Chilperic I and the Murder of Galswintha:…

568 CE

Chilperic I and the Murder of Galswintha: The Origins of the Frankish Civil War (568 CE Onward)

Chilperic I, the son of Chlothar I and Aregund, initially received the poorest portion of the Frankish kingdom—Soissons—upon his father’s death in 561 CE. However, after the death of his brother Charibert in 567/568, he gains the best part of Charibert’s lands, greatly expanding his domain and effectively forming what will later be known as Neustria.

This territorial expansion intensifies his rivalry with his half-brother Sigebert I, ruler of Austrasia, eventually leading to four decades of brutal warfare between their respective kingdoms.

1. The Fatal Marriages: From Audovera to Galswintha to Fredegund

Chilperic’s Early Relationships

Chilperic had originally been married to Audovera, with whom he had children.
However, he took Fredegund, a former slave, as his concubine, setting the stage for later intrigue and bloodshed.

The Marriage to Galswintha (567 CE)

Wanting a high-status alliance, Chilperic seeks to match his brother Sigebert, who had married Brunhilda, the daughter of Visigothic King Athanagild of Spain.
He repudiates Audovera and dismisses Fredegund to marry Brunhilda’s sister, Galswintha.
However, Galswintha’s marriage to Chilperic is short-lived—she soon tires of his treatment and threatens to return to Spain.

The Murder of Galswintha and the Return of Fredegund (568 CE)

One morning, Galswintha is found strangled in her bed—the victim of an apparent assassination.
Just days after her death, Chilperic marries Fredegund, his former concubine.
Fredegund, a highly ambitious and ruthless figure, is widely believed to have orchestrated Galswintha’s murder.

2. The Outbreak of War Between Austrasia and Neustria

Sigebert I of Austrasia, already hostile toward Chilperic, takes his sister-in-law’s murder as a personal affront.
Encouraged by Brunhilda, who seeks vengeance for her sister, Sigebert launches a series of campaigns against Chilperic.
This conflict sparks a civil war between Austrasia and Neustria, a bitter struggle that lasts for four decades.

3. The Blood Feud Between Fredegund and Brunhilda

Brunhilda, determined to avenge her sister’s death, becomes a key political figure in Austrasia.
Fredegund, now Queen of Neustria, emerges as her greatest rival, wielding ruthless political power through assassinations and intrigue.
This generational conflict between Brunhilda and Fredegund extends beyond their lifetimes, engulfing their descendants in a brutal power struggle.

4. The Legacy of Chilperic’s Actions

The murder of Galswintha and the ensuing war between Neustria and Austrasia lead to four decades of Merovingian instability.
Chilperic’s violent and unstable reign culminates in his own assassination in 584 CE, allegedly orchestrated by his enemies.
Fredegund continues to rule Neustria as regent for her son, Chlothar II, keeping the war with Brunhilda alive.
The conflict finally ends in 613 CE, when Brunhilda is captured and brutally executed by Fredegund’s son, Chlothar II.

Conclusion: The Beginning of a Frankish Blood Feud

The murder of Galswintha not only sparks a dynastic war but also creates one of the most infamous feuds in Merovingian history. Chilperic’s ruthless ambition, combined with Fredegund’s relentless cunning, ensures that the Frankish realm remains divided and bloodied for generations, marking the Merovingian dynasty as one of the most treacherous and violent royal families in medieval Europe.