Brunhilde
Born around 545 AD, Brunhilde was the
wife of King Sigebert of Austrasia (Now northeastern France and western
Germany) whom she married in 567.
When Sigebert was assassinated in 575, Brunhilde pushed for her son Childebert II to inherit the kingdom, a
plan that was thwarted by the nobles. Her son eventually inherited
Burgundy before he died, and Brunhilde then supported her grandsons to
eventually inherit both Burgundy and Austrasia. As the struggle for
power grew more complicated, it is said that Brunhilde had one of her
grandsons murder the other before championing the cause of her
great-grandson Sigebert II.
The nobles refused to acknowledge her
claims and appointed Chlotar II as king. Chlotar promptly executed both
Brunhilde and Sigebert II in 613. Brunhilde was tied to the back of a
wild horse and was literally torn apart as she was dragged across the
ground.