Introduction: ‘The Economic Power of European Queens: Sources, Resources and Expenditure'

This introductory piece for the research cluster ‘The Economic Power of European Queens: Sources, Resources and Expenditure both delineates the content of the cluster and places it in the context of wider research. The article highlights common themes among the four articles in the cluster and common issues with the survival of sources which document the economic activity of royal women. It also highlights the importance of new research which is beginning to illuminate the financial element of queenship and helping us to understand this vital, yet understudied, part of the queen’s office.