The Frankish overlordship ended during the reign of Mislav two decades later.

[29] According to
the Constantine VII Christianization of Croats began in the 7th century, but the claim is disputed
and generally Christianization is associated with the 9th century.[30] The first native Croatian
ruler recognised by the Pope was Duke Branimir, who received papal recognition from Pope
John VIII on 7 June 879.[15]

Kingdom of Croatia c. 925, during the reign of King Tomislav

Tomislav was the first ruler of Croatia who was styled a king in a letter from the Pope John X,
dating kingdom of Croatia to year 925. Tomislav defeated Hungarian and Bulgarian invasions,
spreading the influence of Croatian kings.[31] The medieval Croatian kingdom reached its peak in
the 11th century during the reigns of Petar Krešimir IV (1058–1074) and Dmitar Zvonimir
(1075–1089).[32] When Stjepan II died in 1091 ending the Trpimirović dynasty, Ladislaus I of
Hungary claimed the Croatian crown in name of his sister Helena, wife of King Dmitar
Zvonimir. Opposition to the claim led to a war and personal union of Croatia and Hungary in
1102, ruled by Coloman.[33]