Fredegund

(also Frédégonde). Born circa 545; died 597. Queen of Neustria from 567. Wife of the Neustrian king Chilperic I and mother of Clotaire II.

In 592, during Clotaire’s minority, Fredegund in effect assumed control of the state. She took part in the protracted, bloody struggle within the Merovingian dynasty—particularly the struggle against Brunhilda, the queen of Austrasia.