Arnulf of Bavaria Son of Luitpold of the Agilulfing family and
of Kunigunde, and Duke of Bavaria from 907 to 937. His reign
fell in a troubled time. The Magyars had begun their predatory
incursions into Germany, in which they destroyed everything,
wherever they penetrated. When, in the year 907, they again
advanced against Bavaria in larger numbers than ever, the
Margrave Luitpold summoned the entire fighting force of his
people for the defence of the country. The Bavarians, however,
were completely defeated, 5 July, 907, in a battle in which
Luitpold himself, nearly all the Bavarian nobles, and a number
of bishops, were killed. The land then became an easy prey to
the barbarians and was ruthlessly devastated. Ludwig, King of
the East Franks, withdrew to the western division of the empire.
Under these almost hopeless conditions Arnulf, the son of
Luitpold, began his reign. He did not lose courage, however, and
succeeded, 11 August, 909, in defeating the Magyars on the Rott
as they were returning from Swabia.