17. Queen Christina of Sweden (1626-1689)
Christina’s father wanted to make sure his daughter was tough enough to rule, and so gave
her a ‘masculine’ upbringing: her favorite childhood hobby was bear-hunting. Christina assumed the throne at age 18, but abdicated
only ten years later under increasing pressure to marry and produce an heir. Instead, she left Sweden dressed as a man, a practice
she continued on and off for the rest of her life. She converted to Catholicism and moved to Rome, where she received special permission
to dress in men’s clothing. She is one of only two women ever buried in St Peter’s Church in Rome.
