d plainly proposed, we will now return
to the Question. And as the Examples of some former Times seem to make
for the affirmative, wherein the Kingdom of _Francogallia_ has been
administered by _Queens_, especially by _Widows_ and _Queen-Mothers_: So
on the contrary, the Reason of the Argument used in Disputations, is
clearly against it. For she, who cannot be Queen in her _own Right_, can
never have any Power of Governing in another's Right: But here a Woman
cannot reign in her own Right, nor can the Inheritance of the Crown fall
to her, or any of her Descendants; and if they be stiled _Queens_ 'tis
only accidentally; as they are _Wives_ to the _Kings_ their _Husbands_.
Which we have prov'd out of Records for twelve hundred Years together.

To this may be added (which we have likewise prov'd) that nor only the
sole Power of _Creating_ and _Abdicating_ their Kings, but also the
Right of electing _Guardians_ and _Administrators_ of the Commonwealth,
was lodged in the same _Publick Council_. Nay, and after the Kings were
created, the supreme Power of the Administration was retained still by
the same _Council_. And 'tis not yet full a hundred Years since 36
Guardians of the Commonwealth were constituted by the same _Council_,
like so many _Ephori_: and this during the Reign of _Lewis_ the
_Eleventh_, as crafty and cunning as he was. If we seek for Authorities
and Examples from our Ancestors, we may find several; there is a
remarkable one in _Aimoinus_, lib. 4. cap. 1. where speaking of Queen
_Brunechild_, Mother to young _Childebert_; "The Nobility of _France_
(says he) understanding that _Brunechild_ designed to keep the chief
Management of the Kingdom in her own Hands; and having always hitherto,
for so long a Time disdained to be subject to a Female Domination, did,
&c." And indeed it has so happned in the Days of our Ancestors, that
whenever Women got into their Hands the Procuration of the Kingdom, they
have been always the Occasion of wonderful Tragedies: Of which it will
not be amiss to give some Examples. Queen _Crotildis_, Mother of the two
Kings, _Childebert_ and _Clotarius_, got once the Power into her Hands;
and being extravagantly fond of the Sons of _Clodomer_, (another of her
Sons then dead) occasion'd a great deal of Contention, by her
endeavouring to exclude her Sons, and promote these Grandsons to the
Regal Dignity; and upon that Score she nourished their _large Heads of
Hair_ with the greatest Care and Di