34. Jeanne d’Albret (Jeanne the Queen!)

Jeanne refused . . . that is all. We’ve discussed the French Wars of religion through Catherine de Medici’s own story and that of the Catholics. Now let’s flip it and reverse it, taking a look at the conflict through Jeanne d’Albret Queen of Navarre’s eyes and the side of the Protestants. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed! From an 11-year-old bride kicking and screaming down the aisle to the obstinate Queen of Navarre with an alliance and marriage offer for her son that sounds a little too good to be true. And through it all Jeanne refused to be anything other than the headstrong political leader of the Huguenots.