Includes bibliographical references (p. 227-259) and index
Early female sovereigns in global perspective -- Europe's female sovereigns, 1300-1800 : an overview -- Difficult beginnings : heiresses with crowned husbands, 1300-1550 -- Female regents promote female rule, 1500-1630 -- Husbands finessed : the era of Elizabeth I, 1550-1700 -- Husbands subordinated : the era of Maria Theresa, 1700-1800 -- Ruling without inheriting : Russian empresses -- Female rule after 1800 : constitutions and popular culture