Religion and politics were deeply intertwined in the lives of medieval queens, shaping their identities and influence. Many queens were defined by their devotion to God, serving as exemplars of the ideal queen and woman, with their piety symbolizing moral and political virtue. A queen played a pivotal role in the kingdom’s stability by bearing heirs and ensuring the royal lineage's continuity. The responsibility of having heirs granted queens significant political and symbolic influence. Their role was deeply intertwined with the values of Christianity and ideals of purity, which were seen as essential attributes for an influential queen and woman of the Middle Ages. As a result, queens became central figures not only in dynastic succession but also in shaping the moral and political identity of the kingdom. Helena and Brunhild, two influential queens of the Middle Ages shaped the political landscape through their roles as mothers of heirs. Helena, who lived until around 330 BC, is depicted as a devout mother, embodying the ideal qualities of a queen. Brunhild, who lived between the 500s and 600s, is portrayed as a manipulative figure who believes herself to be above Christ and abuses those who defy her demands. Regardless of the differences in their portrayals, they were both queens who were either feared or respected, being a woman during this era comes with its challenges.
Helena is seen as an embodiment of the ideal mother and queen. This was because she promoted Christian ideals; she was modest and supported her son Constantine. Saint Ambrose, in his funeral oration for the emperor Theodosius, praised Helena and her devotion to Christ and her son Constantine. Ambrose writes: “By her son’s command, she sought the aid of divine favor so that he might take part safely, even in battles, and not fear danger” (325). She is perceived as a loving mother who utilizes her faith to protect her son. In other narratives that discuss Helena, she is portrayed as imperial, adorned in regal robes, and minted on coins; however, this narrative presents her as a gracious hostess. The lesson of her rise from poverty to wealth mirrors the Christian belief in transformation, much like the story of Mary, who gave birth to Jesus. Helena within this narrative serves as a parallel to Mary, embodying the notion that one can transcend one's humble beginnings. While she holds imperial status, her authority is more aligned with spiritual royalty than temporal power. As Ambrose writes, “The Cross of the Lord restrained them and recalled them from their fall into wickedness. It raised their eyes that they might look toward heaven and seek Christ,” (330). Helena used this spiritual royalty to tame the wildness of emperors, guiding rulers to align with the will of the Church.
Another notorious queen, Brunhild, was also depicted as a devoted mother and grandmother. However, unlike Helena, she was not portrayed as having a strong devotion to Christianity. Instead, she wielded manipulation and cruelty to assert her authority and power. Contemporary sources report that Brunhild converted to Catholicism, was a mother to sons, and became a widow. After her husband's death, she was exiled from her kingdom. To regain her influence, Brunhild relied on her grandchildren as a means of reclaiming power. It can be argued that queens in the Middle Ages gained power primarily through religion, marriage, and, most significantly, motherhood. These were a few key avenues for wealthy women to establish authority, as few other opportunities during this era existed to define a queen's power.
Despite Brunhild’s exile and then her reconnection with her grandchildren, she became a commanding presence, using her grandchildren as instruments of control, favoring one grandchild in particular to manipulate familial dynamics. When Columbanus, an Irish monk, refused to bless her illegitimate grandchildren, she retaliated by persecuting monasteries, showcasing her vindictive nature. Persecuting religious monasteries in retaliation for a monk’s refusal to comply with her demands reveals a profound departure from any genuine religious or moral framework. It underscores her capacity to exploit authority and blatantly defy religious doctrines that constrain rulers from engaging in unethical actions. Ultimately, Brunhild's ruthless tactics and disregard for religious norms contributed to her downfall, as she was captured, publicly humiliated, and executed brutally, marking a tragic end to her reign.
Brunhild is portrayed as placing herself above the highest authority, i.e. God, in contrast to Helena, whose mission was to remind kings of their subordination to divine power. While each queen’s approach to religion and faith differs, they share an identity as women, mothers, and imperial figures. Both Helena and Brunhild retained power through their lineage, and it was likely that their roles as mothers allowed them to wield influence, particularly after the deaths of their husbands. However, their methods of exercising power and their reverence for faith sharply diverged. Importantly, in the Middle Ages, a woman’s status was often tied to her connection to a male figure. Though their actions are subject to judgment and criticism, it is crucial to consider the unique challenges they faced, many of which were not documented, before passing judgment.
Works Cited
Ambrose and Gregory Nazianzen, Funeral Orations. Catholic University of America Press, 1953.
Queen Brunhild: A Dossier of Contemporary Source, ed. Sean Gilsdorf.
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