 However, with the rise of the importance of the Bellonids and strong figures among them such as, Sunifred (fl.844–848) and Wilfred the Hairy (c.870-897), and the weakening of Carolingian royal power, the appointment of heirs eventually become a formality.This trend resulted in the counts becoming "de facto" independent of the Carolingian crown under Borrell II in 987, starting since, to call themselves and to be known as "dei gratia comes" (counts by the grace of god) and "dux catalanensis" (Catalan dukes) or even "Hispaniae subjogator" (attorney of Hispania) and "Propugnator et murus christiani populi" (wall and defender of the Christian folk).