Braslav of Pannonian Croatia

Who is Braslav of Pannonian Croatia?

Braslav or Bräslav was the last duke or prince of Pannonian Croatia in 880–898/900 vassalaged to the Kingdom of East Francia. The territory he was responsible for was extended by the Franks to include the territory of the former Principality of Lower Pannonia in 896.

Braslav fought against his Slavic neighbour, the Great Moravian king Svatopluk I in the service of King Arnulf of East Francia. The alliance against Great Moravia expanded when the newly arrived Hungarians joined the fight on the Frankish King's side. After Svatopluk's death in 894, the Hungarians turned against the Frankish King, so King Arnulf gave the Principality of Lower Pannonia to Prince Braslav, seeking to save what could be saved from Hungarian pillages. Thereby, Braslav also became a ruler of the Carinthians living in present-day eastern-most Austria and around Ptuj. The fate of Pannonia could not be changed, as the Hungarians overran it in 900/901, thus ending Braslav's reign.