The Persian army under
Shahin Vahmanzadegan destroys the city of
Sardis, including its
synagogue. Its importance is due to a highway, leading from the interior to the
Aegean coast. Shahin marches through
Anatolia, defeating the
Byzantines numerous times.
Rædwald installs
Edwin as king of Northumbria, effectively confirming him as bretwalda. He takes power in his native
Deira and in
Bernicia. His reign marks the domination of Northumbria as leading
Anglo-Saxon state of the
British Isles.
February 24 –
Æthelberht, the first Christian Anglo-Saxon king, dies in
Kent after a 26-year reign. He is succeeded by his
pagan son,
Eadbald, who promptly marries his stepmother
Emma, in accordance with pre-Christian custom.
King
Sæberht of Essex dies after a 12-year reign, and is succeeded by his son
Sexred. He rules conjointly with his two brothers
Sæward and Sigeberht; they throw out the Christian
missionaries and return to paganism.
The
Battle of Chester (
Old Welsh: Guaith Caer Legion;
Welsh: Brwydr Caer), which separates the (West) Welsh from the 'North' Welsh of
Cumbria - marking the formation of
Wales, is fought (approximate date).
Mellitus, bishop of
London, is
exiled by Sexred and his pagan brothers (Sæward and Sigeberht). He is forced to take refuge in
Gaul, and returns to
England the following year.
The
Quraish clans begins to boycott
Muhammad and Banu Hashem, in order to put pressure on his
Muslim followers and his
Islamic preachings.
A
shrine on the site of the future
Westminster Abbey (London) is founded (approximate date).