There ruled once in _France_, _Brunechild_, Widow of King _Sigebert_, and Mother of _Childebert_. This woman had for her Adulterer a certain _Italian_, called _Protadius_, whom She advanced to great Honours: She bred up her two Sons, _Theodebert_ and _Theodorick_, in such a wicked and profligate Course of Life, that at last they became at mortal Enmity with each other: And after having had long Wars, fought a cruel single Combat. She kill'd with her own Hands her Grandson _Meroveus_, the Son of _Theodebert:_ She poysoned her Son _Theodorick_. What need we say more? _Date fraenos_ (as _Cato_ says) _impotenti naturae, & indomito animali; & sperate illas modum licentiae facturas_. She was the Occasion of the Death of Ten of the Royal Family: And when a certain Bishop reproved her, and exhorted her to mend her Life, She caused him to be thrown into the River. At last, a _Great Council_ of the _Franks_ being summoned, She was judged, and condemned, and drawn in Pieces by wild horses, being torn Limb from Limb. The Relators of this Story are, _Greg. Turonensis_, [lib. 5. cap. 39.] and [lib. 8. cap. 29.] And _Ado_ [AEtat. 6.] _Otto Frising._ [Chron. 5. Cap. 7.] _Godfridus Viterbiensis_ [Chron. parte 16.] & _Aimoinus_ [lib. 4. cap. 1.] Also the Appendix of _Gregory of Tours_, [lib. 11.] whose Words are these: "_Having convicted her of being the Occasion of the Death of Ten Kings of the_ Franks; _to wit, of_ Sigebert, Meroveus, _and his Father_ Chilperick; Theodebert, _and his Son_ Clothair; Meroveus, _the Son of_ Clothair, Theodorick, _and his three Children, which had been newly killed, they order'd her to be placed upon a Camel, and to be tortured with divers sorts of Torments, and so to be carried about all the Army; afterwards to be tied by the Hair of the Head, one Leg and one Arm to a Wild Horse's Tail; by which being kick'd, and swiftly dragg'd about, She was torn Limb from Limb._"