In 919, the death of Conrad I allowed Arnulf to return to Bavaria and expel the king's forces. Conrad I being childless, the throne was open to Arnulf, again. On his return, according to the "Annales iuvavenses", in 920, "Baiuarii sponte se reddiderunt Arnolfo duci et regnare ei fecerunt in regno teutonicorum" ("the Bavarians freely submitted themselves to Duke Arnulf and asked him to reign within the realm of the Germans"). The 919 ascension of Henry the Fowler would bring forth a battle for the throne; however, whether the Bavarians, with some other East Franks, actually elected Arnulf anti-king in opposition to Henry has not been conclusively established.