 An Istrian margraviate itself first emerged following the death of Duke Eric of Friuli in the 799 Siege of Trsat on the Frankish border with Littoral Croatia.Istria was enfeoffed to the Frankish count Hunfrid, who also bore the title of a "dux Foroiulanus".The original Carolingian march stretched from the Julian Alps and the Kras Plateau down to the Gulf of Kvarner.