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These royal women took ruling into their own hands.
Catherine the Great
Catherine II of Russia was born Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst, a minor princess in a minor German principality. She was chosen by Empress Elizabeth of Russia to marry her nephew, the future Tsar Peter III. When Catherine met Peter, she was disgusted by his childishness, yet she worked to ingratiate herself with the prince, the Empress, and above all, the Russian court. Catherine became a Russophile, far more than her husband who clung to his German heritage and upbringing. Catherine converted to Orthodoxy, learned the Russian language, and did anything necessary to obtain the crown.
Paul did not consummate his relationship with Catherine after their marriage, so she sought solace with Russian nobles and diplomats. Despite their frosty relations, Catherine produced a son, Paul, who she declared was Peter’s child. After the death of Elizabeth, Peter and Catherine ascended the throne. Over the next six months, Peter became mentally unstable, obsessed with the military, and hellbent on taunting Catherine. Catherine instigated a coup against Peter, forcing him to abdicate the throne. He died soon after, officially due to a stroke, unofficially due to murder. Catherine used the precedence of another queen who assumed the throne after the death of her…
