Changes

The Kingdom of Croatia with time became a powerful military state and expanded its borders. It had conflicts with the Hungarians (Magyars), Bulgarians and the Byzantine Empire (aka Eastern Roman Empire, please note they referred to themselves as 'Empire of the Romans' Latin: Imperium Romanum). As well as being a Christian state it then later became Catholic (the Slavs were pagans upon arrival in Roman Dalmatia). King Demetrius Zvonimir (1075-1089) took an oath of allegiance to Pope Gregory VII. It’s written language was Latin and Croatian Glagolitic. The Slavic rulers spoke old Slavic Chakavian.  

The Kingdom of Croatia with time became a powerful military state and expanded its borders. It had conflicts with the Hungarians (Magyars), Bulgarians and the Byzantine Empire (aka Eastern Roman Empire, please note they referred to themselves as 'Empire of the Romans' Latin: Imperium Romanum). As well as being a Christian state it then later became Catholic (the Slavs were pagans upon arrival in Roman Dalmatia). King Demetrius Zvonimir (1075-1089) took an oath of allegiance to Pope Gregory VII. It’s written language was Latin and Croatian Glagolitic. The Slavic rulers spoke old Slavic Chakavian.  

The medieval state borders have been a matter of huge debate and will remain so until new historical evidence is found. However there is some factual information. Medieval Croatia incorporated Pannonia (also ruled by Slavs). The river Cetina was a major border in the south. The [[Dalmatian Italians#Early History|Roman cities]] of '''Jadera''' (Zara/Zadar), '''Spalatum''' (Spalato/Split), '''Ragusa''' (Dubrovnik) and '''Trau''' (Trogir) with their surrounding areas never became part of the state other than for a short period under Peter Kresimir IV. Other parts of the Dalmatian coast did. In the north the river Sava was a major border (Lower Pannonia). The region south of the river Cetina has been sometimes historically referred to as Red Croatia,<ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=wEF5oN5erE0C&pg=PA62&dq=V.+Klaić+Red+Croatia+John+Fine&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8RbkUN3YJ4iZkAW4lIGIAw&sqi=2&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=V.%20Klaić%20Red%20Croatia%20John%20Fine&f=false  When Ethnicity Did not Matter in the Balkans:]  by John Van Antwerp Fine. (p62-p63)

The medieval state borders have been a matter of huge debate and will remain so until new historical evidence is found. However there is some factual information. Medieval Croatia incorporated Pannonia (also ruled by Slavs). The river Cetina was a major border in the south. The [[Dalmatian Italians#Early History|Roman cities]] of '''Jadera''' (Zara/Zadar), '''Spalatum''' (Spalato/Split), '''Ragusa''' (Dubrovnik) and '''Trau''' (Trogir) with their surrounding areas never became part of the state other than for a short period under Peter Kresimir IV. Other parts of the Dalmatian coast did. At time in the north the river Sava was a major border (Lower Pannonia). The region south of the river Cetina has been sometimes historically referred to as Red Croatia,<ref>[http://books.google.com.au/books?id=wEF5oN5erE0C&pg=PA62&dq=V.+Klaić+Red+Croatia+John+Fine&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8RbkUN3YJ4iZkAW4lIGIAw&sqi=2&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=V.%20Klaić%20Red%20Croatia%20John%20Fine&f=false  When Ethnicity Did not Matter in the Balkans:]  by John Van Antwerp Fine. (p62-p63)

  John V. A. Fine Jr: {{quote|

  John V. A. Fine Jr: {{quote|

''F. Rački and V. Klaić think these Croats may have operated not only along the coast but inland as far east as what is now Kosovo, intermixed with Serb or other Slavic tribes...'' }}</ref>  which would indicate Croatian influence was felt beyond the river Cetina. The Kingdom's borders were further expanded by Prince/King Tomislav and other rulers.  

''F. Rački and V. Klaić think these Croats may have operated not only along the coast but inland as far east as what is now Kosovo, intermixed with Serb or other Slavic tribes...'' }}</ref>  which would indicate Croatian influence/settlement was beyond the river Cetina. The Kingdom's borders were further expanded by Prince/King Tomislav and other rulers.  

In the late 12 century the state fell into crisis ''when'' the neighbouring Hungarians (Magyars) used this opportunity to expand their own state. In 1102 it ceased to exist and it became politically part of the ''Kingdom of Hungary''.<ref>'''Note''': It has been mentioned that the Croatian province at first enjoyed a fair amount of independence under the Hungarians.</ref> Parts of Croatian territory later came under Habsburg rule (Habsburg Monarchy was ''renamed'' Austro Hungarian Empire). The political power within the province was transferred from Dalmatia's northern hinterland to the city of Zagreb, further inland (Zagreb was a Roman town of Andautonia). Zagreb today is the capital of modern Croatia.  Over time the coastal part of Dalmatia became part of the Republic of Venice. The Republic of Venice controlled most of Dalmatia from 1420 to 1797.  

In the late 12 century the state fell into crisis ''when'' the neighbouring Hungarians (Magyars) used this opportunity to expand their own state. In 1102 it ceased to exist and it became politically part of the ''Kingdom of Hungary''.<ref>'''Note''': It has been mentioned that the Croatian province at first enjoyed a fair amount of independence under the Hungarians.</ref> Parts of Croatian territory later came under Habsburg rule (Habsburg Monarchy was ''renamed'' Austro Hungarian Empire). The political power within the province was transferred from Dalmatia's northern hinterland to the city of Zagreb, further inland (Zagreb was a Roman town of Andautonia). Zagreb today is the capital of modern Croatia.  Over time the coastal part of Dalmatia became part of the Republic of Venice. The Republic of Venice controlled most of Dalmatia from 1420 to 1797.