Traditional Monarchs

In traditional monarchies the king held power and his wife provided heirs. Defying this tradition are queens regnant, queens in their own right who hold the same power as a king. Some of the most notable rulers in history hold this title. They, unlike their male counterparts, are more determined to be remembered. Elizabeth I, Catherine the Great, and Victoria are exemplary female monarchs who broke tradition.
For Elizabeth, Queen Regnant was unchartered territory. There had only been three reigning queens before Elizabeth: Matilda, Jane Grey, and her sister and predecessor Mary. Matilda had never been fully recognized as the sovereign, Jane Grey was known as the infamous nine day queen, and Mary’s rule had been unpopular due to her widespread massacre of Protestants. However, Elizabeth was determined to be different. Unlike many of the recent queen’s regnant, Elizabeth never married. She won the people’s favor by declaring herself wed to her country. Regardless of her many proposals, she was known as the Virgin Queen. Her reign was successful. Her time in
However her predecessors had made the monarchy hated. The royal family was seen as selfish and greedy. Unlike previous queens, Victoria had to deal with the media. Newspapers would create an image for the monarchs. Victoria and her husband Albert used the media to create a perfect family ideal. Victoria’s family became the model for people in England and in America. In addition to her perfect family ideal Victoria became the first Empress of India. This strengthened imperialism in England. It was said that “the sun never sets on the British Empire”. Her long reign is remembered as the Victorian Era and her legacy as a ruler undeniable.
Female rulers, unlike male rulers, were not so easily accepted. They were scrutinized far more than kings. Nevertheless, they are determined. These notable rulers represent that men aren’t the only ones who can