28 July 2025

Queens who ruled with the sword: a lecture from the Odesa Archaeological Museum

(Oksana Hrytsiuta. Photo: Odesa Archaeological Museum)

Two of the most influential queens of the Merovingian era-Brungilde and Fredegonde-go down in history not as wives on the throne, but as tough rulers who caused almost half a century of war in the Frankish state in the 6th century. How did they do it? How did their struggle end?

Learn more in a lecture by an employee of the Odesa Archaeological Museum. Oksana Hrytsiuta will tell us how Brungilda and Fredegonde, despite the lack of formal power, became key figures in the political struggle in the Frankish state of the sixth century. She will explain how women used intrigue, intermarriage, and violence to gain power, and how these events influenced the future of Europe.

The lecture is available on Intent's YouTube channel.

Майя Птущук

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