18. Anne Boleyn (c. 1501-1536)
Though never a queen regnant, Anne Boleyn‘s dramatic ascent and tragic downfall greatly shaped England’s history. Her marriage to Henry VIII fueled his break with Rome, while her execution on dubious charges signaled the king’s ruthless authority. Anne’s legacy endures as both a catalyst for change and a victim of tyranny (via Historic Royal Palaces)
