Brunhilda of Austrasia

Brunhilda
Queen of Austrasia
Philippoteaux and Girardet, Die Folterung von Brunhilde.
Born	c. 543 Toledo
Died	613 (aged 69–70)
Spouse	Sigebert I of Austrasia Merovech
Issue	Ingund Chlodosind Childebert II
Dynasty	Merovingian (by marriage)
Father	Athanagild
Mother	Goiswintha
Religion	Roman Catholicism, prev. Arianism

Brunhilda (c. 543–613) was a princess of the Spanish Visigoths who married the Merovingian King Sigebert I of Austrasia, part of Francia. In her long and complicated career she ruled the eastern Frankish kingdoms of Austrasia and Burgundy for three periods as regent for her son, grandson and great-grandson. 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 bitter feud with Fredegund, who murdered Brunhilda's sister Galswintha to replace her as Queen of the Kingdom of Soissons (c. 568), lasted until Fredegund's death in 597. Fredegund had Brunhilda's husband murdered, and Brunhilda imprisoned for a period. It was continued by Fredegund's son, Clothar II, who in 613 defeated Brunhilda in battle and had her executed by being pulled apart by four horses.

Brunhilda was possibly born about 543 in the Visigothic capital of Toledo, the younger of the two daughters of Athanagild and Goiswintha. She was only eleven years old when her father was elevated to the kingship in 554. She was educated in Toledo as an Arian Christian.

In 567, she was married to King Sigebert I of Austrasia, a grandson of Clovis I, who had sent an embassy to Toledo loaded with gifts. She joined him at Metz. Upon their marriage, she converted to Catholicism.

Sigebert's father, Chlothar I, had reunited the four kingdoms of the Franks, but when he died, Sigebert and his three brothers divided them again. According to historian and bishop Gregory of Tours, Sigebert's marriage to a Visigothic princess was a criticism of his brothers' choices in wives. Instead of marrying a low-born woman, Sigebert chose a princess of education and morals.