Editing Croats (section)

===Early medieval age===
{{main|Duchy of Croatia|Principality of Lower Pannonia}}
The lands which constitute modern Croatia fell under three major geographic-politic zones during the Middle Ages, which were influenced by powerful neighbor Empires – notably the Byzantines, the Avars and later [[Hungarians|Magyars]], [[Franks]] and [[Bulgars]]. Each vied for control of the Northwest Balkan regions. Two independent Slavic dukedoms emerged sometime during the 9th century: the [[Duchy of Croatia]] and [[Principality of Lower Pannonia]].

====Pannonian Principality ("Savia")====
{{more citations needed section|date=November 2015}}
Having been under Avar control, lower Pannonia became a march of the [[Carolingian Empire]] around 800. Aided by [[Vojnomir of Pannonian Croatia|Vojnomir]] in 796, the first named Slavic Duke of Pannonia, the Franks wrested control of the region from the Avars before totally destroying the Avar realm in 803. After the death of [[Charlemagne]] in 814, Frankish influence decreased on the region, allowing Prince [[Ljudevit Posavski]] to raise a rebellion in 819.<ref name="Wolfram 2002">{{Harvard citation text|Wolfram|2002}}</ref> The [[Frankish Empire|Frankish]] [[margrave]]s sent armies in 820, 821 and 822, but each time they failed to crush the rebels.<ref name="Wolfram 2002"/> Aided by Borna the Guduscan, the Franks eventually defeated Ljudevit, who withdrew his forces to the Serbs and conquered them, according to the Frankish Annals.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}}

For much of the subsequent period, Savia was probably directly ruled by the Carinthian [[Arnulf of Carinthia|Duke Arnulf]], the future East Frankish King and Emperor. However, Frankish control was far from smooth. The [[Royal Frankish Annals]] mention several Bulgar raids, driving up the Sava and Drava rivers, as a result of a border dispute with the Franks, from 827. By a peace treaty in 845, the Franks were confirmed as rulers over [[Slavonia]], whilst [[Syrmia|Srijem]] remained under Bulgarian clientage. Later, the expanding power of [[Great Moravia]] also threatened Frankish control of the region. In an effort to halt their influence, the Franks sought alliance with the Magyars, and elevated the local Slavic leader [[Braslav of Croatia|Braslav]] in 892, as a more independent Duke over lower Pannonia.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}}

In 896, his rule stretched from [[Vienna]] and [[Budapest]] to the southern Croat duchies, and included almost the whole of ex-Roman Pannonian provinces. He probably died {{circa}} 900 fighting against his former allies, the Magyars.<ref name="Wolfram 2002"/> The subsequent history of Savia again becomes murky, and historians are not sure who controlled Savia during much of the 10th century. However, it is likely that the ruler [[Tomislav of Croatia|Tomislav]], the first crowned King, was able to exert much control over Savia and adjacent areas during his reign. It is at this time that sources first refer to a "Pannonian Croatia", appearing in the 10th century Byzantine work ''De Administrando Imperio''.<ref name="Wolfram 2002"/>