Brunhilde The Frankish Queen of Austrasia

Not to be confused with the figure in Germanic and Icelandic mythology, also called Brunhilda, a warrior and valkyrie deceived by her lover, though that figure may borrow from the story of the Visigothic princess Brunhilde. As was typical for a womans role in a ruling family, Brunhildes fame and power came primarily because of her connections to male relatives. That doesnt mean she didnt serve an active role, including likely being behind murder. The Merovingians ruled Gaul or France -- including some areas now outside France — from the 5th century into the 8th century.  The Merovingians replaced the declining Roman powers in the area. Sources for the story of Brunhilde include History of the Franks  by Gregory of Tours and Bedes Ecclesiastic History of the English People. Also known as:  Brunhilda, Brunhild, Brunehilde, Brunechild, Brunehaut. Family Connections Father: Athanagild, Visigoth kingMother: GoiswinthaHusband: King Sigebert, Frankish king of Austrasia*Sister: Galswintha, who married Brunhildes husbands half-brother, Chilperic of Neustria*Son: Childebert II - Brunhilde served as his regentDaughter: IngundSecond husband: Merovech, son of Chilperic of Neustria and of Audovera (marriage nullified)Grandsons: Theodoric II, Theodebert IIGreatgrandson: Sigebert II Biography Brunhilde was likely born in Toledo, the main city of the Visigoths, in 545.  She was raised as an Arian Christian. Brunhilde married King Sigebert of Austrasia in 567, after which her sister Galswintha married Sigeberts half-brother, Chilperic, king of the neighboring kingdom of Neustria. Brunhilde converted to Roman Christianity upon her marriage.  Sigebert, Chilperic, and their two brothers had divided the four kingdoms of France among them — the same kingdoms their father, Chlothar I, son of Clovis I, had united. Brunhildes First Murder Scheme When Chilperics mistress, Fredegunde, engineered Galswinthas murder, and then married Chilperic, forty years of war began, reputedly at the urging of Brunhilde, anxious for revenge.  Another of the brothers, Guntram, mediated at the beginning of the dispute, awarding Galswinthas dower lands to Brunhilde. The Bishop of Paris presided over the negotiations of a peace treaty, but it didnt last long.  Chilperic invaded Sigeberts territory, but Sigebert repelled this effort and instead took over Chilperics lands. Spreading Reach and Asserting Power In 575, Fredegunde had Sigebert assassinated and Chilperic claimed Sigeberts kingdom. Brunhilde was put into prison. Then Chilperics son Merovech  by his first wife, Audovera, married Brunhilde. But their relationship was too close for church law, and Chilperic acted, capturing Merovich and forcing him to become a priest.  Merovech later had himself killed by a servant. Brunhilde asserted the claim of her son, Childebert II, and her own claim as regent. The nobles refused to support her as regent, instead supporting Sigeberts brother, Guntram, king of Burgundy and Orleans. Brunhilde left for Burgundy while her son Childebert stayed in Austrasia. In 592, Childebert inherited Burgundy when Guntram died. But Childebert then died in 595, and Brunhilde supported her grandsons Theodoric II and Theodebert II who inherited both Austrasia and Burgundy. Brunhilde continued the war with Fredegund, ruling as regent for her son, Chlotar II, after the death of Chilperic under mysterious circumstances. In 597, Fredegund died, shortly after Chlotar was able to win a victory and regain Austrasia. Scheming and Execution In 612, Brunhilde arranged for her grandson Theodoric to murder his brother Theodebert, and the next year Theodoric died, too. Brunhilde then took up the cause of her great-grandson, Sigebert II, but the nobility refused to recognize him and instead threw their support to Chlotar II. In 613, Chlotar executed Brunhilde and her great-grandson Sigebert. Brunhilde, almost 80 years old, was dragged to death by a wild horse. *Austrasia: todays northeastern France and western Germany**Neustria: todays northern France Sources Bede. Ecclesiastical History of the English People. Penguin Classics, Revised edition, Penguin Classics, May 1, 1991. Of Tours, Gregory. History of the Franks. First edition, Penguin Books, 1974.