A nickname created for Diana, the ‘People’s Princess’ could easily have belonged to another ill-fated royal woman who lived and died over a century beforehand. Beautiful and vivacious, well-loved by the British public, Princess Charlotte Augusta was the breath of fresh air a stagnating monarchy needed.
Royalty and Nobility
Empress Matilda, Lady of the English
In 1141, Matilda, daughter of Henry I, sat down to a victory banquet in Westminster, certain of her imminent coronation as Queen Matilda of England. Yet it was a coronation that would never come to pass - so how was England's potential first queen regnant foiled?
Amanirenas, Nubian Queen
In 40 BC, while Cleopatra was ruling over a stable Egypt, their southern neighbours gained a different badass lady as a ruler. Amanirenas was a fearless warrior queen who, despite her kingdom's small size, was able to stand up against the might of Rome.
Kristina of Sweden
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a king in possession of a crown, must be in want of a son. So much so, in King Gustav II of Sweden's case, that his daughter was at first announced as a son. Yet the future Queen Kristina would soon prove to be far more than what was then expected of her sex.
‘Bloody’ Mary – the Tudors in comparison
Of the five crowned Tudor monarchs, only three - Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and Mary I - are properly remembered in history, and only two are considered significant rulers. Mary I, with a reign lasting five years and 121 days, is often classed simultaneously as the weakest Tudor and the bloodiest - but are either of these true?
Maligned Women: Marie Antoinette
The last Queen of France is probably among the most maligned women in history, perceived as insensitive and cruel. In reality, she was modest and frugal, and once much-loved by her subjects. So how did she end up executed by a cheering mob?
Pirates: Jeanne de Clisson
In 1330, Jeanne de Belleville married her third husband, wealthy Breton nobleman Olivier de Clisson IV, becoming Jeanne de Clisson. The couple individually had extensive properties and the combination of their assets and wealth turned them into something of a power couple, though it would take some years (and Olivier’s death) before that power truly revealed itself.
Femme Fatales – Lucrezia Borgia
Murderous temptress or weak pawn? These are the two enduring images of Lucrezia Borgia, but are either at all true? Evidence suggests not.
Warriors: Black Agnes Randolph
‘From the record of Scottish heroes, none can presume to erase her.' These were the words used by novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott about Black Agnes Randolph, a Scottish heroine in the fight against the English.
Z is for… Zenobia
Born around 240 AD in Palmyra, Syria, Zenobia would rise to challenge the likes of the Roman Empire and even earn their grudging respect, despite their prejudices against both her race and sex.