Directory

690 CE

Theodore of Tarsus, age 88, dies at Canterbury. He is succeeded by Berhtwald as the 9th Archbishop of Canterbury (approximate date). Wu Zetian ascends to the throne of the Tang dynasty, and proclaims herself ruler of the Chinese Empire as "Holy and Divine Emperor". She becomes the first and only female "emperor" in 5,000 years of Chinese history. Wu Zetian changes the dynasty's name to the Zhou Dynasty, and begins to murder throne pretendants and ministers who try to oppose her. During her reign she elevates the status of Buddhism above Taoism. Willibrord, Anglo-Saxon missionary, travels from York with 12 Benedictine monks to Westkapelle, (modern Netherlands) to Christianize the pagan Frisians.

Conflict & Security

  • King Oswine of Kent is toppled by Wihtred, brother of the late king Eadric of Kent, after a 2-year reign. He takes his lands north of the River Thames, in revenge against the East Saxons (approximate date).source

Religion & Belief

  • Willibrord, Anglo-Saxon missionary, travels from York with 12 Benedictine monks to Westkapelle, (modern Netherlands) to Christianize the pagan Frisians.source

Science & Discovery

  • The approximate date of the earliest known blindfold chess, played by Sa'id ibn Jubayrsource

Crime & Justice

  • October 16 – Wu Zetian ascends to the throne of the Tang dynasty, and proclaims herself ruler of the Chinese Empire as "Holy and Divine Emperor". She becomes the first and only female "emperor" in 5,000 years of Chinese history. Wu Zetian changes the dynasty's name to the Zhou Dynasty, and begins to murder throne pretendants and ministers who try to oppose her. During her reign she elevates the status of Buddhism above Taoism.source

Births

  • Tassilo II, duke of Bavaria (approximate date)source
  • Ashot III, Armenian prince (approximate date)source
  • Rhodri Molwynog ap Idwal, king of Gwynedd (approximate date)source
  • Yazid II, Muslim caliph (approximate date; d. 724)source

Deaths

  • September 19 – Theodore of Tarsus, age 88, dies at Canterbury. He is succeeded by Berhtwald as the 9th Archbishop of Canterbury (approximate date).source
  • September 19 – Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury (b. 602)source
  • Bertha of Val d'Or, Frankish abbess (approximate date)source
  • Kusaila, Berber leader (approximate date)source
  • Amalberga of Maubeuge, Lotharingian saint (approximate date)source
  • Oswine, king of Kent (approximate date)source
  • Benedict Biscop, Anglo-Saxon abbotsource
  • Julian, archbishop of Toledo (b. 642)source
  • Nukata, Japanese poet (b. c. 630)source
  • Landrada, Frankish abbess (approximate date)source