BRUNHILDA (Brunechildis), queen of Austrasia (d. 613), was a daughter of Athanagild, king of the Visigoths. In 567 she was asked in marriage by Sigebert, who was reigning at Metz. She now abjured Arianism and was converted to the orthodox faith. Chilperic, brother of Sigebert, and king of the west Frank ish kingdom, jealous of the renown which this marriage brought to his elder brother, married Brunhilda's sister, but soon assassi nated her at the instigation of his mistress Fredegond. Sigebert was anxious to avenge his sister-in-law, but accepted the com pensation offered by Chilperic, namely the cities of Bordeaux, Cahors and Limoges, with Beam and Bigorre.
This treaty did not prevent war soon again breaking out be tween Sigebert and Chilperic. So long as her husband lived, Brun hilda played a secondary part, but having been made captive by Chilperic after her husband's assassination (575), she escaped, after a series of extraordinary adventures, by means of a marriage with Merovech, the son of her conqueror. From this time on, she took the lead; in Austrasia she opposed the nobles, who wished to govern in the name of her son Childebert II. ; but she was worsted and had to seek refuge in Burgundy. After the death of Childe bert II. (S97) she aspired to govern Austrasia and Burgundy in the name of her grandsons Theudebert and Theuderich II. She was expelled from Austrasia, and then stirred up Theuderich II. against his brother, whom he defeated and put to death. Theu derich II. died shortly after this victory, and Brunhilda caused one of her great-grandchildren to be proclaimed king. The nobles of Austrasia and Burgundy, however, summoned Clotaire II., son of Fredegond, to help them against the queen. Brunhilda was given up to him, and put to death (613) .
Brunhilda seems to have had political ideas and to have wished to attain to the royal power. She was a protectress of the Church, and Pope Gregory I. (590-6o4) addressed a series of letters to her, in which he showered praises upon her. She took it upon herself, however, to supervise the bishoprics and monasteries, and came into conflict with Columban, abbot of Luxeuil.