Galswintha

Galswintha, also written Galswinthe, (c. 540 – 568) was a queen consort of Neustria (a western part of Francia, now a large part of the north of modern France). She was the daughter of Athanagild, theVisigothic king of Hispania (the Iberian Peninsula, comprising modern Spain and Portugal), and Goiswintha. Galswintha was the sister of Brunhilda—queen consort of Austrasia—and the wife of Chilperic I, the Merovingian king of Neustria. Galswintha was probably murdered at the urging of Chilperic's former concubine Fredegund (and then later wife), instigating a 40-year civil war within the Merovingian kingdom. Merovingian king, Chilperic I (561–584), ruled over Neustria, which despite being less extensive in total land than that presided over by his brother, King Sigebert I, was wealthier since the cities of Paris, Tours and Rouen all fell under its purview. Chilperic sought Galswintha's hand in marriage after Sigebert married the noblewoman, Brunhilda (Galswintha's sister), a union that violated the Merovingian tradition of seeking the hand of a lowborn woman instead. Galswintha—daughter of the Visigothic king, Athanagild—was not initially in favor of being betrothed to a northern Frankish king nor was her father, as the Visigoths considered the Franks barbarians. To the dismay of her mother, Galswintha was ultimately forced to part with her family on her father Athanagild's insistence, who conceded to the marriage. This was likely due to the territorial enticements promised by Chilperic. Once the marriage was agreed, Galswintha was sent away; her escort to Chilperic's side consisted of nobles and warriors from among both the Goths and Franks.