Nevertheless she held out in her
Appennine forts supported by few true troops; many times she succeeded
in defeating the imperial militia in bloody ambushes; she continued to
support the Church and defend her own domains; she founded charitable
institutions, granted self-government to cities which had turned out
loyal and allowed the first communes to be established. 1081 at the
age of 42 she married the 17-year-old Duke Welf V of Bavaria on the
urging of Pope Urban II, but the marriage ended in 1195. She probably
participated in the Synod of January 1097. In 1111 Henry V, who had
succeeded his father, came to Rome to be crowned; the white-haired and
wise Matilda remained at Bianello and sent the trusted Arduino of the
Swamp to Rome, so that he could follow and mediate in the disagreement
between the pope and the young emperor. The controversy was peacefully
settled with the crowning; it was Matilda's firm contention that war
was useless. Henry V stopped at Bianello on his way home; he stayed
there for three days and before leaving he proclaimed her vice-Queen
of Italy. She died without heirs and left her lands to the Papal
State. She lived (ca. 1046-1115). |
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1055-61 Hereditary Duchess Agnes de Poitou of Bavaria
(Germany)
1056-62 Regent Dowager Empress of the Holy Roman Empire
1057 and 1059 and 106? Presiding over the Hearings at the
Royal Court (Königsgericht) |
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Descended from the royal houses of Burgundy and Italy, the daughter of William V of Aquitaine and Poitou; she became the second wife of the German king Henry III in 1043. They were crowned Holy Roman Emperor and
Empress by Clement II in 1046. After her husband's death she acted as Regent for her son, Heinrich IV (1050-?) She was not an experienced politician and was influenced by the nobility to part with the duchies of Bavaria and Carinthia, and entered into unwise alliances against the
dominant reforming party in the Papacy. By 1062 discontent led to an uprising in which Anno, Archbishop of Köln, took over the regency. Agnes retired to a convent where she remained until her death.
She lived
(1024-77). |
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1055-63 Politically Influential Empress Renyi, Qidan (Khitan)
(China and of Mongolia) |
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In
1058, the Khitan tribal justice was put under the Chinese-style local
administration and the Khitans were unhappy and plotted to kill her
son, Emperor Daozong and put his uncle on the throne. In early 1063
she and her son went on a hunting trip and was ambushed. She took
command of part of the guard and fought off the attackers; all the
rebels were executed, but to reassert his legitimacy as ruler he was
forced to perform a traditional "rebirth" ceremony. In 1070, he
restructured the legal system to reflect the differences in Chinese
and Liao customs |
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1056/63-ca. 1118 Countess-Abbess Hedwig III von Stade of
Gernrode and Frose (Germany) |
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It
is not certain when she started her reign. |
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1056-1116 Hereditary Countess Gertrud of Haldersleben (Germany) |
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Succeeded her uncle, Wilhelm as Countess of Haldensleben and her
territory were incorporated into the Duchy of Sachsen. Married to
Count Friedrich von Formbach, who was killed in 1059, and then to Duke
Ordulf Herzog von Sachsen (1020-72). She was a central figure in the
Saxon opposition against king Heinrich IV, who held her prisoner
around 1076. Her only daughter Hedwig II von Stade died 1078. |
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1057-79 Sovereign Countess Adelaide II of Soissons (France)
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Daughter of Rainald I and married Guillaume Busac, Comte de Hiesmes,
who was count by the right of his wife (Jure Uxoris) until his death
1076, and was
succeeded by son.
She lived (1040-79). |
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1059-90 Hereditary Countess Helwig von Formabach of Formabach
(Germany) |
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Her
father, Count Friedrich, had kidnapped her mother Gertrud von
Haldensleben to marry her, and Helwig or Hedwig was herself kidnapped
by her husband, Gebhard von Supplinburg, whit whom she had one
daughter, Ida. In 1075 Gebhard was killed in battle and Hedwig married
Duke Dietrich II. von Ober-Lothringen. She lived (ca. 1058-90). |
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Ca.
1059-after 60 Hereditary Countess Ida von Werl-Hövel of Hövel
(Germany) |
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Only daughter and heir of Count Bernhard II von Hövel. Married to
Heinrich I, Count von Lauffen and a Graf von Artlenburg. Succeeded by
daughter, Adelheid von Lauffen, who was married to a count von Berg.
Ida lived (ca 1030-after 1060). |
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After 1060-... Hereditary Countess Adelheid von Lauffen of
Hövel, Unna, Telgte and Warendorf (Germany) |
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Heiress of Count Heinrich II von Lauffen and Ida von Werl-Hövel, and
owner of a number of lordships and countly rights. Married to Count
Adolf II von Berg (ca 1035-90) and Count Friedrich I von
Sommerschhenburg (d. 1120). | |