Directory

786 CE

Battle of Fakhkh: An Alid uprising in Medina is crushed by the Abbasids. One of the Alids, Idris ibn Abdallah, flees to the Maghreb in western North Africa, where he later founds the Idrisid dynasty in 788/789. Harun al-Rashid becomes the Abbasid caliph in Baghdad, upon the death of his brother Al-Hadi. He appoints Salim Yunisi as governor of Sindh and the Indus Valley. Cyneheard, brother of the late king Sigeberht, ambushes and kills his rival Cynewulf of Wessex, while he is at Meretun (now called Marten) with his mistress. The Wessex nobles refuse to recognise Cyneheard as king.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Egbert settles at the court of Charlemagne, and learns the arts of government during his time in Gaul. During his stay he meets Eadberht, a priest, who later becomes king of Kent.source

Conflict & Security

  • June 11 – Battle of Fakhkh: An Alid uprising in Medina is crushed by the Abbasids. One of the Alids, Idris ibn Abdallah, flees to the Maghreb in western North Africa, where he later founds the Idrisid dynasty in 788/789.source
  • King Charles the Younger, son of Charlemagne and ruler of Aquitaine, visits Monte Cassino and Capua, both in Beneventan territory. Prince Arechis II, feeling threatened by the Franks, decides that he needs to stop quarrelling with the Byzantine Duchy of Naples so he can focus on the Frankish foe. Prince Arechis II therefore signs a peace agreement, or 'pactum', with the Duchy of Naples.source
  • Cyneheard, brother of the late king Sigeberht, ambushes and kills his rival Cynewulf of Wessex, while he is at Meretun (now called Marten) with his mistress. The Wessex nobles refuse to recognise Cyneheard as king.source
  • Cyneheard is executed and succeeded by Beorhtric, through the support of King Offa of Mercia. His rival claimant to the Wessex throne, a distant nephew of the late king Ine, named Egbert, is driven across the Channel.source

Culture & Society

  • Beatus of Liébana, monk and theologian, publishes his Commentary on the Apocalypse.source

Births

  • October 10 – Saga, emperor of Japan (d. 842)source
  • Al-Ḥajjāj ibn Yūsuf ibn Maṭar, Muslim mathematician (d. 833)source
  • Al-Ma'mun, Muslim caliph (d. 833)source
  • Sahl ibn Bishr, Muslim astrologer (approximate date)source
  • Adelochus, archbishop of Strasbourg (d. 823)source
  • Tachibana no Kachiko, empress of Japan (d. 850)source

Deaths

  • June 11 – Al-Husayn ibn Ali al-Abid, anti-Abbasid rebel leadersource
  • September 14 – Al-Hadi, Muslim caliph (b. 764)source
  • September 14 – Harun al-Rashid becomes the Abbasid caliph in Baghdad, upon the death of his brother Al-Hadi. He appoints Salim Yunisi as governor of Sindh and the Indus Valley.source
  • September – Marajil, mother of caliph al-Ma'mun.source
  • October 16 – Lullus, archbishop of Mainzsource
  • Diarmait mac Conaing, king of South Brega (Ireland)source
  • Empress Wang (Dezong) of Chinasource
  • Cyneheard the Ætheling, nobleman of Wessexsource
  • Sakanoue no Karitamaro, Japanese general (b. 727)source
  • Abo of Tiflis, Christian martyrsource
  • Al-Rabi' ibn Yunus, Muslim minister (or 785)source
  • Tipraiti mac Taidg, king of Connacht (Ireland)source
  • Desiderius, king of the Lombards (approximate date)source