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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 7, 20. How She Sent an Emissary to Kill Brunhild
When Queen Fredegund was thus withdrawn to the aforesaid domain she was very sad at heart, because much of her power was now taken from her. Yet did she deem herself the better woman than Brunhild, and secretly dispatched a cleric of her household to ensnare and slay that queen. He was to introduce himself by craft into her household, obtain her trust, and strike her down by stealth. The cleric went, and won favour in the queen’s eyes, saying: ‘I come, flying from before the face of Queen Fredegund, and seek thy protection.’ He began by showing himself humble to all, endearing himself as the obedient and trusty servant of the queen. But not long afterwards they detected him as one sent on a treacherous errand. He was bound and flogged till he confessed the whole matter, then permitted to return to his patroness. But when he revealed to her how things had fallen out, and how he had failed to do her will, Fredegund punished him by having his hands and feet cut off.