761 CE

Battle of Eildon: King Æthelwald Moll of Northumbria faces a rebellion, under a rival claimant to the throne named Oswine, brother of the murdered King Oswulf of Northumbria. Oswine is killed after a three-day battle against the forces of Æthelwald in Scotland. The Japanese priest Dōkyō cures Empress Kōken by using prayers and potions. He may have become her lover and certainly becomes her court favorite, arousing the jealousy of Emperor Junnin. Khurshid II, the last ruler (spāhbed) of Tabaristan, poisons himself when he learns that his family has been captured by the Abbasids.

In the 760s, the 8th century.

Conflict & Security

  • August 6 – Battle of Eildon: King Æthelwald Moll of Northumbria faces a rebellion, under a rival claimant to the throne named Oswine, brother of the murdered King Oswulf of Northumbria. Oswine is killed after a three-day battle against the forces of Æthelwald in Scotland.source
  • Bridei V succeeds his brother Óengus I as king of the Picts (modern Scotland).source
  • An Abbasid Caliphate army reconquers the city of Kairouan (in modern-day Tunisia), from 'Abd al-Rahmān ibn Rustam of the Rustamid dynasty. The latter is forced to flee west, where he creates an autonomous state around Tihert (Tiaret).source

Religion & Belief

  • The Japanese priest Dōkyō cures Empress Kōken by using prayers and potions. He may have become her lover and certainly becomes her court favorite, arousing the jealousy of Emperor Junnin.source
  • The city of Oviedo (Northern Spain) is founded by the monks Nolan and John (approximate date).source

Technology & Infrastructure

  • Construction is completed on the 108-room Castello di Lunghezza outside of Rome, Italy.source

Crime & Justice

  • Khurshid II, the last ruler (spāhbed) of Tabaristan, poisons himself when he learns that his family has been captured by the Abbasids.source

Climate & Environment

  • A great Chinese famine in the Huai-Yangtze area, late in the year, drives many people to cannibalism (approximate date).source

Births

  • Wu Chongyin, general of the Tang dynasty (died 827)source
  • Shun Zong, emperor of the Tang dynasty (died 806)source

Deaths

  • December 23 – Gaubald, bishop of Regensburgsource
  • Donngal mac Laidcnén, king of the Uí Ceinnselaig (Ireland)source
  • Khurshid II, ruler (spāhbed) of Tabaristan (born 734)source
  • Ibn Ishaq, Arab historian and hagiographer (or 767)source
  • Shi Siming, general of the Tang dynasty (born 703)source
  • Empress Xin of China (born unknown date)source