Neustria
 |
Neustria & Austrasia |
The territory of
Neustria originated in
511, made up of the regions from
Aquitaine to the
English Channel, approximating most of the north of present-day
France, with
Paris and
Soissons as its main cities. Thus Neustria formed the western part of the kingdom of the
Franks under the rule of the
Merovingian dynasty during the
sixth to
eighth centuries. The distinct area originated at the time of the death of
Clovis I (reigned
482-511), when his sons divided his lands between them.
Constant re-divisions of territories by Clovis's descendants resulted in many rivalries that, for more than two hundred years, kept Neustria in almost constant warfare with
Austrasia, the eastern portion of the Frankish kingdom.
Despite the wars, Neustria and Austrasia re-united briefly on a few occasions, the first time under
Clotaire I during his reign from
558 to
562. The struggle for power continued with Queen
Fredegund of Neustria (the widow of King
Chilperic I (reigned
566-
584) and the mother of the new king
Clotaire II (reigned
584-
628)) unleashing a bitter war.
After his mother's passing and burial in
Saint Denis Basilica in Paris (
597),
Clotaire II continued the struggle against Queen
Brunhilda of Austrasia, and finally triumphed in
613 when Brunhilda's own followers betrayed the old queen into his hands. Clotaire had Brunhilda put to the
rack and stretched for three days, then chained between four horses and eventually ripped limb from limb. Clotaire now ruled a united realm, but only for a short time.
Finally under
Dagobert I (reigned
628-
637) the ongoing generational war resulted in another temporary unification, but by then the authority of the warring kings had begun to decline as the
mayors of the palace rose to prominence.
In
687 Pippin of Herstal, mayor of the palace of the king of Austrasia, defeated the tenacious Neustrians at
Tertry and united Austrasia and Neustria.
Pippin's descendants, the
Carolingians, continued to rule the two realms as mayors. With
Pope Stephen II's blessing, after
751 the Carolingian
Pippin the Short, formally deposed the Merovingians and took control of the empire, he and his descendants ruling as kings.
Neustria, Austrasia, and
Burgundy then became united under one authority and the names "Neustria" and "Austrasia" gradually disappeared.
For a list of rulers of Neustria, see the
list of Frankish Kings.
