Editing History of Croatia (section)

== Duchy of Croatia (800–925) ==
{{main|Duchy of Croatia|Slavs in Lower Pannonia#Principality}}
[[File:Greda i zabat s natpisom kneza Branimira 879.jpg|thumb|[[Branimir inscription]] (879–892), a [[Latin language]] reference to [[Branimir of Croatia|Duke Branimir]] as ''Dux Cruatorum''.]]
[[File:Hl.SpasP1030130.JPG|thumb|Late 9th century [[Church of Holy Salvation, Cetina|Church of Holy Salvation]] with a Carolingian [[westwork]], built at the time of duke [[Branimir of Croatia]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Milošević |first=Ante |year=2009 |title=Sarkofag kneza Branimira |url=https://www.academia.edu/18348228 |journal=Histria Antiqua |volume=18 |pages=564}}</ref> ]]

From the middle of the seventh century until the unification in 925, there were two duchies on the territory of today's Croatia, [[Duchy of Croatia]] and [[Principality of Lower Pannonia]]. Eventually, a [[dukedom (administrative division)|dukedom]] was formed, the [[Duchy of Croatia]], ruled by [[Borna of Croatia|Borna]], as attested by chronicles of [[Einhard]] starting in the year 818. The record represents the first documented Croatian realms, [[vassal state]]s of [[Francia]] at the time.<ref name="Mužić-157-160">Mužić (2007), pp. 157–160</ref> The most important ruler of Lower Pannonia was [[Ljudevit (Lower Pannonia)|Ljudevit Posavski]], who fought against the [[Franks]] between 819 and 823. He ruled Pannonian Croatia from 810 to 823.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ljudevit Posavski |url=https://www.enciklopedija.hr/clanak/ljudevit-posavski |access-date=2022-11-19 |website=www.enciklopedija.hr}}</ref>
The Frankish overlordship ended during the reign of [[Mislav of Croatia|Mislav]] two decades later.<ref name="Mužić-169-170">Mužić (2007), pp. 169–170</ref> Duke Mislav was succeeded by [[Duke Trpimir]], the founder of the [[Trpimirović dynasty]]. Trpimir successfully fought against [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantium]], Venice and [[Bulgaria]]. Duke Trpimir was succeeded by [[Domagoj of Croatia|Duke Domagoj]], who repeatedly led wars against the Venetians and the Byzantines, and the Venetians called this Croatian ruler "the worst Croatian prince" (dux pessimus Croatorum)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Domagoj |url=https://www.enciklopedija.hr/clanak/domagoj-oko-864-876 |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=enciklopedija.hr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Traces of history - Turistička zajednica grad Metković |url=https://www.tzmetkovic.hr/en/activities-and-attractions/item/136-traces-of-history.html |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=www.tzmetkovic.hr |archive-date=29 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229113853/https://www.tzmetkovic.hr/en/activities-and-attractions/item/136-traces-of-history.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> According to Constantine VII, the [[Christianization]] of Croats began in the 7th century, but the claim is disputed and generally, Christianization is associated with the 9th century.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Bogoslovska smotra|publisher=University of Zagreb, Catholic Faculty of Theology|issn=0352-3101|date=April 1968|issue=3–4|volume=37|author=Antun Ivandija|title=Pokrštenje Hrvata prema najnovijim znanstvenim rezultatima|trans-title=Christianization of Croats according to the most recent scientific results|language=hr|pages=440–444|format=PDF|url=http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=64623|access-date=18 October 2011}}</ref> In 879, under [[Branimir of Croatia|Branimir]], the duke of Croatia, [[Dalmatian Croatia]] received papal recognition as a state from [[Pope John VIII]].<ref name="Mužić-195-198">Mužić (2007), pp. 195–198</ref>