Directory

664 CE

A solar eclipse affects areas along a line from Central America, through eastern North America, the North Atlantic, Ireland, Great Britain and Germany. The plague claims King Eorcenberht of Kent, who dies after a 24-year reign, and is succeeded by his son Ecgberht. Queen Seaxburh becomes regent, ruling Kent until Ecgberht comes of age. The plague claims Cedd, Bishop of London.

Conflict & Security

  • Muslim Conquest: Arab forces under Al-Muhallab ibn Abi Sufra begin launching raids from Persia, striking at Multan in the southern Punjab (modern Pakistan). Muslims conquer the city of Kabul, invading from eastern Afghanistan.source

Religion & Belief

  • Synod of Whitby: King Oswiu of Northumbria calls for a meeting at Whitby Abbey to settle the church practices in his kingdom—those of the Celtic Church (of Wales, Scotland and the north of England – preached by Irish missionaries) or the Roman Church (of the south of England). The matters discussed include how to calculate the date of Easter. It is decided to follow the practice of Rome. As a result, many Irish clergy leave Northumbria and return to Ireland.source

Science & Discovery

  • 1 May – A solar eclipse affects areas along a line from Central America, through eastern North America, the North Atlantic, Ireland, Great Britain and Germany.source

Health & Medicine

  • 26 October – The plague claims Cedd, Bishop of London.source
  • King Ealdwulf succeeds Æthelwald as king of East Anglia. He becomes the last ruler recorded known to Bede. During Ealdwulf's reign the plague sweeps across the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.source
  • The epidemic significantly depopulates southern coastal areas of England.source
  • Adomnan of Iona, a contemporary Irish abbot and saint, writes that the epidemic affects all of Ireland and Great Britain, except for Dál Riata and Pictland.source
  • According to Bede, a Northumbrian monk and historian, the plague begins shortly after the eclipse of 1 May.source

Births

  • Muawiya II, Muslim caliph (d. 684)source
  • Shangguan Wan'er, Chinese poet (d. 710)source
  • Constantine I, Syrian-born pope of the Catholic Church (d. 715)source

Deaths

  • January 6 – 'Amr ibn al-'As, Arab generalsource
  • July 14 – Eorcenberht, king of Kentsource
  • July 14 – The plague claims King Eorcenberht of Kent, who dies after a 24-year reign, and is succeeded by his son Ecgberht. Queen Seaxburh becomes regent, ruling Kent until Ecgberht comes of age.source
  • October 26 – Cedd, bishop of Londonsource
  • The Kingdom of Gwynedd is also devastated by the plague; King Cadafael Cadomedd dies and is succeeded by Cadwaladr, who reasserts himself in his kingdom by sending his son Ivor from Brittany to be regent.source
  • Deusdedit of Canterbury, archbishop of Canterburysource
  • Æthelwald, king of East Anglia (approximate date)source
  • Cadafael Cadomedd, king of Gwynedd (Wales)source
  • Swithelm, king of Essex (approximate date)source
  • King Swithelm of Essex dies after a four-year reign. He is succeeded by his cousins Sighere and Sæbbi (approximate date).source
  • Xuanzang, Chinese Buddhist monk and travelersource
  • Alhfrith, king of Deira (approximate date)source