Note 24 — Chapter X · DECLINE AND DECAY OF THE MEROVINGIANS 561-656.

Neustria, Neuster, Neustrasia, Neutrasia, Niwistria are all found as forms of the name. It is disputed whether it means merely the realm of the ‘New Franks’ in Gaul as opposed to the ‘Old Franks’ on Meuse and Rhine, or whether New and West are compressed together in the word. The Annals of Metz say, ‘Occidentales Franci qui Niwistrii dicuntur.’ Its boundaries were the Scheldt, the Silva Carbonaria about Namur and Mons, and the Upper Meuse. Verdun is the westernmost Austrasian town; Langres the northernmost Burgundian town.