873. On the approach of Emperor Louis with an army the Saracens, who were besieging Salerno, retire; they land in Calabria and commit great depredations.
Locusts lay waste Italy, France, and Germany.
Organs introduced into the churches of Germany.
874. Mercia is conquered by the Danes, who set up Ceolwulf as their king.
Iceland is settled by the Danes.
875. Death of Emperor Louis; Charles the Bald and Louis of Germany contend for the succession. The former, by granting new privileges to the Church of Rome, obtains the support of the Pope, and is acknowledged as the king of Italy and emperor of the West.
Alfred, King of Wessex, fits out a fleet and conquers the Danes in a great sea battle. See "[CAREER OF ALFRED THE GREAT]," v, 49.
876. Death of Louis of Germany; division of his kingdom among his three sons: Bavaria to Carloman; Saxony to Louis the Stammerer; and East France (Franconia and Swabia) to Charles the Fat. Their uncle, Charles the Bald, attempts to dispossess them, but is defeated by Louis at Andernach.
Rollo, at the head of the Northmen, enters the Seine and makes his first settlement in Normandy. See "[DECAY OF THE FRANKISH EMPIRE]," v, 22.
877. No emperor of the West for three years.