The reign of King Salomon (857-874) had been a period of prosperity and relative power for Brittany. But with his death began a period of civil war between his assassins, Gurvand, Count of Rennes, and Pascweten, Count of Vannes. On the death of these two pretenders to the throne, around 876/877, the conflict was continued by their respective heirs, Judicael, Prince of Poher, and Alan, Count of Vannes and Nantes. Faced with the threat of Viking invasion, they reconciled at the end of 880s. The death of Judicael in 890 extinguished the battle for succession to the Breton throne and Alan became the incontestable King of Brittany. He was the last king to be recognised as such by the Frankish monarchy.
Alan I defeated Viking raiders at Questembert, probably in 888 or 890. It was the beginning of a seventeen-year period of respite, and yet we know almost nothing about his reign. The only artefacts we have are seven charters, which contain his signature.
He died in 907 and his son Rudalt was confirmed as the new Count of Vannes. However, he was not named King of Brittany. We know that in fact when Alan died, and until 913, Brittany was governed by Gourmaëlon, Count of Cornouaille, although he was not granted a royal title either. After the Viking interlude, Alan Wrybeard took to the throne in Brittany in 936, but with the title of Duke. He was the son of Mathuedoï, Count of Poher, and one of the daughters of Alan the Great.
