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The Burgundians

Peoples & Kingdoms

Arian Germanic Kingdom of the Rhône-Saône Valley

Key Facts: - Ruled chiefly by King Gundobad (c. 480-516), Arian Christian - Gregory attributes to Gundobad the killing of his brother Chilperic II (Clotilde's father) - Issued the Lex Burgundionum law code

Overview: - Settled in the Rhône/Saône valleys after an earlier catastrophic defeat by Hunnic forces in 436/437 AD (root of the Nibelungenlied legend). Closely entangled with the Franks through Clotilde's marriage to Clovis.

Timeline: - 436/437 earlier kingdom destroyed; c. 480-516 Gundobad's reign; 534 (beyond this phase) conquered by Clovis's sons. Witch's Rebirth Canon: - Ch. 18 places travelers at 'the mighty Rhone River,' the Burgundian heartland.

Sources: - Gregory of Tours; Lex Burgundionum. Modern: Ian Wood, Justin Favrod.

Book I

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