Publication Date: October 11, 2023
By the sixth century, the Roman Empire is already lost to tribal invasions, brutal Merovingian Franks have seized Gaul from the civilized Romanized Visigoths, and a dark age has descended across Europe. Now a deadly rivalry arises between two Merovingian queens. Brunhilda and Fredegunda are equals in beauty and intelligence, but opposite in vision and temperament. When the Franks demand a royal bride, Visigoth Brunhilda marries into a world that despises women. Suddenly thrust into power and repeatedly facing loss and grief, she seeks to revive a new Rome based on justice and prosperity. Her implacable foe, Fredegunda, is a former slave concubine who lives only for personal power. Insanely jealous of high-born Brunhilda, she uses seduction, assassination, war, and even witchcraft in her campaign to destroy her. Can Brunhilda survive this onslaught of evil? Can her vision survive?
If there is one word to describe the sixth century, it would have to be “war.” As the Roman Empire was losing its power, the Merovingian dynasty ruled in Gaul.
Interestingly enough, the time period also saw females coming to the forefront, earning a prominent spot in history for their roles. Two of those are highlighted in The War Queens by Rebecca Hazell.
Brunhilda, for all intents and purposes, is portrayed as the “good” queen. Her marriage, although arranged, evolves into a love match. She also converts to Catholicism as a condition for her marriage.
Meanwhile, a young peasant girl schemes her way into the bed of a neighboring king. Fredegunda trades her body as currency, eventually managing to marry the king. She’s the epitome of evil, creating scandal and leaving a trail of poisoned bodies behind her.
The battle between the women began in earnest when Fredegunda, while still serving as King Chilperic’s mistress, arranged the murder of his new wife, Brunhilda’s sister. This began an endless campaign of revenge between the two that embroiled their children and grandchildren.
Rich with historical detail, the author adds fictional elements to fill in gaps as needed. The brutality of the time period is well documented.
The War Queens sheds light on two women who played a vital role in shaping the sixth-century political landscape.
Rebecca Hazell is a writer and artist whose nonfiction books for children garnered awards and critical praise, and were optioned for a television series. Her historical trilogy-The Grip of God, Solomon’s Bride, and Consolamentum-is still in print after more than a decade. Before entering the world of books, she created educational materials for high schools that were used across the United States. She lives on Vancouver Island with her husband; her grown children and sister live nearby.
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