HERSTAL or HERISTAL, a town of Belgium, less than 2 in. N. of Liege and practically one of its suburbs. The second Pippin was born here. His grandson, Pippin the Short, died at Herstal in A.D. 768, and it disputes with Aix-la-Chapelle the honour of being the birthplace of Charlemagne. It is now a very active centre of iron and steel manufactures. The Belgian national small arms factory and cannon foundry are here. Pop. (193o) 26,236. The name may come from Heerstelle (permanent camp) .