Brunhilda

Brunhilda, (1) in the epic poem, the Nibelungenlied, the Queen of Iceland, and instigator through jealousy of the murder of her former lover Sigurd. (2) Wife of Sigebert, King of Austrasia. She, as regent for her grandsons, Theodebert II., King of Austrasia, and Theodoric II., King of Burgundy, at the beginning of the 7th century, shared with Fredegond, the former mistress of the King of Neustria, and regent for the young Clotaire II., and Brunhilda's later rival, in the ruling of the whole Frankish world. In 613 she was overthrown by the Austrasian nobility and put to death.