Branimir of Croatia

Branimir was Duke of Croatia, reigning from 879 to c. 892. His country received papal recognition as a state from Pope John VIII on 7 June 879. During his reign, Duchy of Croatia retained its sovereignty from both Carolingian and Byzantine rule and became de jure independent. His rule marks the first real peak of early medieval Croatia. It was characterized by establishing closer relations with the Holy See, ecclestical re-organization in the former Roman province of Dalmatia, Christianization, and (re)construction of churches. Branimir is mentioned, for the period, in many reliable primary and secondary written and epigraphic sources.