lady Ik' skull
Lady Xoc

Lady Ik’ Skull – The possible Mayan Queen regent of Yaxchilan

Lady Ik’ Skull (also known as Lady Eveningstar) has been considered one of the most influential Mayan queens.[1] She was the secondary wife of King Itzamnaaj B’ahlam III of Yaxchilan.[2] She has been largely overshadowed by Lady Xoc (King Itzamnaaj B’ahlam III’s principal wife and queen).[3] However, scholars believe that Lady Ik’ Skull played a major role after [read more]
Empress Wang as portrayed by Nancy Wu
China

Empress Wang of the Tang Dynasty – Emperor Xuanzong’s childless deposed Empress

(Not to be confused with Empress Wang – Emperor Goazong’s First Empress) Empress Wang was the first empress of Emperor Xuanzong. She married him when he was the Prince of Linzhi. However, Empress Wang’s reign as empress was very uneasy.[1] She was childless and could not give Emperor Xuanzong a son.[2] Empress Wang’s barrenness would ultimately lead [read more]
He Saifei as Empress Zhenshun
China

Empress Zhenshun – Empress Wu Zetian’s great-niece who killed three of her stepsons

Empress Zhenshun was one of the most notorious empresses of the Tang Dynasty.[1] She was originally an imperial consort of Emperor Xuanzong and was made his posthumous empress.[2] She was also the grand-niece of Empress Wu Zetian.[3] She has been considered to be just as “cunning and treacherous”[4] as her great-aunt. She ruthlessly killed three of her stepsons [read more]