846 CE

Emperor Wu Zong (Li Chan) dies after a 6-year reign. He is succeeded by his uncle Xuān Zong, as Chinese ruler of the Tang Dynasty. Frankish forces led by Louis the German invade Moravia. They encounter little resistance, and depose King Mojmir I from the throne. His relative, Rastislav, is set up as the new client ruler. Prince Pribina becomes a vassal of the Frankish Empire. King Louis the German grants him land near Lake Balaton (modern Hungary). He establishes Blatnohrad, capital of Balaton Principality.

In the 840s, the 9th century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Prince Pribina becomes a vassal of the Frankish Empire. King Louis the German grants him land near Lake Balaton (modern Hungary). He establishes Blatnohrad, capital of Balaton Principality.source
  • Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid becomes the first High King of Ireland. [Factually disputed. Source needed]source

Conflict & Security

  • Byzantine–Bulgarian War: The Bulgarians violate the peace treaty (see 815), and invade Macedonia along the River Struma. The cities of Serres and Philippi are devastated.source
  • King Æthelred II of Northumbria sends military assistance to the Picts, in their fight against the invading Scots (approximate date).source
  • Summer – Breton forces under Nominoe occupy the Frankish cities of Nantes and Rennes. He makes raids in Anjou and threatens Bayeux. King Charles the Bald recognizes him as duke of Brittany.source
  • Frankish forces led by Louis the German invade Moravia. They encounter little resistance, and depose King Mojmir I from the throne. His relative, Rastislav, is set up as the new client ruler.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • The Mozarabs, Iberian Christians who live under Moorish rule, try to repopulate León in Al-Andalus (modern Spain). The city is recaptured by the Muslim Arabs.source

Religion & Belief

  • Muslim forces attempt to raid Rome but only pillage the countryside around the city before being beaten back by Duke Guy I of Spoleto. In the aftermath, Pope Leo IV starts walling the area around the Vatican hill, creating the Leonine City.source

Crime & Justice

  • A Saracen Arab expeditionary force from Africa, consisting of 11,000 men and 500 horses, raid the outskirts of Rome, sacking the basilicas of Old St. Peter's and St. Paul's Outside the Walls.source

Births

  • November 1 – Louis the Stammerer, king of West Francia (died 879)source
  • Du Xunhe, Chinese poet (died 904)source
  • Rollo, Viking leader and count (approximate date)source
  • Zhang Chengye, Chinese eunuch official (died 922)source
  • Li Yi, Chinese poet (approximate date)source
  • Wang Chao, Chinese warlord (died 898)source
  • Hasan al-Askari, 11th Shia Imam (died 874)source
  • Gyeongmun, king of Silla (Korea) (died 875)source

Deaths

  • April 22 – Wu Zong, emperor of the Tang Dynasty (born 814)source
  • April 22 – Emperor Wu Zong (Li Chan) dies after a 6-year reign. He is succeeded by his uncle Xuān Zong, as Chinese ruler of the Tang Dynasty.source
  • July 29 – Li Shen, chancellor of the Tang Dynastysource
  • Dantivarman, king of the Pallava Empire (India)source
  • Bai Ju Yi, Chinese poet and official (born 772)source
  • Reginbert of Reichenau, German librariansource
  • Chang Pogo, Korean maritime hegemon (or 841)source
  • Mojmir I, king of Moravia (approximate date)source
  • Joannicius the Great, Byzantine theologian (born 752)source
  • Li Zongmin, chancellor of the Tang Dynastysource
  • Chang Pogo, a powerful maritime hegemon of Silla, is assassinated by aristocratic elements at his garrison headquarters by Yŏm Chang (or 841).source
  • Ferdomnach, Irish monk and illuminatorsource
  • Niall Caille, High King of Irelandsource