When Women Ruled the World

In "When Women Ruled the World," Maureen Quilligan presents a revisionist history that highlights how four influential queens—Mary Tudor, Elizabeth I, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Catherine de' Medici—transformed European monarchy during the tumultuous 16th century. Amidst religious conflicts and societal upheaval, these women cultivated a culture of mutual respect and collaboration, countering long-held narratives of rivalry. Quilligan illuminates their creative contributions and the bonds they forged through diplomacy and artistic patronage, offering a fresh perspective on the Renaissance era and its remarkable female leaders.