Images

A conversation between King Guntram I of Orléans (r. 561-592) and his nephew and heir King Childebert II of Austrasia (r. 575-596), artwork by Jean Fouquet from the manuscript Grandes Chroniques de France (Français 6465, fol. 45v.), c. 1455...

Gundovald Ballomer is killed for his treason, after being besieged by an army send by King Guntram I of Orléans (r. 561-592), illustration from a 15th-century manuscript by an unknown author. National Library of France, Paris.

A tremissis bearing the effigy of Guntram I of Orléans (r. 561-592), minted at Chalon-sur-Saône. National Library of France

The Judgement of King Chilperic I, a depiction of Chilperic (r. 561-584) at the trial of Bishop Prætextatus of Rouen, as described by Gregory of Tours in Book V of his History of the Franks. Painting by Jean-Paul Laurens, 19th century.

A 19th-century imagined portrait of King Chilperic I of Neustria (l. c. 539-584), oil on canvas by Atala Stamaty, Madame Augustin Varcollier, 1837. Palace of Versailles.

Gregory of Tours is forced to listen to the bad poetry of King Chilperic I (r. 561-584) of Neustria. Illustratuon by Jean-Paul Laurensfor the work of Augustin Thierry, Récits des temps mérovingiens (Paris, 1881).

Queen Galswinth, wife of King Chilperic I of Neustria (r. 561-584) is strangled in her bed by a servant, while Chilperic himself looks on. Painting probably by Eugène Philastre, 1846. Museum of Soissons.

Chilperic I (r. 561-584) strangles his wife, Queen Galswinth, in her bed. Illustration from the Grandes Chroniques de France, between 1375-1380. National Library of France, Paris.

Death of Clodobert, the young son of King Chilperic I and Queen Fredegund. Clodobert and his brother Dagobert died of dysentery in 580, depriving Chilperic of suitable heirs. Chilperic and Fredegund are depicted praying as their son lies...

The assassination of King Sigebert I of Austrasia in 575, probably on the orders of Queen Fredegund of Nuestria. Illustration from the Grandes Chroniques de France, FR 2813 fol. 33v, c. 1375-1380. Bibliothèque nationale de France.