855 CE

Pope Leo IV dies after an 8-year reign, and is succeeded by Benedict III as the 104th pope of Rome. Anastasius is made anti-pope by Lothair I. Emperor Lothair I dies after a 15-year reign (co-ruling with his father Louis the Pious until 840). He divides the Middle Frankish Kingdom between his three sons in an agreement called the Treaty of Prüm—the eldest, Louis II, receives the northern half of Italy and the title of Holy Roman Emperor. The second, Lothair II, receives Lotharingia (the Low Countries and Upper Burgundy). The youngest, Charles, receives Lower Burgundy and Provence. Theoktistos, co-regent of the Empire on behalf of 15-year old Emperor Michael III, is murdered on the orders of Michael.

In the 850s, the 9th century.

Conflict & Security

  • Caliph al-Mutawakkil sends an Abbasid army, led by the Turkic general Bugha al-Kabir, to suppress an uprising of rebellious Armenian nakharars. He subdues the country, and deports many Armenian nobles to the caliphal capital of Samarra.source

Religion & Belief

  • Æthelwulf grants churches in Wessex the right to receive tithes. He gives one-tenth of his lands to the Church.source
  • The Slavic alphabet is created by Saints Cyril and Methodius.source

Culture & Society

  • Spring – King Æthelwulf of Wessex decides to go on a pilgrimage to Rome, accompanied by his youngest son Alfred (age 6) and a large retinue. He divides the kingdom between his two eldest sons; Æthelbald receives the western part of Wessex, while Æthelberht becomes ruler over Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Essex.source

Births

  • Gerald of Aurillac, Frankish nobleman (approximate date)source
  • Jing Hao, Chinese painter (died 915)source
  • Han Jian, Chinese warlord (died 912)source
  • Guaimar I of Salerno, Lombard prince (approximate date)source
  • Abu'l-Hasan Ali ibn al-Furat, Muslim vizier (died 924)source

Deaths

  • July 17 – Leo IV, pope of the Catholic Church (born 790)source
  • July 17 – Pope Leo IV dies after an 8-year reign, and is succeeded by Benedict III as the 104th pope of Rome. Anastasius is made anti-pope by Lothair I.source
  • September 20 – Gozbald, abbot and bishop of Würzburgsource
  • September 29 – Emperor Lothair I dies after a 15-year reign (co-ruling with his father Louis the Pious until 840). He divides the Middle Frankish Kingdom between his three sons in an agreement called the Treaty of Prüm—the eldest, Louis II, receives the northern half of Italy and the title of Holy Roman Emperor. The second, Lothair II, receives Lotharingia (the Low Countries and Upper Burgundy). The youngest, Charles, receives Lower Burgundy and Provence.source
  • September 29 – Lothair I, Frankish king and emperor (born 795)source
  • November 20 – Theoktistos, co-regent of the Empire on behalf of 15-year old Emperor Michael III, is murdered on the orders of Michael.source
  • November 20 – Theoktistos, Byzantine chief ministersource
  • December 8 – Drogo of Metz, illegitimate son of Charlemagne (born 801)source
  • Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Muslim scholar and theologian (born 780)source
  • Sahnun ibn Sa'id, Muslim jurist (or 854)source
  • Cyngen ap Cadell, king of Powys (Wales)source
  • Pepin, count of Vermandois (approximate date)source
  • Elisedd ap Cyngen, king of Powys (Wales)source
  • Sico II, prince of Salerno (Italy)source