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)

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.

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).

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).

1542-69 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).

1543-49 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.

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.

1544-87 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).

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 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)

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 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).

1549-1601 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). 

1549-61 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.

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). 

1550-82 Adelantada Catalina Montejo y Herrerea 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.

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).

1551-60 Princess-Abbess Katharina II von Tecklenburg of Essen, Lady of Breisig, Huckard and Rellinghausen (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).

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).

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, Joost, 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 as "vruchtgebruikster" "enjoyer of the fruits" of the fief for life. She lived ( 1508-79).

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 Helena 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.

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).

1554-1610 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).

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

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.

1556-94 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).

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).

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.

1559-67 and 1580-82 Stadtholder 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).

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) 

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

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.

1561-75 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.

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).

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.

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).

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).

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.

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).

1565-85 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).

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).

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)

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-.. 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.

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

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

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

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).

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).

1569-83 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-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.