Note 89 — Chapter I

Fredegonda was first Chilperic’s concubine, subsequently, after the murder of Galsuintha, his wife. After a career of blood and crime, of which history affords but few parallels, she died in 579, at the height of prosperity and power, tranquilly in her bed, properly shriven, of course, and with a promise of paradise. Had the female monster been but a little more liberal to the Church, who knows but the Calendar of the Saints might contain an additional name.