Editing Brunhild (section)

== Origins ==

The most popular theory about the origins of the legendary Brunhild is that she originates from two historical figures of the [[Merovingian dynasty]]: [[Brunhilda of Austrasia]], a [[Visigoths|Visigothic]] princess who married the [[Franks|Frankish]] king [[Sigebert I]], and [[Fredegund]], who was married to Sigebert's brother [[Chilperic I]]. Frankish historian [[Gregory of Tours]] blames Fredegund for Sigebert's murder in 575, after which Fredegund and Brunhild carried on a feud that lasted until 613, when Chilperic's son [[Chlothar II]] captured and killed her.{{sfn|Haymes|Samples|1996|p=22}} If this theory is correct, then Brunhild has essentially taken the role of Fredegund in the Nibelungen story while maintaining Brunhilda of Austrasia's name.{{sfn|Haymes|Samples|1996|p=22}}{{sfn|Lienert|2015|p=30}}

A less widely accepted theory locates the origins of the Brunhild figure in the story of the [[Ostrogoths|Ostrogothic]] general [[Uraias]]. Uraias's wife insulted the wife of the Ostrogothic king [[Ildibad]], and the king's wife then had Uraias murdered.{{sfn|Uecker|1972|p=38}}