Facts We Just Learned About Historical Queens That Made Us Say 'Really?'
According to Queen Bey, "Who run the world? Girls." And while there have been far more male rulers throughout history, there have been some seriously cool women who have taken control. One of the most iconic is a contemporary ruler - Elizabeth II, Queen of England - who has been on the throne for over 60 years. But what about the queens who came before her? Famous queens of history like Cleopatra, Marie Antoinette, and Catherine the Great? These historical, and mostly great, queens truly paved the way for the women who followed in their footsteps. From their skill sets to familial history, these queens truly left their mark. Clearly, we didn't learn enough about them during history class.
Vote up the facts you wish you would have known earlier about these powerful female leaders.
- 1597 VOTES
Marie Antoinette Adopted Multiple Orphaned Children
From Redditor u/marmorset:
TIL Marie Antoinette had several adopted children including a boy from Senegal whom she freed after he was given to her [as] a slave.
Context: Marie Antoinette and her husband Louis XVI had difficulty conceiving children. To deal with these perceived shortcomings, she was known to take care of children that were not her own. She took in orphaned children from both a maid of hers and an usher, as well as a boy who was given to her as a gift and would have traditionally been put into slavery.
- 2455 VOTES
Mary Queen Of Scots Was Really Tall
From a former Redditor:
TIL that Mary, Queen of Scots was 5'11" (1.8m) tall in an age when 5'4" (1.63m) was considered tall for a woman.
Context: Mary, Queen of Scots, was in fact almost 6 feet tall. The average height for women at the time was estimated to be nearly a foot shorter than she stood.
- 3325 VOTES
There Was A Female Mongol Leader Thought To Be The Most Powerful Female Leader
From Redditor u/doc_daneeka:
TIL that the Mongol empire had a female Great Khan (Khatun) for several years, probably the most powerful woman in history.
Context: Genghis Khan's son was appointed to rule in 1229. However, after the son eventually fell into drunken binges, Genghis Khan's most competent wife essentially took over. Toregene even stayed in power after her husband's passing.
- 4492 VOTES
Cleopatra's Eyeliner Was Medicinal
From Redditor u/channel_hopper:
TIL Cleopatra’s eyeliner wasn't just for beauty purposes - the lead salt found in it helped protect her against eye disease
Context: Much of the makeup available in ancient Egypt was composed with lead salts. While lead is often seen as a health hazard, recent studies have shown that in small doses around the eyes, it may have had health benefits. According to a lead researcher, the lead compounds in makeup may have been used to promote immune cells and prevent eye illnesses.
- 5407 VOTES
Queen Victoria Had A Grandchild That Lived Until 1981
From Redditor u/house_of_ghosts:
TIL that the first grandchild of Queen Victoria to die [did so] in 1866 and the last... in 1981.
Context: Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, was the daughter of Queen Victoria's youngest son, Leopold. She was the last surviving grandchild of Queen Victoria. She passed in her home in London on January 4, 1981, at age 97.
- 6357 VOTES
Elizabeth II Is A Trained Mechanic
From Redditor u/StaysAwakeAllWeek:
TIL Queen Elizabeth is a trained mechanic
Context: Elizabeth II was determined to join the Armed Forces when she was younger, despite her father being reluctant to let her do so. In her duty, she learned to drive vehicles, change tires, and rebuild engines.