Fredegonde
(Fredegunda)
d. 597  |
| FREDEGONDE WATCHING THE CORONATION OF GALSWINTHA |
Fredegonde was the queen consort of King Chilperic I, the Frankish ruler of
Soissons. Her reign was marked by several assassinations and even more
attempted murders, and she was described as sadistically cruel. Fredegonde was
originally a servant but became mistress to Chilperic I after he murdered his
first wife. She was believed to be responsible for the assassination of the
king’s half-brother Sigebert I, and she made attempts on the lives of Guntram,
the king of Burgundy; Childebert, Sigebert’s son; and Brunhilda, the sister of
the former queen. After her husband’s mysterious death, Fredegonde seized his
wealth and found sanctuary in the cathedral at Paris, where she lived with her
son until her death in 597. She earned a reputation of ruthless wickedness, and
her son began his reign in the same manner, stretching his mother’s former
enemy, Brunhilda, on the rack for three days, before having her dismembered by
four horses.
Key events during the life of Fredegonde:
| Year |
Event |
| 550 |
Born |
| 567 |
Chilperic I married Galswintha, his first wife |
| 575 |
Assassination of Sigebert I |
| 584 |
Assassination of Chilperic I |
| 597 |
Died |
| 613 |
Son Chlotar II took control of the Frankish kingdom |
Other Resources
| Contemporary |
Short Biography |
| Ethelbert |
First Christian Saxon King. Invited St. Augustine to Kent to preach in Britain. |
| Recared |
First Catholic King of the Visigoth Kingdom. |
| Maurice |
Byzantine Emperor who made an alliance with Persia. Eventually deposed and murdered. |