Fritigil

Fritigil (or Fritigils), Queen of the Marcomanni, is the last known ruler of the Germanic peoples who were at that time (mid 4th century) probably settled in Pannonia. She is alleged to have had her residence in the present Burgenland. Fritigil corresponded with Ambrose of Milan for the conversion of her people to Christianity. She convinced her husband to submit to Roman authority and the tribe fell under the power of a tribune according to the Notitia Dignitatum.

Pope John Paul II referred to Fritigil in his letter Operosam Diem:

Has quidem normas sectabatur Mediolanensis Episcopus sua etiam in catechesi, quae singulari omnino vi audientes captabat. Eam plures sunt experti. Longinqua illa regina Marcomannorum Fritigil, ipsius fama adducta, scripsit ei ut super catholica religione informaretur recepitque vicissim «epistulam ... praeclaram in modum catechismi».

Sources

• Fritigil, markomannische Königin.
• John Paul II. Operosam Diem. 1996.
• Notitia Dignitatum: [1] Latin text with pictures, from Bibliotheca Augustana.