Galswintha facts for kids

Galswintha (born 540, died 568) was a queen in a kingdom called Neustria. She was the daughter of Athanagild, who was the Visigothic king of Hispania (which is now Spain and Portugal). Her mother was Goiswintha. Galswintha was also the sister of Brunhilda, who became Queen of Austrasia. Galswintha married Chilperic I, a king from the Merovingian family in Neustria. Sadly, Galswintha was likely murdered because Chilperic's former partner, Fredegund, wanted her gone. This terrible event started a long war that lasted 40 years among the Merovingian kingdoms.

Galswintha's Story

Chilperic I was a Merovingian king who ruled Neustria from 561 to 584. His kingdom was smaller than his brother Sigebert's, but it was richer. Important cities like Paris, Tours, and Rouen were part of Neustria.

Chilperic wanted to marry Galswintha. This was after his brother, King Sigebert, had married Galswintha's sister, Brunhilda. Usually, Merovingian kings married women who were not from noble families.

Galswintha was the daughter of King Athanagild, the Visigothic king. At first, Galswintha and her father did not want her to marry a king from the northern Frankish lands. The Visigoths thought the Franks were not as civilized.

A Royal Marriage

Despite her mother's sadness, Galswintha had to leave her family. Her father, Athanagild, agreed to the marriage. This was probably because Chilperic promised him control over some lands.

Once the marriage was set, Galswintha began her journey. She was escorted by important people and warriors from both the Goths and the Franks. Her trip took her across the Pyrenees mountains. She traveled through cities like Narbonne, Carcassonne, Poitiers, and Tours. Finally, she arrived in Rouen, where the wedding would take place.

Chilperic made a grand show for her arrival. His army even knelt before her as she stepped off the ship in Rouen.

Gifts and Betrayal

Soon after they were engaged, between 566 and 567, Chilperic gave Galswintha several cities as a gift. These included Limoges, Bordeaux, Cahors, Bearn, and Bigorre.

According to a historian named Gregory of Tours, Chilperic supposedly loved Galswintha "dearly." However, this was likely because she brought a very large dowry (wealth given by the bride's family).

Chilperic had a former partner named Fredegund. Even though Chilperic promised Galswintha and her father that he would follow Visigothic marriage rules (which did not allow other partners), Fredegund continued to visit the king's private rooms. Galswintha was very upset about this.

Chilperic was still in love with Fredegund. He allowed himself to be influenced by her and had his wealthy wife, Galswintha, murdered. Some historians think Galswintha might have been killed because Chilperic feared she would leave him and take her dowry with her. After Galswintha's death, the lands Chilperic had given her went to her sister, Brunhilda.

A Long Conflict Begins

Just three days after Galswintha was murdered, Chilperic married Fredegund. Galswintha's death made her sister Brunhilda very angry. It also turned Chilperic's brother Sigebert (Brunhilda's husband) against Chilperic and Fredegund.

This started a long conflict that lasted for forty years between the Frankish kingdoms of Austrasia and Neustria. It was like a civil war among the Merovingian family. Even when Chilperic was murdered in 584, Brunhilda's anger did not go away. The conflict continued until Fredegund died in 597. This long feud caused problems for three generations of the Merovingian family. It also led to the deaths of ten kings from their family line.

Galswintha is still listed in family trees today. These charts show the connections between the Visigothic kingdoms and the Byzantine Empire.

Commemoration in Verse

A poet from a long time ago, Venantius Fortunatus, wrote a long poem (Carmina VI.5) to honor Galswintha. This poem was like a tribute, showing her as a very good person. It also said that the betrayal and murder in Chilperic's kingdom were wrong in the eyes of God.

See also

In Spanish: Galswinta para niños