18 Facts About Fredegund

Fredegund served as regent during the minority of her son Chlothar II from 584 until 597.

Fredegund has traditionally been given a rather poor reputation, foremost by the accounts of Gregory of Tours, who depicts her as ruthlessly murderous and sadistically cruel, and she is known for the many stories of her cruelty, particularly for her long feud with her sister-in-law queen Brunhilda of Austrasia.

Fredegund was born into a low-ranking family but gained power through her association with King Chilperic.

Originally a servant of Chilperic's first wife Audovera, Fredegund won Chilperic's affection and persuaded him to put Audovera in a convent and divorce her.

When Samson survived longer than expected, Fredegund relented and had him baptized according to the King's wishes.

Fredegund was jealous of her own daughter, Rigunth, who continually declared that she should be mistress in her place.

Fredegund waited her opportunity and under the pretense of magnanimity took her to the treasure-room and showed her the King's jewels in a large chest.

Fredegund asserted that all the gifts had come out of property amassed by her husband's generosity.

Fredegund had him beaten, chained, and jailed along with the cooks and bakers who accompanied him on the journey.

Fredegund stopped short of killing him due to his political status in the region.

Newly widowed, Fredegund attempted to seduce the Neustrian official Eberulf but was ultimately rejected.

However, the Bishop was not concerned because he believed he would receive his reward in heaven, whereas Fredegund would be punished in hell.

In 586, Fredegund ordered the assassination of Praetextatus and had one of her agents stab him during Easter Mass.

Fredegund later conducted assassination plots against a number of political officials who condemned the assassination, including the Bishop of Bayeux and King Guntram.

Fredegund did not live to see it, but her son's execution of Brunhilda bore the mark of her conflict with Fredegund.

Fredegund's body was dragged through the bushes and brambles, over hills and dales, so that it was torn to pieces, limb from limb.

For example, Bishop Leudovald whom Fredegund is mentioned to have targeted for assassination after the plot against Praetextatus succeeded for fear that Leudovald would find out and expose her.

Fredegund likely hoped that having such a stark comparison would serve as an endorsement of Brunhild and justify his political relationship with her.