Introduction

Abstract

This chapter defines the various roles that the queens performed in domestic and political matters. They gained respect for their support of religious and secular causes, as intercessors in criminal matters, and as supervisors in domestic issues and court administration, but they had to be careful, for fear of reprisal, not to appear too public in challenging or even supporting their husbands’ authority. In addition, this chapter investigates the distinctions between foreign and native-born queens.