Brunhilda of Austrasia

Brunhilda
Brunhilda
Queen consort of Austrasia
Reign	567 - December 575
Born	c. 543; Toledo
Died	613 (aged 69–70)
Spouse	Sigebert I of Austrasia; Merovech;
Issue	Ingund; Chlodosinda; Childebert II;
Father	Athanagild
Mother	Goiswintha

Brunhilda^[1] (c. 543 – 613) was queen consort of Austrasia, part of Francia, by marriage to the Merovingian king Sigebert I of Austrasia, and regent for her son, grandson and great-grandson.

In her long and complicated career she ruled the eastern Frankish kingdoms of Austrasia and Burgundy for three periods as regent for her son Childebert II from 575 until 583; her grandsons Theudebert II and Theuderic II from 595 until 599; and her great-grandson Sigebert II in 613. The period was marked by tension between the royal house and the powerful nobles vying for power.

Brunhilda was apparently an efficient ruler, but this and her forceful personality brought her into conflict with her nobles, the church, and the other Merovingians. Her history is marked by a bitter feud with the former slave Fredegund, mistress and later wife of Chilperic I of Neustria. Fredegund is said to have murdered or ordered the murder of Brunhilda's sister, Queen Galswintha (c. 568), to make herself queen. This event launched the 45-year feud which would eventually see Fredegund order the murder of Brunhilda's husband, and even have Brunhilda imprisoned for a time. Even after Fredegund's death in 597, the feud was continued by her son, Chlothar II, who in 613 defeated Brunhilda in battle and had her executed by being pulled apart by four horses.

^ Her name has many forms. Brunhilda is the German form and the most common in English. In French, she is Brunehaut, in Spanish, Brunegilda or Brunequilda. Other versions of this name include Brunilda, Brunichildis, Brunechildis, Brunichild, Brunechilde, Brunichilda, Brunhild, Brunhilde, Brünnhilde, Brünhild, Brynhild and Brynhildr. (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2004).

[1] Her name has many forms. Brunhilda is the German form and the most common in English. In French, she is Brunehaut, in Spanish, Brunegilda or Brunequilda. Other versions of this name include Brunilda, Brunichildis, Brunechildis, Brunichild, Brunechilde, Brunichilda, Brunhild, Brunhilde, Brünnhilde, Brünhild, Brynhild and Brynhildr. (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2004).

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