Editing 899 (section)

==== Europe ====
* Summer &ndash; [[Arnulf of Carinthia]], the King of [[East Francia]], enlists the support of the [[Hungarians|Magyars]], to raid northern [[Kingdom of Italy (Holy Roman Empire)|Italy]]. They overrun the Lombard plain all the way to [[Pavia]]. King [[Berengar I of Italy|Berengar I]] assembles a large army against the Magyars, and confronts them near the [[Adda River, Italy|Adda River]]. Daunted at the strong force, [[Árpád]] (head of the confederation of the [[Magyar tribes|Hungarian tribes]]) offers to make peace and restore much of what they've taken, if they are permitted to leave Italy unmolested. Berengar refuses, and the Magyars withdraw to the [[Brenta (river)|Brenta River]]. Árpád renews his offer, offering to leave all his booty and even some hostages. Again Berengar refuses, and awaits their crossing of the Brenta River for a final battle.
* [[September 24]] &ndash; [[Battle of Brenta|Battle of the Brenta]]: The Magyar forces, consisting of 5,000 men, take a circuitous route through the mountains, crossing the Brenta River and proceed south to fall upon the encamped Lombard army (15,000 men) at [[Cartigliano]]. The Magyars massacre much of Berengar's unprepared army. He himself manages to escape to [[Pavia]], changing his dress with the clothing of one of his soldiers. Árpád renews the offensive and heads across [[Lombardy]], pillaging the countryside around [[Treviso]], [[Vicenza]], [[Bergamo]] and other towns all the way to [[Vercelli]]. He turns south and heads down the [[Via Aemilia|Aemilian Road]], sacking [[Reggio Emilia]], [[Modena]] and [[Bologna]].<ref>AF(B), 900 (p. 141 and n4), with a loss of 20,000 men and many bishops. Corroborated by Liutprand, ''Antapodosis''.</ref>
* [[December 8]] &ndash; Arnulf of Carinthia dies from [[paralysis]] following a [[stroke]] and is entombed in [[St. Emmeram's Abbey]] at [[Regensburg]] ([[Duchy of Bavaria|Bavaria]]). He is succeeded by his 6-year-old son [[Louis the Child|Louis III]] ('''the Child''') as ruler of the [[East Francia|East Frankish Kingdom]]. Arnulf's counselor [[Hatto I (archbishop of Mainz)|Hatto I]], archbishop of [[Elector of Mainz|Mainz]], becomes [[regent]] and guardian of the young king. Louis (possibly at the instigation of Hatto) claims [[Lotharingia]] from his half-brother [[Zwentibold]] and with the support of the East Frankish [[Nobility|nobles]] he provokes a civil war. The Lombard [[throne]] is left temporarily vacant.
* Winter &ndash; The Magyars turn back north towards the shores of the [[Venetian Lagoon]]. They pillage [[Chioggia]] and [[Pellestrina]], and advance towards [[Malamocco]]. Their advance into the lagoon is checked by the assembly of the [[Venetian navy|Venetian fleet]] under doge [[Pietro Tribuno]], which defeats the Magyar's river crossing vessels at Albiola, causing them to pull back. This close call with the Magyars prompts the Venetians to initiate the fortification of the [[Rialto]] and the building of protective chains over the [[Grand Canal (Venice)|Grand Canal]].