1570-1609 Ratu Loharaung of Tagulandang (Indonesia)

1570-79 Regent and Guardian Maria Jacobäa von Baden  of Baden-Baden (Germany)

1570-81 Reigning Dowager Duchess Katharina von Mecklenburg of Hainau (Chojnów) (Poland)

In 1538 she was married to Duke Friederich III von Liegnitz and held the Slesian Duchy as her dowry. Also known as Katarzyna Meklemburska, she was daughter of Duke Heinrich V von Mecklenburg and Helena von der Pfalz, mother of sons and 3 daughters, and lived (1518-81).

Around 1570 Leader of the Immigration to Kiribati Nei Anginimaeao
Around 1570 Chief of Tabiang in Kiribati

According to the oral history, she lead the immigration to the Kiribati islands together with her brother, Na Kouteba, who commanded a fleet of canoes which left Beru, not long after the wars had started under Tem Mwea, when Bakarerenteiti was Uea of Beru. No one was in danger of losing lands on Beru Island and it seems probable that she and her followers thought it a good time to settle on an island not quite so crowded. Others had left during the wars and settled on most of the islands to the north as far as Marakei. She clearly knew exactly where she was going and what she was going to do, and she did it with superb skill. Afterwards she became chief of parts of the islands.

Around 1570 Chief Nei Teborata of Toakira (Kiribati)

One of the followers of Nei Anginimaeao, who gave her the territory to administer on her own. Kiribati still has female chiefs. If there are only daughters in the family, the eldest daughter would be called Chiefess but the nearest male relative will do the work until the son of the Chiefess will be old enough to take it on. The succession passes to the firstborn child, and if the eldest child is a daughter she will be called Chief but her eldest brother will do the work until her eldest son is old enough to take it on.

1570-81 Reigning Abbess-General Francisca Manrique of the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos (Spain)

1571-1600 Princess-Abbess Anna Jakobäa von Sulzbach of Säckingen (Germany)

As the only canoness remaining in the Chapter, she was elected by the canons. Expanded the possessions of the chapter and continued the building projects of her predecessor and 1575 the new residence of the chapter (Stiftsgebäude) was finished. The year before Ursula Giel had entered the chapter and was soon after followed by 2 other ladies. Also known as Maria Jacobe, she lived (1538-1600).

1571-72 Acting County Sheriff Beate Klausdatter Bille of the County of Rødinge and the Shire of Frost (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)
Until 1575 County Sheriff of Vissenbjerg Birk, Denmark

Beate Bille was married to Otto Tygesen Brahe, Councillor of the Realm and Fief-holder of Helsingborg. She administered the tenantcy in Skåne, now Sweden, jointly with Sidsel Oxe. Among her children were the famous astronomer Tycho Brahe, and Margrethe, who was County Sheriff (Lensmand) of Lanskrona in 1612, and lived (1526-1605).

1571-1614 Hereditary Countess Elisabeth von Stolberg of Wertheim and Bereuberg (Germany)

The 3 daughters of Count Ludwig of Stolberg, Lord of Wertheim am Main and Königstein am Taunus were joint heiresses. Their husbands: Count Dietrich VI von Manderscheid-Schleiden, Philipp von Eberstein and Ludwig von Löwenstein alternated in the government for one year at the time until the possessions were divided in 1581. Elisabeth's first husband died in 1593 and the following year she married Wilhelm von Kreichingen. She had no children.

1572-1604 Sovereign Duchess Catherine de Bourbon de Navarra of Albret, Comtesse d'Armagnac and Rodez 
1577 Lieutenant-général of Béarn
1582-92 Regent of Béarn (France)

Succeeded her mother, Juana III of Navarra in some of her fiefs, and was also Princess of Navarra and "Madame France" through her father, Antoine de Vendôme. She was heir presumptive to the throne of Navarre, the County of Bearn, the Co-Principality of Andorra and the Duchy of Donnezan. Her brother, King Henri III of Navarra, became Henri IV of France in 1589 and two years after her death she had a son. She was married to Henri de Lorraine, Duc de Bar, who was succeeded by his daughter by the second marriage, Nicoläa. Catharine had no children, and lived (1559-1604).

Circa 1572-1605 Sovereign Countess Marie de Brimeu of Megen (The Netherlands)

It is not clear if she was the direct successor of Charles de Brimeu, who died 1572, but she is recorded as regent of the Free Imperial County jointly with her husband, Charles de Croÿ-Aarschot, Duke of Croÿ and Prince de Chimay, who died 1610, and was succeeded by a distant relative, François Henri de Croÿ-Crecques. 

1572-90 Guardian Dowager Countess Dorothea von Solms-Sonnenwalde of Reuss zu Gera (Germany)

Her son, Heinrich II Posthumous (1572-1635), was born 2 months after her husband, Heinrich XVI Reuss zu Plauen, Gera and Krainchfeld, died in April, and she was guardian while some male relatives acted as regents. Her son was also Lord of 1/6 of Lobstein from 1577 and 1/3 of Ober-Kranichfeld from 1596 until he inherited all the estates of Ober-Kranichfeld and Lobenstein in 1616. She lived (1547-95).

1572-90 Countess Regnant Marguerite de Foix of Candale, d'Astarac et de Bénauges (France) 

After her brother, Henri, was killed at Sommiéres, she inherited her family's possessions. She was married to Jean-Louis de Nogaret de la Valette, Duc d'Epernon (1554-1642), but had no children. She imprisoned her sister, Madame Françoise de Candale (d. 1649), and forced her to become a nun, but after her death, she left the convent and started a process in order to gain the family possessions. Marguerite lived (1567-93).

1573 Acting County Sheriff Anne Corfitzdatter Hardenberg of the County of Helsingborg (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Of high nobility, Anne Hardenberg was chambermaid to Queen Dorothea 1557-71, and here she got to know king Frederik 2 (king from 1559) who fell in love with her, and wanted to marry her, but this met widespread opposition. In 1572 she married Councillor of the Realm, Oluf Mouritsen Krognos, who died after only six months marriage. She lived at her dowry Bregentved and managed to keep her husband's family at distance with the help of the royal family. She (d. 1589).  

1574-84 Regent Dowager Duchess Françoise de Bourbon-Vendôme of Sedan (Sagan) (France)

She took the reins after death of her husband Henri-Robert de La March, Duke of Sagan and Titular Duke of Bouillon, in the name of her son Guillaume-Robert (1562-88), who was succeeded by sister, Charlotte. Françoise was daughter of Louis III de Montpensier and Jacqueline de Longwy, comtesse de Bar-sur-Seine and lived (1539-1587)

1574-84 Princess-Abbess Elisabeth II zu Regenstein of Quedlinburg (Germany)

Daughter of Count Ulrich VI of Regenstein (Reinstein) and Countess Magdalena von Stolberg.

Until 1574 Princess-Abbess Magdalena zu Wied-Runkel of Elten (Germany)

She was daughter of Count Johan III zu Wied and Elisabeth of Nassau-Dillenburg. (d. 1574).

Until 1574 Marquise Marie de Clèves de l'Isle, Countess de Beaufort (France)

Daughter of Francois I de Clèves, Duke of Nevers. 1574 she married Henri I de Bourbon, Prince de Condé, Duc d'Enghien, and died during the birth of her daughter, Catherine de Bourbon, Marquise d'Isles (1574-95). She lived (1553-74). 

1574-95 Marquise Catherine de Bourbon of de l'Isle, Countess de Beaufort (France)

Succeeded mother, Marie de Clèves, who died during her birth. Catherine lived (1574-95).

1574-83 Politically Influential Nurbanu Sultan Valide Sultan of The Ottoman Empire (Covering Turkey, Greece, The Balkans, parts of the Middle East and Northern Africa)

1575-86 Rex Poloniae Anna Jagiellonka of Poland

Succeeded her father, King Zygmunt I the Old of Poland, and was co-regent with her husband Stefan Batory, but she was not politically influential and only titular "king". After the death of her husband, she introduced nephew Zygmunt Vasa of Sweden (the son of her sister) on the throne. She was a follower of the Contra-reformation, and lived (1523-96).

After 1575-86 Regent Dowager Margravine Cecilia Vasa of Baden-Rodemachern (Germany)

Also known as Cäcilia Wasa, she was allowed to take over the regency after many years of processes against the stipulation in the will of her husband, Christoph II of Baden (1537-75). Her son, Eduard Fortunatus von Baden (1565-1600), was Margrave of Baden-Baden (1588-96). She lived a stormy life and travelled a lot. She spent a year in London, where her oldest son was born, and became a friend of Queen Elizabeth I. At some point she lived at her dowry Arboga in Sweden where she started an iron-mine and was behind piracy at the Baltic Sea. When her son died, his oldest son Wilhelm was only 7. He did not become Margrave of Baden-Baden until 1621 and it is not clear if either Cecilia or her daughter-in-law, Marie von Eichen (d. 1636), played any role during his minority. Apart from her oldest son she was mother of 5 sons who all were unmarried or died young. The daughter of King Gustav I Vasa of Sweden and his second wife Margareta Eriksdotter Leijonhufvud, she lived (1540-1627).

1575-78 Princess-Abbess Elisabeth VI von Manderscheid-Blankenheim-Gerolstein of Essen (Germany)

All the Ladies of the Chapter had the right to participate in the Landtag of the Ecclesiastical Territory of Essen, which met at least once a year in the Great Hall of the Chapter, but the Secretary of the Chapter or other office-holders often represented them. She was in close contact with her brother, Count Hermann and resigned in order to marry Count Wirich von Daun-Falkenstein. Her sister, Margareta, was Princess-Abbess of Eltern and Vreden until her death in 1602. Elisabeth was daughter of Count Arnold and Margaretha von Wied, and lived (1544-86).

1575-86 Princess-Abbess Felicitas I von Eberstein of Herford (Germany)

At this time the line of Hereditary Stewarts, the Lords von Helfenstein, was dying out. The last Lord, Johann XIV, had one daughter, Wilhelmina, who married Otto von Rolshausen, who was granted the Lordship of Mühlbach by Felicitas Countess von Eberstein.

1575-87 Princess-Abbess Barbara III Blarer von Wartensee of Schänis (Switzerland)

Reached a compromise with the villages in Gasterland and Kerenzen about the tithe. Her brother Johann Jakob was Provost of Bischofzel and another relative of hers, Jakob Christian Blarer von Wartensee, was Bishop of Basel - he lived (1542-1608). Her family had owned the Borough of Wartensee and in 1405 they got the "Landrecht" of the Appenzelle-Canton and stayed out of the Appenzeller-wars. The daughter of Kasper, Chief steward of Arbon and Siguna von Diesbach, and lived (1536-87).

1575-1611 Reigning Abbess Eléonore III de Bourbon of the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud (France)

The French Princess had great influence with her nephew, King Henri IV of France, and her affection for him was so great that, towards the end of her life, when he was assassinated, her nuns dared not tell her lest the shock should be too great. She was daughter of Duc Charles IV de Vendôme and Françoise d'Alencon, Duchesss de Beaumont. Her brother, Duc Antoine de Vendôme, was married to Juanna III of Navarra and therefore Titular King of Navarre (1555-62) - they were parents of Henri IV - and 3 of her sisters were also Abbesses, Madeleine (1521-61) in Poitiers, Catherine in Notre Dame de Soissons and Renée (1527-83) in Chelles. Eleonore lived (1532-1611).

1575-76 Acting County Sheriff Karen Christoffersdatter Gyldenstierne of the County of Bygholm with the Shires of Bjerg, Hatting, Nim and Vor  and the County of Sankt Hans Kloster, Denmark

Also known as Karen Gyldenstjerne til Stjernholm. After the death of her husband, Holger Ottesen Rosenkrantz til Boller, she administered his fief for a period. He was Stadtholder in Norway, military commander of the realm. Statholder in Nothern Jutland and a few years later he became Marshal of the Realm. They were closely connected to King Frederik 2., who was the sponsor of one of their sons. She was an able administrator, built several manor houses and a new church in Uth. She also collected a number of folk songs, which is one of the most important sources for knowledge of this tradition. Around 1590 she moved to Skt. Hans Kloster in Horsens, which she renamed, into Stjernholm. She had bought a number of houses in the town of Horsens, which caused much dispute with the city council, because she claimed that as a noble she did not have to pay tax and thereby she damaged the economic life of the city. It was not until 1598 that the case was settled. She was accused using sorcery to harm Anne Hardenberg at the neighbouring estate, but no case was raised and the king settled the dispute. 1599 her son, Frederik, was convicted to lose his "honour" because of his relationship to Rigborg Brockenhuus. He was allowed to travel to Hungary to fight the Turks, but died in Prague in 1602. She was the oldest child of Christoffer Gyldenstierne (d. 1562) and 39-year old Anne Parsberg (1515-87), who had 9 other children after her. The mother of 4 sons of whom 2 died as infants, she lived (1544-1613). 

1576-1610 Queen Amina Sarauniya of Zazzua, Zaria and Abuja
1580-82 Queen of Kano (Nigeria)

At the age of sixteen, she became the heir apparent (Magajiya) to her mother, Bakwa of Turunku, the ruling Queen of Zazzua, one of a number of Hausa city-states, which dominated the trans-Saharan trade after the collapse of the Songhai empire to the west. With the title came the responsibility for a ward in the city and daily councils with other officials. Although her mother's reign was known for peace and prosperity, She also chose to learn military skills from the warriors. Her mother died around 1566 and the reign of Zazzua passed to her younger brother Karama. At this time she emerged as the leading warrior of Zazzua cavalry. Her military achievements brought her great wealth and power. When she died after a 10-year rule, she became Queen of Zazzua. She set off on her first military expedition three months after coming to power and continued fighting until her death. In her thirty-four year reign, she expanded the domain of her state to its largest size ever. Lived (circa 1533-ca- 1610).

1576... Adelantada Juana Ortiz de Zárate of Corrientes, Santa Fe and Buenos Aires, Adelantado of Chile (Chile)

Following the death of her father, Juan Ortiz de Zárate, Adelanto and Governor, founder of the City of Santa Fe and Buenos Aires, she inherited the estates of the family and apparently Emperor Charles V named her Adelantado of Chile. She was married to Juan de Torres de Vera y Aragón, who became Governor in 1578, and mother of Juan Alonso de Vera y Zárate. The seems that her mother was the Inca Princess, Leonor Yupanqui, daughter of Tupac-Hupalla (Originally Auqui Huallpa Tupac) puppet-emperor in 1533.

1576-78 Sovereign Duchess Elizabeth d'Austrice of Berry (France)

Given the duchy after the death of her husband, King Charles IX (1550-60-74), the son of Henri II and Catherine de' Medici. Their only child was Princess Marie-Elisabeth who lived (1572-78) - and her husband therefore was succeeded by his brother Henri III. Elizabeth lived (1554-78).

1577-78 Reigning Sri Rani Makayiram Thirunal of Travancore (India)

The Kulusekhara Dynasty of Travancore (or Tiruvankur) is of very ancient lineage, tracing its origins to the Royal House of Vanad and dating from 1100 AD. They attained considerable power during the reign of Ravi Varma Kulasekhara, during the early years of the fourteenth century. Marco Polo claimed to have visited his capital at Quilon, a centre of commerce and trade with China and the Levant. Europeans were attracted to the region during the late fifteenth century, primarily in pursuit of the then rare commodity, pepper.

1577-82 Superintendent Maria Marguerite de Mérode of Bergen op Zoom (The Netherlands)

Given the Marchionate as a fief by the States of Brabant, but did not recieve the title of Marchioness. The king of Spain had administered it after the death of her uncle, Jan IV van Glymes, who died childless in 1567. She was Joint administrator with her husband, Jan baron van Wittem from 1578. Both were deposed by the Dutch after they sided with the Spanish, and the possession was given to the Prince of Oranje and not until 1588 is the eldest of their three daughters, Maria, given the Marchionate as a fief. She lived (1560-88).

1577-79 Princess-Abbess Josina I von Manderscheid-Blankenheim und Gerolstein of Thorn (The Netherlands)

At the elections for the successor of Margaretha von Brederode, Josina von der Marck got the most votes, but since she was not yet 30, Josina von Manderscheid, took over the position of ruler of the territory. After a few years she fell seriously ill and nominated Josina v.d. Marck as her successor. She was daughter of Gerhard and Franziska von Montfort. Her sister Helena was a lady of the chapter until she left it in order to marry Count Reinhard von Brederode. Josina lived (1537-79).

1577-89 Princess-Abbess Margarethe II von Chlum of Gandersheim (Germany)

Elected as successor of her sister, Magdalene, but after the Duke of Braunchweig occupied the territory and installed his daughter, Elisabeth zu Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel, as de-facto as ruler, she had to flee to Neuenheerse and was only able to return after the second contra-abbess Margarete von Warberg died in 1587.

After Margareta von Chlum was elected as Princess-Abbess, her father, Duke Julius, occupied and claimed that she was the real ruler, and Margareta had to flee. Margarete von Warberg was in power until 1587, and only then Margareta II was able to return. Her older sister, Sophia-Hedwig, reigned her dowries in Pommern from 1677 and their younger sister, Dorothea Auguste was Princess-Abbess of Gandersheim from 1611. In 1583 she married Count Adolf XIII. von Holstein-Schauenburg (1547–1601) and had one son, Julius von Holstein-Schauenburg (1585–1601). In 1604 she married Duke Christoph von Braunschweig-Harburg (1570–1606). She lived (1677-1618).

1578-1600 Sovereign Lady Anna Walburga von Neuenahr-Bedburg of Moers, Bedburg, Garsforf and Rosberg (Germany)

Also known as Waldburga von Neuenhar, Countess von Hoorn, or Regierende Gräfin Walburgis von Neuenahr-Moers, she succeeded her brother, Hermann Graf von Neuenahr-Moers. Moers was occupied to by the Archbishopcy of Köln 1584-88 and by Maurits van Oranje 1588-94. Bedburg and Garsdorf was claimed by Adolf Bentheim-Steinfurt and Roesberg was held by the Ketler family 1578-circa 1595 until she sold the lordship to this family. She was first married to Philipp von Montmorency-Nivelle, Count von Hoorn, who was decapitated in 1567, and in 1570 to her nephew Adolf von Neuenahr, Lord of Neuenhar, Moers, Limburg, Bedburg, Alpen, Alterna, Weerth, Hackenboiche, Lennep and Helfenstein (circa 1545-1589). In 1594 named Maurits van Oranje as her heir. She lived (1522-1600)

1578-88 Princess-Abbess Elisabeth VII von Sayn of Essen (Germany)

During her reign "only" 14 witch-processes were conducted, only a fraction of the processes in the neighbouring countries. She was daughter of Count Adolf of Sayn and Maria von Mansfeld. Her brother's daughter Anna Elisabeth (1572-1608), inherited the county from her uncle in 1606. Anna Elisabeth was married to Count Wilhelm zu Sayn and Wittgenstein (d. 1623). 

Member of an old countly family.

1578-1611 Olangio to hoelialio Wulutileni Raja To Huliyalio of the Downlying Parts of Gorontalo (Indonesia)

The principality in North Sulawesi was divided between to branches of the same dynasty, which reigned a part each. She belonged to the Raja To Huliyalio-Branch and her title means ruler of the downlying parts. She succeeded her father, Tuliabu, and was followed on the throne by daughter, Mboheleo.

1578-79 Acting County Sheriff Margrethe Eriksdatter Lange of the County of Ålborghus with the Shires of Års, Flæskum, Gislum, Hindsted, Hornum, Horns, Hvetbo and Kære and the County of Viskumgård
1615-16 Acting County Sheriff of the County of Bygholm Len with the Shires of Bjerge, Hatting and Nim, Denmark

After the death of her first husband, Jens Nielsen Kaas, Margrethe Lange was acting Lensmand (County Sheriff) until a successor was appointed. Afterwards married to Knud Brahe (1555-1615) and after his death she was in charge of Bygholm etc. As most fief administrators she belonged to the ancient non-titled nobility. (d. 1622).

Also known as Katarzyna Sydonia Cieszyn, she reigned the the Slesian Duchy in the name of her son Adam Wacław after the death of her husband, Duke Wenzel III Andam. In 1586 she married Emmerich III Forgach, Obergespan of Trentschin. The daughter of Duke Franz I and Sibylle von Sachsen-Freiberg, she was mother of 6 of her husband's 9 children. Her son's daughter, Elisabeth Lukretia, succeeded her brother Friederich Wilhelm (1601-17-25) as ruler of Teschen in 1625. Katherina Sidonia (d. 1594).

1579-1623 Sovereign Duchess Marie de Luxembourg of Penthièvre and d'Étampes and Vicomtesse de Martigues (France)

Succeeded her father, Sébastien de Luxembourg. Her husband,
Philippe Emmanuel de Lorraine. She was married to Philippe-Emmanuel de Lorraine, Duc de Bretagne (1576–1602), was Duke of 'Étampes et de Penthièvre by the right of his wife. At the death of King Henri III, he claimed his inheritance, and they established an independent government at Nantes as head of the Bretonic League. When Philippe-Emmanuel made peace with King Henry IV, their daughter, Françoise de Lorraine-Mercœur (1592-1669) was married to his legitimised son César de Bourbon, Duc de Vendôme. Françoise was the richest heiress in the kingdom, and inherited the titles in 1602 upon her father's death, but Marie also held them until her own death. She lived (1562-1623).

1579-94 Princess-Abbess Magdalena von Gleissenthal of Obermünster in Regensburg (Germany)

1219 the reichsunmittelbare Chapter came under direct Papal protection and in 1315 Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian appointed the Abbess as Princess of the Realm. Heinrich II granted the Chapter immunity and during Konrad II, the abbess even received a royal sceptre. 1484 the Abbey was turned into a Chapter for Noble Ladies, with a vote in the College of the Prelates of the Rhine, whose 17 members (Princess-Abbesses and Prince-Abbots), which 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. (Geistliche Bank der Reichsfürstenrat). The Fürstäbtissin also sat on the Bavarian Landtag and from 1495/1500 member of the Geistlischen Fürstenbank (Lords Spiritual) of the Bayrischer Kreis (Bavarian Circle) and in 1521 mentioned as Reichsprälatin (Imperial Prelate) in an inventory of the Reichsstände - the territories of the Realm.

1579-97 Politically Influential Empress Maryam Sena of Ethiopia

During reign of her husband, Sarsa Dengel (1563-97). The country had been plagued by anarchy and civil war for generations, and it continued during her husband's period as Emperor. 

1580-1611 Sovereign Marquise Henriette de Savoie of Villars, Countess of Tende and Sommerive (France)

Daughter of Honoré II and Jeanne-Françoise de Foix and married to Charles de Lorraine. Her daughter, Catherine de Lorraine (1585-16189) and son-in-law, Carlo I Gonzaga, Duke of Mantova, Monferrato, Nevers and Rethel were Duchess and Duke of Mayenne. Henriette lived (1541-1611).  

1581-1604 Sovereign Duchess Claude Catherine de Clermont of Retz, Dame de Dampierre and Baronne de Retz  (France)

Originally she was created Duchess-regnant together with her husband. She lived (circa 1543-1604).

1581-1610 Captain-Donatary Margarida Côrte-Real of the Captainship of Angra including the Island of Terceira, Praia and São Jorge in the Azores (Portugal)

Held the office of Capitana do donatário, which was similar to that of governor, jointly with her husband, Cristovão de Moura, 1st marquês de Castelo Rodrigo (1538-1613), Vice-King of Portugal on several occations. She succeeded her father, Vasco Anes Corte-Real (1530-77-81), was mother of 3 children, and lived (1570-1610).

1581-... Regent Dowager Lady Elisabeth von Pallandt-Culemborg of Holstein-Schaumburg-Gemen (Germany)

1581-86 Princess-Abbess Agnes Hedwig von Anhalt of Gernrode and Frose (Germany)

The third of four of daughters of prince Joachim Ernst von Anhalt to be titular head of the territory. She was follower of Melanchthons (Philippstine), which was in opposition to the ruling Lutheran Orthodoxy in Dresden. At the age of 14 she married Kurfürst August von Sachsen-Dessau, who died of a stroke after less than a month. And then, after 5 years as ruler of Gernrode, she married as his second wife, Duke Johann von Holstein-Sønderborg in 1588. He was the brother of August's first wife, Anna of Denmark. Agnes-Hedwig gave birth to 7 children of which 2 daughters survived, and lived (1573-1616).

1582-1615 Sovereign Duchess Marguerite of Valois, Senlis, Clermont et d'Etampes (France)
1608-15 Countess of Auvergne et d'Eu

Succeeded mother, Catherine de Medici, in Valois. In 1572 she was forced to marry the Protestant Henri of Navarra (later Henri IV) to seal Catholic-Protestant reconciliation. She was involved in a number of extramarital love affairs at the courts of both her brother Henri III at Paris and her husband at Nerac. Expelled from the royal court for her political intrigues, she returned to the unwilling Navarre in 1584. After taking up arms against her husband, she was banished to the castle of Usson in Auvergne, where she soon took control. In 1599, ten years after her husband's accession to the throne, she consented to the annulment of her marriage. She was a very important cultural personality; her charm and literary talent were admired by the leading writers of the age and was also known as Reine Magot. She lived (1553-1615).

1582-1619 Sovereign Duchess Diane de Valois of Châtellerault, d'Angoulême et d'Etampes (France)
1593-96 Governor of Limousin
1605-19 Governor of the Bourbonnais

Daughter of Diane de Portiers and King Henri II of France, and was legitimized as Princess of France in 1548. She first married Orazio Farnese, Duke of Castro and secondly with François Villers-Cotterets, Duke de Montmorency. She lived (1538-1619).

1582-87 Reigning  Abbess-General Leonor de Castilla of the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos (Spain)

Followed Elisabeth zu Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel as the contra-abbess and real ruler after the official office-holder, Margareta II, had to flee in 1578.

1582-1611 County Sheriff Karen Eriksdatter Banner of the County of Orlofgård, Denmark
1611 Acting County Sheriff of the County of Jungshoved
1612 Acting County Sheriff of the County of Vordingborg with the Shires of Bårse, Hammer and Tybjerg

Karen Banner held the fief of Orlofgård after the death of her first husband Gregers Ulfstand and the fief of Jungshoved after the second, Henrik Lykke til Overgaard og Hverringe. She inherited the estate of Gisselfeld and Ryegård in 1588 after the death of Mette Rosenkrantz til Vallø, who had inherited it from her husband, Peder Oxe, who was her uncle,  in 1575. (d. 1611).

1582 Hereditary Landgravine Maximiliane von Pappenheim of Stühlingen, Lady of Hohenhöwen (Germany)

Inherited the territory after the death of her brother, Hereditary Marshal Maximilian von Pappenheim, and was married to Count Friedrich Rudolf von Fürstenberg.

1583-... Joint Sovereign Lady Susanne von Wildenstein of Breitenegg (Germany)

The daughter of Alexander III von Wildenstein, she inherited 1/4 of the lordship. Married to Georgs von Rindersbach.

1583-... Joint Sovereign Lady Agnes von Wildenstein of Breitenegg (Germany)

Younger daughter of Alexander III von Wildenstein, she inherited 1/4 of the lordship from her brother, Friedrich Karl I von Wildenstein. Married to a Lord von Haslang.

1583-1609 Reigning Dowager Lady Anna Elisabeth von Pfalz-Simmern of the County and Castel of Philippsburg in Hessen-Rheinfels (Germany)

Her husband Philipp II of Hessen-Rheinfels (1541-67-83) had apparently received the county of Philippsburg from his father, Philipp of Hessen-Kassel (d.1567). They did not have any children, and she lived (1549-1609).

1583-1611 Princess-Abbess Katherina II Brümsi von Herblingen of Schänis (Switzerland)

During her term in office the chapter burned down twice, in 1585 and 1610, and she sold some of the possessions in South Germany in order to extend the buildings of the Abbey and church. She reformed the Chapter and exerted her position as ruler of the territories. She was daughter of Eberhard von Brümsi, Lord of Altenklingen and Rosa von Breitenlandenberg.

1583-98 Princess-Abbess Ursula II Steinhauer of Baindt (Germany)

1583-98 Joint County Sheriff Magdalene Andersdatter Emmiksen of the County of Vissenbjerg Birk (or Grøftebjerg), Denmark

Magdalene Emmiksen was the owner of Millinge and Hejsager, she held the tenantcy jointly with her sister, Margrethe. After her death it was taken over by her husband, Erik Bille til Kjærsgård. Apparently her first husband had been Albert Maltesen Viffert with whom she had a son, Anders. She (d. 1598).

1583-84 Acting County Sheriff Karen Henriksdatter Friis of the County of Ålborghus, Denmark

Karen Friis was acting Lensmand or (County Sheriff) after the death of her husband, Bjørn Andersen Bjørn til Stenalt, Bjørnsholm, Voer, Gunderupgård og Strandbygård. 1562-66 Judge in Zealand, Councillor of State 1567, Lensmand of Fredsgård, Stege, Københavns Slot, Roskildegård, Tryggevælde, Århusgård og Ålborghus. They had 3 children and he had 6 children with his first wife, Sidsel Ulfstand. Karen Friis lived (1541-1601).

1584-1616 Raja Ijau I of Patani (Pattani) (Thailand)

According to the Portuguese chronicler Mendez Pinto, the mercantile elite decided in 1584 to give the throne to the sister of the murdered king after twenty years of unstable rule. She ruled as Raja Ijau the 'great queen' and was also known as Ratu Hijau "The Green Queen". She was on the throne when the first Dutch and English Company agents visited Patani, and one of these, Jacob van Neck, writing in 1604, reported a relatively prosperous state under her rule and she was well disposed to merchants, and was one of the major traders and financiers of the city. Her Malay monarchy absorbed a diversity of foreign traders into a polyglot elite united by the royal person, a Malay lingua franca, and a pattern of rules and sacred regalia passed down from courts such as Malacca and Pasai. The Chinese were the major merchants, but the most important of them, like the leading commercial official Datu Sirinara, had adopted Islam and the Malay manners of the court. Her aunt, Raja A'isyah had sometime been regent for Sultan Bahdur after Sultan Manzur Syah who ruled (1564-73). She was succeeded by sister and (d. 1616).

1584 Acting Lady Hilleborg Hansdatter of Gotland (Sweden)

Acting Lensherre - royal appointed lord of the fief - after the death of her husband, Emicke Kaas, until his successor arrived to the island.

1584-1601 Princess-Abbess Anna III von Stolberg-Weiningsrode  of Quedlinburg (Germany)

1585-97 Politically Influential Duchess Jakobäa von Baden of Jülich-Kleve-Berg-Mark (Germany)

Also known as Jakobea or Jakobe, she married Johann Wilhelm (1592-1609), and since her father-in-law, Wilhelm IV, was mentally deficient and her husband mentally ill and both therefore were unable to rule, she took the reigns after her marriage in 1585, managing to get some councillors on her side. She stood between the catholic party around the powerful Marshal Wilhelm von Waldenburg, supported by the Spanish Low Countries and the protestant lead by the Counts von Broich and Valckenstein and Lords von Rheydt, who tried to remove the catholic regentess with the help of the Dutch General States. Because of the intrigues of her sister-in-law, Sybille, she thought about moving back to Bavaria, but the responsibly towards her husband made her stay in Düsseldorf. She became more and more powerful, but Sybille spread rumours about her unmoral way of life and in 1595 Von Waldenburg held her prisoner, she was accused and convicted of infidelity and kept in the castle for two years. With the help of her brother-in-law, Count Leuchtenberg, she wrote a document of defence and managed to have a trial arranged, but died before the trial was called. After her death, her husband married Antionia of Lorraine (d. 1610), but did not have any children. She lived (1558-97).

1585-86 Acting County Sheriff Kirsten Christiansdatter Lykke of the County of Vordingborg with the Sires of Tryggevælde and Faxe, Denmark

Kirsten Lykke was also known as Kirstine, and was in charge of the administration of the tenantcy after the death of her husband, Eiler Grubbe til Lystrup (1532-85), who was at one time Chancellor of the Realm. In 1594 she married Niles Gyldenstierne til Bjørnholm, and lived (1558-1630)

1585-1604 Acting County Sheriff Ingeborg Nielsdatter Skeel of the County of Sejlstrup
1586 County Sheriff of the County of Amtofte and Strekhals, Denmark

Ingeborg Skeel had bought Voergård in 1578 together with her mother, Karen Krabbe and they got the right of lower court in the parishes of Voer, Albæk og Skæve, which meant that they appointed the judge and got the income from fines and the costs of the law cases. She was an able farmer and trader, and administered both her own and her husband's estate. After the death of her husband, Otto Banner til Asdal, she took over the administration of the fief, and after her mother died the following year, she took over her two small royal fiefs; Amtofte in Thy and Strekhals in Mors (Northern Jutland). There are many stories about her as an evil mistress who killed the architect of one of her estates and a harsh employer towards the peasants, but the stories does not seem to be based on facts. She was daughter of Niels Skeel and Karen Banner, had no children, and lived (circa 1545-1604).

1586-1618 Sovereign Countess Sabine Katharina Cirksena von Ostfriesland of Rietberg (Germany)

4 years old when her mother, Walburga of Rietberg, died, and her father, Enno III Cirksena von Ostfriesland, acted as regent. She was married to her uncle, Count Johann von Ostfriesland - who had converted to Catholism - with papal dispensation because they were too closely related. She also converted and introduced the catholic faith to her county. She died giving birth to her 11th child, and lived (1582-1618). 

1586-1616 Hereditary Lady Agnes Cirksena von Ostfriesland und Rietberg of Dietrichstein-Wichelstädt, Esens Stedesdorf and Wittmund (Germany)

Sister of Countess Sabine Katharina of Rietberg, she inherited parts of the territories of her family. She was the first wife of Gundacker von Liechtenstein, Lord of Wilffersdorf and Riegelsdorf, Governor of Austria (1614-17) and 1st Prince of Liechtenstein (1623-58) and mother of two sons. His second wife was Sovereign Duchess Elisabeth Lukretia of Teschen (1599-1653). Agnes lived (1586-1616). 

1586-1612 Princess Zofia Olelkowicz-Slucki of Sluck (Lithuania - Now Poland)

Only one year old when she inherited the possessions of her father, Jerzy Olelkowicz-Słucki with her mother, Barbara Kiszczanka (d. before 1606) acting as her guardian. She married Janusz Prince Radziwill, castellan of Wilno (1579-1620) was also known as Zofia z Olelkowiczów Radziwiłłowa, and lived (1585-1612)

1586-1600 Regent Dowager Princess Barbara Kiszczanka of Sluck (Lithuania - Now Poland)

Reigned during her daughter's minority after her husband, Jerzy Olelkowicz-Slucki's death, the large estate in what was Lithuania at the time - it later became part of Russia, Belarus and since 1920 Poland. She was daughter of Mikolaj Kiszka, Voivode Podlaski and Barbara Chodkiewicz, and (d. before 1608).

1586-95 Reigning Dowager Duchess Barbara of Brandenburg of Brieg (Brzeg) (Poland)

Also known as Brandenburska, she was widow of Duke Georg von Brieg (Jerzy II of Brzeg) and held the Slesian Principality as her dowry. She lived (1527-95).

1586-1604 Princess-Abbess Magdalena I zur Lippe of Herford (Germany)

Her sister, Margareta, had been sovereign of the territory 1563-78.

1586-87 County Sheriff Kirstine Andersdatter Lindenov of the County of Vesterstad (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Kirsten Lindenov was widow of Steen Clausen Bille (1527-86), who was Judge, diplomat and soldier, and she held the fief, which is situated in the Landscape of Skåne, now Sweden. She owned the estate of Herrevad Kloster and Sellerup in her own right. After 17 years of marriage she had a son followed by one more son and a daughter (d. 1612).

1586-1626 County Sheriff Beate Christoffersdatter Huitfeldt of the County of Møllerud, the Shire of Gers and the County of Epholt, Denmark
1615-26 County Sheriff of the Counties of Lund Skt. Peders Kloster in Skåne (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Beate Huitfeldt was widow of Knud Ebbesen Ulfeldt til Svenstorp and held the small tenantcies as security for some loans. Mistress of the Court (Hofmesterinde) of Queen Anna Cathrine von Brandenburg from 1597 until her death in 1612 and for the three young princes until 1617. As an award for her court service, she was given the tenantcy of Gers Herred i Skåne and 1615 St. Peders Kloster i Lund, also Skåne, also owner of a number of estates in her own right. She wrote the history of her family and she was sister of the famous Chancellor of the Realm and historian, Arild Huitfeldt, mother of 2 sons, and lived (1554-1626).

1587-93 Regent Dowager Duchess Christine von Hessen-Kassel of Holstein-Gottorp (Germany)
1587-1604 Reigning Dowager Lady of the Administrative Office and Castle of Kiel

Her oldest son, Friederich II, succeeded his father, Adolf (1526-33-86), as Duke of Gottorp at the age of 18. He died after one year and was then succeeded by their second son, Philipp (1570-87-90) and finally after his death by the youngest, Johan Adolf (1575-1590-1616). Her husband had been given the duchy after the death of his father, King Frederik I of Denmark and his older brother, Johann was given Hadersleben (Haderslev) but he died without issue in 1591. She was mother of a total of 10 children, and lived (1543-1604).

1587-90 and 1596-99 Reigning Abbess-General Inés Enríquez of the Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos (Spain)

1587-89 County Sheriff Pernille Albrechtsdatter Gøye of the County of Vesterstad (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Pernille Gøye was probably married to Hak Holgersen Ulfstand til Hikkebjerg (1535-95), who married Anne Vernerdatter Parsberg after her death. She did not have any children, and lived (1550-89).

1587-90 County Sheriff Tale Tagesdatter Thott of the Counties of Åhus and Åsum, (At the time Denmark, now Sweden)

Thale Thott or Tale Tot was in charge of Åhus and Åsum, situated in the Landscape of Skåne after the death of her husband, Arild Axelsen Urup (1528-87). A number of folk tales and folk songs were written about their love story. She lived (1550-1611).

1588-94 Regent Dowager Queen Sophie von Mecklenburg-Schwerin of Schleswig-Holstein (Slesvig-Holsten) (Denmark and Germany)
1588-1631 Reigning Dowager Lady of Lolland-Falster, County Sheriff of the County of Nykøbing with the 2 Shires of Falster and the Counties of Ålholm and Ravnsborg, Denmark

Sophie af Mecklenborg was widow of Frederik 2., and regent for her son Christian 4. in the Duchies of Slesvig-Holsten 1588-94. She was engaged in a power struggle with the Regents of Denmark, The Council of State, which had Christian declared of age in 1593, but she did not give up her position in the Duchies before the following year. She then withdrew to Lolland-Faster, where she managed her estates extremely well and became very rich, lending her son a lot of money for his warfares. Her Dowries included the jurisdiction of Majbølle, Nybølle, Kallø, Soersmark, Oreby, Urne and Vignæs Birk, which meant that she had the right to appoint the judge (birkedommer) and received the income from the costs of the proceedings and fines. She lived (1557-1631).

1588-94 Titular Duchess Charlotte de La Mack of Boullion, Princess of Sedan, Jametz and Ravcourt (France)

Inherited the title from her brother, Guillaume-Robert, and after she died giving birth to a stillborn daughter, she was succeeded by husband, Henri de la Tour d'Auvergne. The duchy today is held by the Dukes of Rohan, via succession trough female lines. She lived (1575-94).

1588-1613 Titular Marchioness Maria Mencia van Wittem van Beersel of Bergen op Zoom, Countess van Walhain, Dame of Beerssel, Duffel, Gheel, Leefdael, Waver, Eigenbrakel etc. (The Netherlands)

Daughter of Jan van Wittem, Vicomte de Sébourg etc (d. 1588), who was joint superintendent with his wife, Marie Marguerite de Mérode, Marchioness van Bergen op Zoom (d. 1588). Maria Mencia was first married to Herman van Berg s'Heerenberg, count of Bergh, Governor of Spanish Gelre (1558-1611), and secondly to Guillaume de Melun, Prince d'Epinoy (d. 1635), and was succeeded by daughter Maria Elisabeth Clara. Maria Mencia's sister Margareta inherited the title of Baroness van Bautershem and Ernestine inherited the title of Countess de Walhain, Viscountess de Sébourg.  She lived (1581-1613). 

1588-98 Princess-Abbess Elisabeth VIII von Manderscheid-Blankenheim of Essen (Germany)

Sister of Elisabeth VI, who had resigned in 1578 in order to marry an Evangelical count. The abbey was severely damaged during the wars of the time. In 1590 she appointed her brother Amtmann (Governor) in Breisig, a small territory which was also claimed by the Duke of Jülich. 

1589-93 Governor Luisa Grinalda, Espírito Santo (Brazil)

After the death of her husband, Vasco Fernandes Coutinho, she acted as governor for the King of Portugal, until she returned to her Portugal and died in a Chapter in Èvora some years later. She was daughter of Pedro Álvares Corrêa and Caterina Grimaldi, and lived (1541-circa 1626).

1589-1602 Sovereign Countess Amelie von Neuenahr-Alpen of Neuenahr und Limburg, Acting Hereditary Marshal of the Diocese of Köln, Acting Lady of Alpen, Helpenstein and Lennep (The Netherlands and Germany)

In charge of Vianden and a number of attached possessions 1579-87 as an inheritance from her first husband, Heinrich von Brederode (1531-68). She married Friedrich II von der Pfalz in 1569, but he died in 1576. In 1589 she inherited Limburg from her half-brother, Anton. In 1590 she was given the rights of use of Alpen, Helpenstein, Lennep and Erbvogtei of Köln by her half-sister, Magdalena, who was the owner of the territories after the death of their brother. Alpen was occupied by the Republic of the Netherlands in 1597 and the following year by the Spanish Low Countries which also occupied Helpenstein and the Stewardship of Köln. 1600 she took possession of Alpen and, she still held the right of Linnep and Limburg. She was succeeded by sister, Magdalena, the basis of the inheritance-settlement (erbvertrag) from 1575. Also known as Amalia, she was daughter of Gumprecht II. von Neuenahr-Alpen, Count of Limburg (1505-1552/1556), and Carda von Schaumburg (d. 1540) in her second marriage, and lived (1539-1602).

1589-1601 Sovereign Duchess Louise de Lorraine-Vaudémont of Berry (France)

After her husband, King Henri III of France, was murdered, she spend the rest of her life in mourning. She did not have any children, and lived (1553-1601).

1589-1605 Princess-Abbess Ursula II von Stotzingen of Heggbach (Germany)

Prioress and second-in-command for a number of years before her election. At the time of her reign, her family was Imperial Immediate Lords (Reichsfreien Herren) of a territory in Württemberg and were later appointed Counts.

1589-1611 Princess-Abbess Anna Erika zu Waldeck-Eisenberg of Gandersheim (Germany)

The first Evangelical ruler of the territory and for the first time since 1206 no Papal confirmation was sought for her election. She saw the fact that Emperor Rudolf II gave her the fief and regalia (mit den regalien belehnt) as a proof of the independent character of the territory and she refused to swear an oath of allegiance (Erbhuldigung) to the Duke of Braunschweig, but in 1593 she and Duke Heinrich Julius signed the "Grand Treaty" (Grosser Vertrag) where she gave the Duke a right to have a say when positions within the chapter had to be filled. On the other hand the Duke accepted that the Chapter enjoyed Freedom of the Realm (Reichsunmittelkeit). The chapter burned down in 1597 and was rebuilt in renaissance-style, which lead to heavy depths to the Duke of Braunschweig. She was daughter of Wolrad II Count of Waldeck-Eisenberg and Anastasia von Schwarzenburg, and lived (1551-1611).

Circa 1590-1660 Mwan and Yau Lundij Rweej of Lunda (Congo)

Succeeded by husband Cibinda Ilunga as ruler of the marshy environment of the Upemba depression, the source of the Zaire River, which encouraged the formation of a state. It demanded that its inhabitants develop forms of large-scale cooperation if they were to maintain a secure and productive lifestyle. In the Upemba environment of lakes, marshes and river channels, they needed dikes to protect homes against seasonal flooding, drainage channels, and dams to retain lake waters for dry-season fishing.

Inherited the principality from her father, I Daeng Padulu, and was succeeded by husband, Tunijallo, who was also Somba of Gowa.

Successor of her father, and abdicated in favour of her husband as rule by women became to be considered not to be in keeping with Islam, but he was deposed after one year for urging his people to accept Islam. Her ceremonial name was MatinroE-ri Sidenreng.

1590 Regent Dowager Princess Isabel de Mendoza of Piombino and the Lordships of Scarlino, Populonia, Suvereto, Buriano, Abbadia al Fango and Vignale and the Islands of Elba, Montecristo, Pianosa, Cerboli and Palmaiola  (Italy)

After the death of her husband, Alessandro Appiani d'Aragona, she was regent for son, Giacopo VIII (1581-1603). Later her daughter, Isabella (1577-1661), was Princess of the territory 1611-24 until she was deposed by the Spanish. The daughter of Don Pedro Gonsalvo de Mendoza, COunt of Binasco, Ambassador of the King of Spain to Genova, she lived (1558-1619).

1590-1606 Joint Sovereign Countess Gabrielle de Montmorency-Laval  of Joigny (France)

She sold the county to Pierre de Gondi. She d. 1616). 

1590-93 Reigning Abbess-General Beatriz Manrique de Lara y Valencia of the Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos (Spain)

1591 Acting County Sheriff Anne Knudsdatter Gyldenstierne of of the County of Malmøhus  with the Shires of Oxle, Ingelstad and Jærestad and the County of Högby (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)
1591-92 Acting County Sheriff of the County of Kalundborg with the Shires of Arts Løve and Ods Skippinge and Samsø, Denmark

Anna or Anne Gyldenstierne was widow of Corfitz Viffert. She lived (1544-95).

1591-1637 Feudal Duchess Isabella Gonzaga of Sabbioneta e Treatto, Contessa di Roddi e Ricalta, Baronessa di Tutino, Itri e Minturno, Contessa di Fondi (Italy)

Succeeded her father, Vespasiano I Gonzaga Colonna is possessions and a rich dowry in gold coins. It opened a bitter dispute over the succession to the duchy of Sabbioneta with her relatives; the Gonzaga of Mantua and of San Martin. An agreement was signed and the small state was dismembered: the county of Rodigo went to Vincenzo I Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua, the Marquisate of Ostiano and the feuds of Cocoon , Rivarolo and Commessaggio were divided among the sons of Pirro Gonzaga and the she kept Sabbioneta, Itri , Fondi and Minto. She married to Don Luigi Carafa Principe di Stigliano (d. 1630). At her death she was succeeded by her granddaughter, Donna Anna Carafa de Stigliano-Gonzaga (1637-44), who was married to the Duke de Medinas de Torres, Don Ricardo de Guzmán. She lived (1565-1637).

1592-1600 Regent Dowager Duchess Dorothea af Danmark of Braunschweig-Lüneburg (Germany)
1592 Reigning Dowager Lady of the Administrative Office and Castle of Winsen (Schloss und Amt) and of Gross Rhode

From 1582 her husband, Wilhelm, suffered fits of insanity and she fled in security. After his death she was regent for son, Duke Georg (1692-1644) who inherited the duchies of Carlenberg-Göttingen from a relative. She mistrusted the Councillors who had thrown the country into chaos during her husband's illness, took matters in her own hand and became known as an energetic and charitable regent. She was daughter of King Christian III of Denmark and lived (1546-1617).

1592-1609 Politically Influential Princess Sibylla von Jülich-Kleve-Berg of Jülich-Kleve-Berg-Mark (Germany)

Contemporary sources describe her as power-mad, stupid and vindictive. She supported Marshal Wilhelm von Waldenburg and in 1595 she handed over a petition against her sister-in-law, Jakobäa von Baden, to the Landtag in Grevenbroich accusing her of among others infidelity. She and von Waldenburg claimed to working for the healing of the insane Duke and in this way they managed to keep power. They were rumoured to have caused the sudden and mysterious death of Jakobäa, and the rumours continued for centuries. After the death of her brother, Johann Wilhelm, she engaged in a war of succession together with her husband, Archduke Karl of Austria (d. 1618) against the husbands and children of her sisters: Marie Eleonora (1550-1608), Anne (1552-1632) with her husband, Pfalzgraf Philipp Ludwig von Pfalz-Neuburg (d. 1614), Magdalena (1553-33) with Pfalzgraf Johann von Pfalz-Zweibrücken (d. 1604). In the end it was the oldest daughter of Marie Eleonora, Anna von Preussen, who inherited the duchies. Sibylle lived (1557-1627).

1592-98 Politically Influential Queen Anna von Habsburg of Poland 

The beginning of the 17th Century in Poland went through a very turbulent time, and she was influential during the reign of her husband Zygmunt III Wasa, who was elected as successor of Stefan Batory as King of the Polish and Lithuanian Commonwealth. Sigismund was son of Johann III Vasa of Sweden (1537-1592) and Katarina of Poland (1526-83), the daughter of Sigismund I the Old and his wife Bona Sforza. On his father's death, he was offered the Swedish throne, and he was crowned in 1594. He tried to rule Sweden from Poland but his uncle (duke Charles, later king Charles IX) took full control of Sweden. In 1598 Sigismund tried to defeat him with a mixed army from Sweden and Poland but was defeated in the battle of Stångebro. She was daughter of Archduke Karl II of Austria, mother of four children, and lived (1573-98).

1592-1608 Guardian Dowager Duchess Sophie von Holstein-Gottorp of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Güstrow (Germany)
1592 Reigning Dowager Lady of the Administrative Offices of Rehna, Wittenburg and Lübz
1603-08 Administrator of Schwerin

After her husband, Duke Johann VII of  (1558-76-92) committed suicide at Stargard, she became guardian for her sons, Duke Adolf Friedrich I of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1588-92-1628) and Johann Albrecht II of Mecklenburg-Güstrow (1590-92-1610-36) and yielded substantial influence over the government in Schwerin. After the death of her brother-in-law Sigismund August was Duke (1576-1603) and his uncle, Ulrich III (1603) she signed a treaty with the new Duke Karl which left her with the administration of Schwerin until her sons came of age. She was engaged in heavy disputes with the Treasurer Andreas Meier, whom she accused of fraud and she demeaned to have the financial control transferred to her at the Assemblies of 1604 and 1606, but it was denied. She was active in trade and commerce and modernised her residence in her dowries where she possessed full sovereignty - except for the role as fief-overlord over the nobility. But her territories were occupied several times during the Thirty Years War. Her sons accused her of mismanagement and their relationship was never good. She lived (1569-1634).

1593-1604 Sovereign Countess Magdalene von Nassau-Wiesbaden of Virneburg (Germany)

After the death of her husband, Joachim von Manderscheid-Schleiden (1540-82), 2 relatives were appointed regents and guardians for her children, and she spend lot of energy keeping on to her dowry Neurburg and preventing her young son from being taken abroad for "proper catholic education" by the Spanish Duke of Alba, the governor of the Southern Netherlands - Manderscheid was within the Luxembourgian interest sphere. Her son Philipp Dietrich died in 1590 and her daughters and son-in-laws were engaged in a fight over the succession, which was solved in the way that the 3 sons-in-law alternated in reigning the country one year at a time. In the end the county of Schleiden was divided among the three. She later inherited the country of Virneburg from her brother-in-law, Count Dietrich IV von Manderscheid-Schleiden-Virneburg, who was the last male member of the line. She secured the succession for her oldest, and only surviving daughter, Elisabeth, who took over the inheritance in 1604 and transferred the county to her husband and son. Magdalene lived (1546-1604).

1593-1616 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Countess Anna von Nassau-Dillenburg of Weilburg and of the Lordship of Wehen in Nassau-Ottweiler (Germany)

1593-1610 Princess-Abbess Sophie Elisabeth von Anhalt-Dessau of Gernrode and Frose (Germany)

When she resigned in order to marry her cousin, Georg Rudolf (Jerzy) von Liegnitz (1595-1653), as his first wife, the Ecclesiastical Territory was secularised and incorporated into Anhalt-Bernburg. She was daughter of Johann Georg I von Anhalt-Dessau and his first wife, Dorothea von Mansfeld-Arnstein, did not have any children, and lived (1589-1622).

1593-96 and 1599-1601 Reigning Abbess-General Juana de Ayala      of the Monastery of Santa Maria la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos (Spain)

1594-1613 Queen Kusumasana Devi of Kandy (Sri Lanka)

Her father, king Karaliadde Bandara, on his deathbed had placed her in the custody of the Portugues, brought her up as a Christian under the name of Dona Catarina. Together with the Portugese she fought Vimaladharma and as installed on the throne. Her supporter, Lopez de Souza, was killed at the battle of Danture in 1594 when she fell into the hands of Konappu Bandara, a Kandyan aristocrat who had mastered Portuguese military skills by feigning to have become a Christian became the king of Senkadagalapura (Kandy) in 1592, after deposing the Portuguese puppet Don Juan, set up by them. Konappu Bandara assumed the name of Vimaladharmasuriya I, (1592- 1604) marrying her and thereby strengthening his claim to the throne. After his death, she married his first cousin Senarat (1604-1635), a former priest. She lived (1578-1613).

1594-1608 Princess-Abbess Margaretha II Mufflin of Obermünster in Regensburg (Germany)

Elected as successor of Magdalena von Gleissenthal.

1594-1610 Princess-Abbess Eléonore von Montfort of Buchau (Germany)

Her reign was very quiet and the chapter was in a stable development. She was daughter of Count Hugo von Montfort and Magdalena von Schwarzenberg and niece of the former abbess, Margarete von Montfort (1540-56). 

The carriage presented to Safiye as a present by Queen Elizabeth I of England

1594-1603 Politically Influential Safiye Vailde Sultan of The Ottoman Empire (Covering Turkey, Greece, The Balcans, parts of the Middle East and Northern Africa)

1594-1600 (†) Politically Influential Esperanza Malchi in the Ottoman Empire (Covering Turkey, Greece, The Balcans, parts of the Middle East and Northern Africa)

Throughout the ages the Queen Mothers had carried out their financial dealings through a series of Jewish women (kira), who acted as commercial agents for the secluded Harem women. She was Safiye's kira, and became enormously rich, and the Secretary to the British embassy in the 1600s even attributed her influence to the fact that she and Safiye were lovers. In 1600 the imperial cavalry rose up in a revolt because of the devaluation of the currency. Their fury was directed towards her and she was killed together with her son.

1595-96 Acting County Sheriff Margrethe Ottosdatter Brahe of the Counties of Åkjær and Sønderlyngherred, Denmark
1612 Acting County Sheriff of the County of Landskrona Skåne (At the time part of Denmark, now Sweden)

Margrethe Brahe was in charge of the administration of the tenantcy after the death of her hsuband, Councillor of State Christen Skeel til Hegnet, Hammeltofte and Fusingø (1543-96), who was County Sheriff (Lensmand) of the Fiefs of Bøvling Slot and Len and Aakjær Len for many years. After the death of her second husband, Christian (Kristen) Bernekov, she was in charge of his tenantcy. She was daughter of Otto Brahe til Knudstrup and Beate Bille,  who was County Sheriff of Røding from 1571, and lived (1551-1616).

1595-99 Duchess Gabrielle d'Estree of Beaufort and Verneuil, Marquise de Monceaux (France)

Mistress of Henri IV of France and active in persuading him to convert from Protestantism to Catholism. She died after having given birth to a stillborn child, her third, and lived (1571-99).

1595-1615 Princess-Abbess Maria III von und zu Eltz of Munsterbilzen, Dame of Wellen, Haccourt, Hallembaye and Kleine-Spouwen (Belgium)

Possibly the daughter of Bernhard, Herr von und zu Eltz zu Üttingen und Wolmeringen, Governor of Diedenhofen, Statholder of Luxemburg, (d. b.1550) and Jutta de Villers (d. before 1534).

1596-1616 Reigning Dowager Duchess Anna von Württemberg of Hainau (Chojnów) (Poland)

Also known as Anna Wirtemberska, she held the Slesian Duchy as her dowry after the death of her first husband, Duke Jan Jerzy of Oława (Johan von Ohlau). In 1594 she was married (as the third wife) to Duke Friederich IV von Liegnitz (Fryderyk of Legnica). She was daughter of Duke Christopher von Württemberg and markgräfin Anna Maria von Brandenburg-Bayreuth, mother of two children, and lived (1561-1616).

1596-99 Acting County Sheriff Margrethe Ottesdatter Rosenkrantz of the County of Hindsgavl with Vendsherred, Denmark

After the death of her husband, Hans Johansen Lindenov, Margrethe Rosenkrantz was in charge of the tenantcy. She raised several young noble women and her own grandchildren, and was mother of 9 children, and lived (1552-1635).

1596 Governor and Admiral Isabel Barreto de Castro, Santa Cruz (Solomon Islands at the time a Spanish Possession)      

Just after the death of her husband, Alvaro Mendana de Neyra, Spanish navigator (1541-96), she proclaimed herself governor and took command of the fleet. Her husband had been given command of a small fleet by his uncle, the Governor-General of Peru in 1567. After his return they married and in 1594 Philip II appointed him as governor of the island of San Cristobal in the Solomons, and gave orders to found a colony there. They left for the islands in 1595 and on the way they discovered the Marquesas de Mendoza Islands and another large island, which they named Santa Cruz, and resolved to establish the colony there. Some of the crew murdered one of the native chiefs, and a bloody war was begun against the invaders. Afterward there was a mutiny among the troops. These adversities undermined her husabnd's health, and he soon died, leaving the government to her. Soon after she and the chief pilot, Quiros resolved to abandon the colony, and she directed her ships to the Philippines. She held the title “La Amiranta de la Mar Oceana”, and lived (1570-1612).

1597-1603 Crown Councillor Dowager Empress Hamalmal Malik Mogasa of Ethiopia
1604-1607 Politically Influential

Following the death of her husband, Emperor Sartsa Dengel (or Malik Sagad I) (1563-97), she was member of the regency for stepson, Yaqub (Malik Sagad II) (1590-97-1603 and 1604-07), and remained influential after he came of age. He was deposed by a cousin in 1603 and killed in battle against another, who took over the throne. She was born as Mariam Senna, and (d. 1614).

1597-1603 Crown Councillor Dowager Empress Hamalmal Malik Mogasa of Ethiopia
1604-1607 Politically Influential

Following the death of her husband, Emperor Sartsa Dengel (or Malik Sagad I) (1563-97), she was member of the regency for stepson, Yaqub (Malik Sagad II) (1590-97-1603 and 1604-07), and remained influential after he came of age. He was deposed by a cousin in 1603 and killed in battle against another, who took over the throne. She was born as Mariam Senna, and (d. 1614).

1597 Regent Dowager Feudal Baroness Isabella della Tolfa of Agripoli(Italy)

The widow of Agostino Grimaldi and regent for son, Nicola Merualdo Grimaldi, she sold the feudal the barony to Dalmazio Arcalla Caracciolo for 12.390 Ducates. 

1597-1611 Regent Dowager Lady Metta van Limburg-Bronckhorst of Holstein-Schaumburg-Gemen (Germany)

1597-1628 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Countess Erika von Isenburg-Birstein of the Castle and Administrative Office of Burgschwalbach in Nassau-Weilburg (Germany)

1597-1608 Reigning Dowager Lady Dowager Duchess Katharina Sophia von Liegnitz of the Administrative Offices of Flossenbürg and Vohenstrauß and parts of Parkstein-Weiden in Pfalz-Zweibrücken-Velden-Parkestein (Germany)

1598 De facto reigning Zarina Irina Fedorovna Godunova of Russia (07.-17. January)

Considered to be the effective ruler throughout the reign of her weak husband, Fedor I Ivanovich, from 1584. In 1598 she took the throne for ten days before retirering to a convent to become a nun. After a brief interregnum, her brother Boris Godunov was elected to succeed her. She lived (1557-1603).

1598-1621 Isabel Clara Eugenia, Infanta of Spain, By the Grace of Good Archduchess of Austria, Joint Duchess of Burgundy, Lothringen, Brabant, Limbourg, Luxembourg and of Gelders, Joint Countess of Vlaanderen, Artois and Bourgogne and Tirol, Palatine of Hainault, Holland, Namour and of Zuytphen, Margravine of the Holy Roman Realm, Joint Lady of Friesland, Salins, Mechelen, of the City, Cities and Lands of Utrecht, Overijssel and Groeningen
1589-1633 Countess of Franche-Comté (Belgium)
1617-33 Joint Marchioness of Coligny and Andelot (France)
1621-33 Governor of the Southern Low Countries (Belgium-Luxembourg)

After her uncle, Henri III of France, was assassinated 1589, her father, Felipe II of Spain, claimed the French crown on her behalf in spite of the Salic Law and the fact that her mother, Elisabeth de Valois, had to abjure any claims to the French crown with her marriage. 10 years later she married her cousin Archduke Albert of Austria, and they became joint Governors of the Southern Netherlands. Their reign brought a period of much-needed peace and stability to the economy and their actions stimulated the growth of a separate South Netherlandish identity. She promoted the Flemish Baroque and artists as Rubens, Brueghel, Coebergher, the De Nole family, the Van Veens and others. Their court became a vital link in the chain of Habsburg courts and the diplomatic conduits between Madrid, Vienna, Paris, London, Lisbon, Graz, Innsbruck and Prague. When her husband died in 1621, she joined the order of the Sisters of St. Clare, and became the governor of the Netherlands. Mother of 3 children who all died as infants, and lived (1566-1633).

1598-99 Sovereign Countess Anna von Stolberg-Königstein-Rochefort of Wertheim and Rochefort (Germany)

Her father Ludwig zu Stolberg-Königstein had inherited the possessions of the House of Eppstein-Königstein in 1532 and in 1556 he inherited the county of Wertheim. She was married to Count Ludwig zu Löwenstein-Scharffeneck  (1530-1611), who added Wertheim to his name and was Stadtholder of Styria, Carinthia and Carnolia. She lived (1531/48-99).