1. Queen Mary I of England
Mary I’s reign in the mid-1500s is often remembered for her ferocious pursuit of Catholicism. Known as “Bloody Mary,” her name strikes fear even today due to her brutal persecution of Protestants. During her five-year rule, she oversaw the burning of over 280 people at the stake for their faith. Her zealous attempts to restore Catholicism to England after her father’s break with Rome were relentless and terrifying shares HistoryExtra.
Her regime was a dark time for religious freedom, and her heavy-handed tactics earned her a legacy of fear. Many saw her as a tyrant who was determined to erase Protestantism by any means necessary. Despite her short reign, her ruthlessness left an indelible mark on English history. Mary’s bloody actions still resonate, as she was a queen who would stop at nothing to ensure her beliefs were enforced.
2. Empress Theodora of Byzantium
Empress Theodora of the Byzantine Empire wasn’t just a powerful ruler—she was also feared for her cunning and cruelty. Rising from humble beginnings, she became one of the most influential and formidable women in the empire. Theodora is best known for her role in quashing the Nika Riots in 532, where she convinced her husband, Emperor Justinian, to take extreme action against thousands of rebels. Her orders led to the brutal execution of tens of thousands, ensuring her dominance shares BBC.
While some admired her intelligence and strength, others feared her ruthless methods. Theodora was not a queen to be crossed—she could make or break anyone who threatened her empire or her status. Her ability to manipulate, control, and eliminate threats made her one of the most fearsome leaders in history. She ruled with an iron fist, and history hasn’t forgotten her fiery reputation.
3. Queen Elizabeth I of England
Queen Elizabeth I was a master of power and politics, but she also had a dark side. Though often praised for her brilliant mind and strength, she was not above resorting to ruthless tactics to maintain her reign. She had her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots, executed after years of plotting against her. Her execution of Mary was a message to any would-be rivals: crossing Elizabeth was fatal adds PEOPLE.
Additionally, Elizabeth’s reign was marked by her fierce resistance to Spanish influence, culminating in the defeat of the Spanish Armada. Though she was a queen of diplomacy, her wrath could be unforgiving. Elizabeth’s combination of shrewd diplomacy and deadly force created a legacy that many feared to challenge. Her rule, though often celebrated, was not one where weakness could survive.
4. Empress Wu Zetian of China
Empress Wu Zetian was China’s only female emperor, and she used that power with unrelenting force. Rising from a concubine to a ruling empress, Wu Zetian was known for eliminating anyone who stood in her way, including rivals, advisors, and even her own family. She used fear and manipulation to maintain control, and her rise to power was marked by assassinations and betrayals says China Daily.
Wu was no stranger to cruelty, and her reign was filled with reports of her purging the empire of potential threats. Her ruthlessness earned her a reputation that still lingers in Chinese history. However, her strong leadership also ensured a period of prosperity for China. Though respected for her political skill, Wu Zetian’s brutal methods cemented her place as one of history’s most feared rulers.
5. Queen Ranavalona I of Madagascar
Queen Ranavalona I was infamous for her extreme and brutal methods of ruling Madagascar during the 19th century. She held an iron grip on the island, using fear to eliminate anyone who posed a threat to her authority. During her reign, she enforced strict laws and severe punishments, including forcing people to walk over hot coals as a public spectacle. Her paranoia led to mass executions and forced labor.
Her reign is remembered for its cruelty, as Ranavalona had no tolerance for dissent. Her obsession with keeping power resulted in a reign marked by bloodshed and brutality. The queen was unwavering in her refusal to yield to foreign influence and maintained a sense of absolute control. To her subjects, she was both a god and a tyrant—one whose wrath could destroy them in an instant.
6. Catherine the Great of Russia
Catherine the Great is remembered as one of Russia’s most successful rulers, but she also earned her place in history through her ruthless determination. She wasn’t afraid to eliminate her enemies, using intrigue and manipulation to ascend to the throne. After her husband, Emperor Peter III, was overthrown, Catherine ruled with a firm hand, consolidating power by executing or exiling anyone who opposed her.
Her rule was marked by territorial expansion and cultural growth, but also by her unyielding control over the Russian nobility. Catherine was not just a ruler; she was a strategist who understood the importance of fear in maintaining her empire’s stability. Despite her accomplishments, her legacy is tainted by the ruthless ways in which she kept power firmly in her hands. To defy Catherine was to risk one’s life.
7. Queen Isabella I of Castile
Queen Isabella I of Castile is remembered for her strong leadership and the unification of Spain, but her methods were undeniably harsh. Perhaps most notorious for her role in the Spanish Inquisition, Isabella authorized the torture and execution of thousands of Jews, Muslims, and heretics in her quest to enforce Catholic orthodoxy. She saw the Inquisition as a necessary tool to protect Spain from religious threats and was willing to pay any price for it.
Isabella’s reign was one of relentless persecution, and her willingness to use fear as a means of control left a lasting impact. Her desire to rid Spain of “infidels” led to the mass expulsion of Jews and Muslims from the kingdom. Though she is credited with shaping Spain into a powerful nation, her ruthless actions continue to provoke debate. For those who lived under her rule, defying Isabella meant facing the full force of her terrifying authority.
8. Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom
Queen Victoria’s rule over the British Empire was marked by both global expansion and unyielding control. While she may not have been as outwardly violent as some other rulers, her determination to maintain the British Empire’s dominance led to brutal colonial policies. In India, for example, her reign saw the suppression of rebellions with ruthless military force.
Though she was often seen as a figurehead of stability, Victoria’s policies left a trail of suffering for many of her colonies. She enforced a strict code of conduct, demanding loyalty and submission from her subjects. Victoria’s reign was one of strict discipline, and her influence ensured that any resistance was met with swift and severe punishment. Her ruthless tactics ensured the prosperity of the British Empire but also caused untold suffering in its wake.
9. Cleopatra VII of Egypt
Cleopatra VII was one of history’s most famous rulers, and she earned her notoriety through a combination of political savvy and ruthlessness. Though known for her beauty and intelligence, Cleopatra was a fierce leader who was not afraid to eliminate those who posed a threat to her power. She had her brother, who was co-ruler of Egypt, killed in order to secure her position on the throne.
Her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony were not just romantic; they were part of her strategy to maintain Egypt’s dominance. Cleopatra used fear and manipulation to ensure that she was always in control, whether through alliances or by silencing those who opposed her. While she was a capable leader, she was equally skilled at making her enemies disappear when they became liabilities.
10. Queen Agrippina the Younger of Rome
Queen Agrippina the Younger was a cunning and ruthless ruler in ancient Rome. As the mother of Emperor Nero, she exercised a significant amount of power and used it to manipulate and control the Roman Empire’s politics. Agrippina was feared for her ability to maneuver and eliminate anyone who stood in her way, including family members. She had her husband, Emperor Claudius, poisoned so her son could take the throne.
Her influence over Nero was immense, but as he grew older, Agrippina found herself no longer needed. Nero turned on her, and in a brutal act of betrayal, ordered her execution. Agrippina’s life was one of ambition and manipulation, with her ruthless actions ensuring her dominance until the very end. Her ability to control the most powerful men in Rome made her both feared and respected.
11. Queen Amina of Zazzau
Queen Amina of Zazzau, one of the most formidable female warriors in history, ruled in what is now northern Nigeria in the 16th century. She expanded her kingdom through a series of fierce military campaigns, often leading her troops into battle herself. Known for her strategic brilliance, Amina’s name was feared throughout West Africa for her relentless expansion and the ruthlessness with which she dealt with her enemies. Her soldiers were known for their advanced weaponry and aggressive tactics.
Amina also fortified her kingdom’s borders, building a series of walls to protect her people from invaders. Her reign marked a period of strength and prosperity for Zazzau, but her aggressive approach left no room for mercy. Many neighboring kingdoms learned to fear her, not only for her military prowess but for her ability to crush any threat without hesitation. Her legacy as a warrior queen and conqueror remains a symbol of strength and unyielding power.