The Vigil of Brunhild: A Narrative Poem

"The Vigil of Brunhild: A Narrative Poem" by Frederic Manning is a poem that tells the sorrowful story of Queen Brunhild, dealing with themes of love and power intertwined with the difficulties of destiny. Set in medieval times, the poem recounts Brunhild's life as she awaits her execution, recalling her past triumphs and mistakes. Through her conversations with a priest, she remembers her path to becoming a queen, her problematic marriage to King Sigebert, and her struggles against the deceitful Fredegonde. As Brunhild thinks about her life, she faces her wrongdoings and accepts her fate, resulting in accepting death. The poem creates a strong image of a woman whose ambitions and personal fights occur amid the massive powers of history and her end.