884 Charles becomes king of France (see France). The entire empire of Charlemagne (with the exception of Arles) is once more united under one ruler, but he proves utterly unfit for his charge and
887 After the disgraceful treaty with the Northmen (see France) he is deposed at Tribur and dies almost immediately afterward.
East Francia (afterwards Germany), West Francia (France), and Italy are once more divided. The East Franks or Germans elect Arnulf of Carinthia, illegitimate son of Carloman of Bavaria, as their king.
891 Arnulf defeats the Northmen at Loewen.
893 He allies himself with the Magyars or Hungarians, a Finnish tribe that has made its way into Hungary from the Ural region, for a campaign against the king of Moravia. He is only partially successful, and opens a way for the Magyar invasion of western Europe.
895 Arnulf seizes the West Frankish province of Lorraine and makes it into a kingdom for his natural son Zwentibold.
896 Arnulf invades Italy in the interests of the exiled king Berengar I. He defeats the emperor Lambert and restores Berengar. The pope crowns him emperor, which title he holds without dispute on death of Lambert (898).
899 Death of Arnulf. His six-year-old son Ludwig (IV) the Child becomes king of East Francia (Germany). He is under the influence of Hatto, archbishop of Mainz.
900 Revolt of the subjects of Zwentibold. He is killed by the rebels, and Lorraine passes to Ludwig.
908 The Magyar invasion begins to assume serious proportions.