Sigebert Ier
King of the Franks · 561-575 · born in 535, died in 575
Son of Chlothar I, Sigebert I received the eastern kingdom of Austrasia in 561, with Reims as his capital. His reign was marked by rivalry with his brother Chilperic I, king of Neustria, who ravaged his territory. This was the beginning of the long feud between the two Frankish kingdoms.
He married Brunhild, daughter of the Visigothic king of Spain Athanagild, a cultured and ambitious princess. In 575, as he was taking possession of his brother’s kingdom, he was murdered by two assassins, a murder traditionally attributed to Fredegund, Chilperic’s mistress.
Dying at 40, he left a son, Childebert II, and a widow, Brunhild, who then held the regency for their young son. His descendants and those of Chilperic fed the bloodiest civil wars of the Merovingian era.
In the tree of power
- Era: Merovingians
- Predecessor: Clotaire Ier (511-561)
- Successor: Childebert II (575-596)