Fredegund’s Final Victory Over Brunhilda and Her Death (597 CE)

By 597 CE, Queen Fredegund of Neustria, after years of political intrigue, assassinations, and open warfare, defeats her old rival Brunhilda of Austrasia. Brunhilda had been supporting the claims of her grandsons, Theudebert II (Austrasia) and Theuderic II (Burgundy), against Fredegund’s son, Chlothar II.

Shortly after securing Neustria’s position, Fredegund dies in Paris and is buried in the Basilica of Saint Denis, leaving her thirteen-year-old son, Chlothar II, as the sole ruler of Neustria.

1. The Struggle Between Fredegund and Brunhilda

• Fredegund had long been at war with Brunhilda, seeking to secure the Frankish throne for her own lineage.
• While Brunhilda ruled Austrasia and Burgundy through her grandsons, Fredegund maneuvered politically and militarily to eliminate her influence.
• By 597, Fredegund achieves her final victory, though the war with Austrasia is far from over.

2. The Death of Fredegund and Chlothar II’s Rise to Power

• After securing Neustria’s stability, Fredegund dies in Paris.
• She is buried in the Basilica of Saint Denis, one of the first Merovingian rulers to receive this honor.
• Her thirteen-year-old son, Chlothar II, inherits the throne of Neustria and is immediately thrust into the ongoing civil war against Austrasia and Burgundy.

3. Chlothar II Prepares for War Against Austrasia

• As a young king, Chlothar II is advised by his mother’s loyalists to continue her feud with Brunhilda and her grandsons.
• Austrasia remains the primary obstacle to his ambitions, and he begins preparing for war against the eastern Frankish kingdom.
• This conflict will culminate in 613 CE, when Chlothar II captures Brunhilda and brutally executes her, marking the final victory of Neustria over Austrasia.

Conclusion: Fredegund’s Legacy and the Continued Frankish Civil War

Fredegund’s death in 597 CE does not end the Neustrian-Austrasian conflict—rather, it passes into the hands of her son, Chlothar II. Under his reign, the war escalates, leading to further bloodshed, betrayals, and the eventual downfall of Brunhilda. Fredegund’s ruthless ambition ensures that her dynasty survives, shaping the course of Merovingian politics for decades to come.