Queenship, intrigue and blood-feud: deciphering the causes of the Merovingian civil wars, 561-613
Brandon Taylor Craft
The Frankish civil wars of AD 561-613 were a series devastating encounters involving the four sons Chlothar I and their descendants. While no party was guiltless during this period, modern scholars have tended to focus on two prominent Queens, Brunhild Austrasia Fredegund Neustria, possibility blood-feud between families. King Sigibert married because he believed she worthy king, unlike many wives his brothers taking. One these women Fredegund, who Chilperic Neustria. is often blamed for assassination Galswinth, Brunhild’s sister, even though more likely culprit. This murder what believe started families, which both queens integral in prosecuting. Even figures throughout bella civilia, it apparent that majority conflict erupted period centered partition I’s kingdom 561. Furthermore, impact nobility, bishops, armies kingdoms promoting prolonging war largely ignored by scholars. thesis will argue cannot simply be reduced machinations or Instead, far complex finding origins varying from scheming nobles greed common soldier.