Rigunth (c. 569 A.D. – after 589 A.D.), also known as Rigundis, was a Frankish princess, daughter of the Merovingian King Chilperic I and Fredegund.

Rigunth
Fredegunde tries to kill Rigunth, 1887
Bornc. 569
Diedafter 589
HouseMerovingian dynasty
FatherChilperic I
MotherFredegund

Biography

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Rigunth was the eldest child and only recorded daughter of Chilperic I and Queen Fredegund. About 583, she was betrothed to Recared, eldest son of Leovigild, King of the Visigoths. In September 584 she was sent to Spain in a convoy with a large treasure as dowry. During the journey King Chilperic died and the soldiers escorting the princess took everything they could steal and fled.[1] At Toulouse, Duke Didier seized what was left. The princess was returned to her mother in 585.[2]

She took refuge with her mother and led a life viewed as debauched. She often quarreled with her mother who failed in an attempt to kill her in 589.[3] Her date of death is unknown.

Further reading

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  • Eugen Ewig: Die Merowinger und das Frankenreich. 4. Auflage, Kohlhammer Verlag, Stuttgart 2001. ISBN 3-17-017044-9
  • Martina Hartmann: Aufbruch ins Mittelalter. Die Zeit der Merowinger. Darmstadt 2003, ISBN 3-534-15829-6.

References

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  1. ^ Grégoire de Tours, Histoire des francs, livre VI, 45; VII, 9–15 & 35.
  2. ^ Lot, Ferdinand (1948). Naissance de la France. Paris: Librairie Arthème Fayard.
  3. ^ Grégoire de Tours, Histoire des Francs, livre IX, 34.
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