From the murky and mysterious world of Merovingian France in the 6th century to Tudor and Elizabethan England in the 16th and 17th centuries, many women held power as queens regnant and queens consort. These queens held the ultimate power of life and death over their subjects, and frequently declared war on their rivals as well. Political ambitions often overcame societal norms and our queens often challenges traditional gender roles to assert their influence on allies and adversaries.

DELIVERY MODE

• Hybrid (F2F & Online simultaneously)

SUGGESTED READING

• Game of Queens, Sara Gristwood
• Rival Queens, Nancy Goldstone
• The Dark Queens, Shelly Puhak
• The Life of Elizabeth I, Alison Weir
• Elizabeth and Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens, Jane Dunn

COURSE OUTLINE

• Brunhilda and Fredegund
• Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boylen
• Catherine de Medici and Marguerite de Valois
• Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Discuss power dynamics of monarchy
2. Explore female agency within historical context