877 The pope summons Charles to drive the Saracens from Italy, but he dies on the way. Carloman of Bavaria, son of Ludwig the German, seizes the crown of Italy.
879 On death of Carloman the crown comes to his brother Charles the Fat.
888 Deposition of Charles the Fat. The empire which, during his reign, has been restored to the extent of Charlemagne’s dominions is again sundered.
THE QUASI-ITALIAN SUCCESSION (888-962 A.D.)
888 Italy (excepting, of course, the papal dominions and the territory under control of the Byzantine Empire) is now divided between Berengar of Friuli (grandson of Louis le Débonnaire) and Guido of Spoleto. The estate of Lombardy chooses Berengar I king.
889 Guido, disappointed in his hopes of obtaining the crown of France, returns to Italy and drives Berengar into Germany.
891 Guido and his son Lambert crowned emperors by Pope Formosus.
894 Death of Guido. His son Lambert succeeds as sole emperor.
896 The East Frankish king Arnulf invades Italy on request of the exiled Berengar, and is crowned emperor.
898 Death of Lambert. Berengar regains his kingdom. During these struggles the Saracens make frequent incursions into Italy.