She-Wolves: The Women Who Rule England Before Elizabeth

"She-Wolves: The Women Who Rule England Before Elizabeth" by Helen Castor explores the influential female monarchs and regents in English history prior to Queen Elizabeth I. The book examines how women like Matilda, Empress Matilda; Eleanor of Aquitaine; and the 15th-century queens Margaret of Anjou and Elizabeth Woodville shaped England's political landscape through their leadership, alliances, and struggles for power. It highlights their intelligence, resilience, and often difficult challenges in a male-dominated society, offering a nuanced understanding of their significant roles in medieval and early modern English history.