From Elizabeth I of England to Isabella I of Castile, many of the most memorable rulers across Europe over the last 500 years have been female.

But far from being wallflowers, a new study suggests that these female rulers may have been feistier than their male counterparts.

Researchers found that over the past 500 years, queens have been more likely to wage war than male rulers – and were more likely to win new territory.

From Elizabeth I of England to Isabella I of Castile, many of the most memorable rulers across Europe over the last 500 years have been females. Pictured is an artist's impression of Elizabeth I riding into Tilbury camp on hearing the news of the coming of the Spanish Armada

A team of researchers from the University of Chicago studied the European rulers between 1480 and 1913.

Their findings suggest that Europe's queens were 27 per cent more likely than its kings to wage war.

And married queens were found to be especially war-like.

For example, Isabella I of Castile launched the rise of Spain as the first global superpower in 1476, leading to the country's dominance of Europe for more than a century.

Queen Isabella proved her abilities as a powerful ruler on her own, riding to Segovia when rebellion broke out to negotiate with rebels.

Queen Isabella proved her abilities as a powerful ruler on her own, riding to Segovia when rebellion broke out to negotiate with rebels (artist's impression)

FAMOUS FEMALE RULERS Elizabeth I of England The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 has long been held as one of England's greatest military achievements. The successful defence of the kingdom against invasion on such an unprecedented scale boosted the prestige of Queen Elizabeth I and encouraged a sense of English pride and nationalism. Isabella I of Castile Isabella I of Castile launched the rise of Spain as the first global superpower in 1476, leading to the country's dominance of Europe for more than a century. Queen Isabella proved her abilities as a powerful ruler on her own, riding to Segovia when rebellion broke out to negotiate with rebels. She was successful, and the rebellion was quickly brought to a standstill. Boudicca Boudicca was the Celtic Queen of the Iceni tribe of modern-day East Anglia, who led a revolt against Rome in 60/61 CE. The revolt left the ancient Roman cities of Camulodunum, Londinium and Verulamium in ruins and over 80,000 Roman citizens of Britain dead. Catherine II of Russia Catherine II, often called Catherine the Great, became the Russian empress in 1762. Under her reign, Russia expanded its territories and modernized, following the lead of Western Europe. Advertisement

She was successful, and the rebellion was quickly brought to a standstill.

And Catherine II of Russia, who is often called Catherine the Great, led Russia as it expanded its territories and modernised in 1762.

The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 has long been held as one of England's greatest military achievements.

Queen Maria Theresa (pictured right) successfully defended her rule over most of the Habsburg empire, while Queen Mary of Burgundy (pictured left) relied heavily on her husband Maximilian for leading successful military campaigns against the French

The successful defence of the kingdom against invasion on such an unprecedented scale boosted the prestige of Queen Elizabeth I and encouraged a sense of English pride and nationalism.

WHY WERE FEMALES MORE LIKELY TO GO TO WAR? The researchers believe that the territorial success of female rulers was largely down to their style of management. Married queens – who were especially war-like – often waged war alongside their allies, and tended to get their husbands to help them rule. And while husbands managed the state, queens were left in charge of foreign and war policy. Advertisement

In their paper, published in the US National Bureau of Economic Research, the researchers, led by Ms Oeidrilla Dube and Mr S P Harish, wrote: 'A common perspective posits that women are less violent than men, and therefore states led by women will be more peaceful than states led by men.'

The researchers believe that the territorial success of female rulers was largely down to their style of management.

Married queens – who were especially war-like – often waged war alongside their allies, and tended to get their husbands to help them rule.

And while husbands managed the state, queens were left in charge of foreign and war policy.

The researchers wrote: 'Greater division of labour under queenly reigns could have enabled queens to pursue more aggressive war policies.'

The researchers add that queens did not simply wage war to follow the decisions of their husbands.

Instead, they looked at 'solo queens' whose spouses didn't hold the title of co-regent, and found that they were just as aggressive warmongers as others.