879

879 is a year in the Julian calendar. It was a common year starting on Friday. In the Carolingian Empire, it was a year of ongoing division and conflict. Louis the Stammerer, King of West Francia, died early in the year, leading to a struggle for succession between his sons Louis III and Carloman II. This period saw the continued fragmentation of the empire, with Viking raids remaining a persistent threat across Europe.

In East Francia, Emperor Charles the Fat continued to exert his influence, though his reign would soon be challenged. The Great Heathen Army, which had been active in Britain for years, continued its campaigns. In the Byzantine Empire, Emperor Basil I was in power, a period often referred to as the Macedonian Renaissance, marked by a resurgence of classical learning and artistic achievement.

The exact date of events within 879 can be difficult to pinpoint with absolute certainty due to the nature of historical records from this era. However, it falls within a significant period of transition for European kingdoms and the broader geopolitical landscape. The year is primarily remembered for its political instability in the West and the ongoing cultural developments in the East.