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 King Itzamnaaj B’ahlam III’s death.^[4] Scholars believe that she may have been queen regent and assumed a nine-year regency for her son, Yaxun B’ahlam IV.^[5] Therefore, Lady Ik’ Skull played a key role in Yaxchilan politics.^[6]

The birthdate of Lady Ik’ Skull is unknown.^[7] She was a princess of Calakmul.^[8] Her parents are unknown.^[9] Some suggest that her father may have been King Yuknoom Took’ K’awiil of Calakmul (r. 702-731).^[10] Lady Ik’ Skull was sent from Calakmul to Yaxchilan to become the secondary wife of King Itzamnaaj B’ahlam III  of Yaxchilan (r. 681-742).^[11]

During King Itzamnaaj B’ahlam III’s reign, Lady Ik’ Skull did not wield any political influence.^[12] Instead, it was Lady Xoc who wielded both political and cultural authority in Yaxchilan.^[13] She also performed many bloodletting rituals.^[14] However, Lady Xoc did not have any surviving sons.^[15] This was the reason why King Itzamnaaj B’ahlam III needed to marry Lady Ik’ Skull.^[16] Lady Ik’ Skull bore King Itzamnaaj B’ahlam III a son named Prince Yaxun B’ahlam IV (also known as Bird Jaguar IV).^[17]

On 15 June 742, King Itzamnaaj B’ahlam III of Yaxchilan died. Yaxun B’ahlam IV succeeded his father as King of Yaxchilan ten years later, on 3 May 752. Scholars have been puzzled by the ten-year gap between the two kings.^[18] However, many scholars believe that it was Lady Ik’ Skull who reigned as regent for her son, Prince Yaxun B’ahlam IV.^[19] This is because Lady Ik’ Skull bore titles that are strictly reserved for male rulers.^[20] They were “mah k’ina, k’ul ahau, and batab.”^[21] Scholars believe that it was because of her Calakmul royal blood that she was made regent during the ten-year gap.^[22] During Lady Ik’ Skull’s nine-year regency, Prince Yaxun B’ahlam IV waged war and captured elite hostages.^[23] He also produced an heir named Prince Itzamnaaj B’ahlam IV.^[24]

On 13 March 751, Lady Ik’ Skull died.^[25] On 3 May 752, Yaxun B’ahlam IV ascended the throne as King of Yaxchilan.^[26] King Yaxun B’ahlam IV erected a few commemorative stelas of Lady Ik’ Skull to honour her.^[27] This was to show that Lady Ik’ Skull was “every bit as important”^[28] as Lady Xoc.

There are very few known facts about Lady Ik’ Skull.^[29] She was a princess of Calakmul. She was a secondary wife to King Itzamnaaj B’ahlam III of Yaxchilan.^[30] She did not wield any political influence during her husband’s reign.^[31] After her husband’s death, she may have been regent because of her royal blood and was the mother of the heir apparent.^[32] Therefore, it is clear that Lady Ik’ Skull was one of the most powerful Mayan queens.^[33]

Sources:

Braswell, G. E. (2015). “Calakmul”. Encyclopedia of the Ancient Maya. (Witschey, W. R. T.,  Ed.). Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. pp. 52-56.

Goucher, C., Ed. (2022). Women Who Changed the World: Their Lives, Challenges, and Accomplishments Through History [4 Volumes]. NY: ABC-CLIO.

Inomata, T. (2008). “Women in Classic Maya Royal Courts”. Servants of the Dynasty: Palace Women in World History. (Walthall, A., Ed). Oakland, CA: University of California Press. pp.45-65.

Marcus, J. (2001). “Breaking the Glass Ceiling: The Strategies of Royal Women in Ancient States”. Gender in Pre-Hispanic America: A Symposium at Dumbarton Oaks, 12 and 13 October 1996. (Klein, C. F., Ed. & Quilter, J., Ed.) Washington, D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection. pp. 305-341.

Sand, E. (2001). Woman Ruler: Woman Rule. Lincoln, Nebraska: iUniverse.