Born around 543 a.d., Brunhilda was a Visigothic princess who in 567 married the Frankish king Sigebert I, becoming the queen of Austrasia (which encompassed parts of present-day northern Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg).
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But there were some messy family relations. Her older sister, Galswintha, who had married Siebert’s half-brother Chilperic, was brutally murdered at the request of Sigebert’s mistress, Fredegund. Brunhilda launched 40 years of vicious warfare against her in revenge.
After Sigebert was assassinated by poisoned daggers circa 757 (probably on Fredegund’s orders) and Brunhilda was thrown into prison in Rouen, she managed to return to Austrasia where her young son, Childebert II, had been proclaimed king. She thus ruled as regent, essentially becoming Austrasia’s power behind the throne. Among other things, the adept leader repaired old roads, commissioned churches and abbeys, built fortifications, and restructured the army and tax system—remember, this was during the aftermath of the fallen Western Roman Empire.
When Childebert II died in 595 at age 26, Brunhilda resumed control as regent for her two grandsons. But this was no doting grandmother. Politically ruthless, she kept her favorite grandson busy with concubines so he wouldn’t marry and challenge her power.
This however, finally caught up with her. In 613, the son of her long-standing rival Fredegund accused the nearly 80-year-old queen of killing 10 Frankish kings and sentenced her to death. It is said that she was torn apart by wild horses and her remains were burned, leaving no trace of the spirited queen.