989 CE

Halley's Comet is at perihelion. The Hagia Sophia at Constantinople is struck by a great earthquake, causing the collapse of the western dome arch. Basil II asks the Armenian architect Trdat, the creator of the Cathedral of Ani, to direct the repairs. Summer – Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine, captures the city of Reims by treachery of its new archbishop, Arnulf (the illegitimate son of the late King Lothair III). King Hugh I (Capet) demands that Pope John XV discipline Arnulf. But John XV, not wishing to defy Empress Theophanu, refuses.

In the 980s, the 10th century.

Conflict & Security

  • Winter – Theophanu arrives with her son, King Otto III in Rome to meet John XV. Crescentius II (the Younger) offers his submission to the Holy Roman Empire, in return for which she confirms his title as patrician of Rome.source
  • In Vietnam during the Early Le dynasty, provincial governor Dương Tiến Lộc seized control of the two provinces Hoan and Ái in an attempt to request annexation to Champa, which was rejected. He then rebelled against the emperor but was quickly suppressed within the same year, resulting in heavy civilian casualties in both provinces.source
  • Emperor Basil II uses his contingent of 6,000 Varangians to help him defeat Bardas Phokas (the Younger), who suffers a seizure during the siege of Abydos (threatening to blockade the Dardanelles). Phokas dies, ending the revolt and threat to Constantinople. Upon Phokas' death, the other rebel leader Bardas Skleros (who is captured and blinded) yields to Basil's superior forces.source

Religion & Belief

  • Council of Charroux: French bishops under the patronage of William IV, duke of Aquitaine, declare the first Peace of God (or Pax Dei). This agreement grants immunity from violence to noncombatants (peasants and clergy) who can not defend themselves.source
  • Summer – Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine, captures the city of Reims by treachery of its new archbishop, Arnulf (the illegitimate son of the late King Lothair III). King Hugh I (Capet) demands that Pope John XV discipline Arnulf. But John XV, not wishing to defy Empress Theophanu, refuses.source

Science & Discovery

  • September – Halley's Comet is at perihelion.source

Culture & Society

  • October 25 – The Hagia Sophia at Constantinople is struck by a great earthquake, causing the collapse of the western dome arch. Basil II asks the Armenian architect Trdat, the creator of the Cathedral of Ani, to direct the repairs.source
  • Sankore Madrasah, at this stage a mosque, is founded in Timbuktu (modern-day Mali).source

Births

  • September 5 – Fan Zhongyan, chancellor of the Song Dynasty (died 1052)source
  • Al-Jayyānī, Arab scholar and mathematician (died 1079)source
  • Adémar de Chabannes, French monk and historian (died 1034)source
  • Chaghri Beg, co-ruler of the Seljuk Empire (died 1060)source
  • Regelinda, margravine of Meissen (approximate date)source

Deaths

  • January 23 – Adalbero, archbishop of Reimssource
  • April 13 – Bardas Phokas, Byzantine generalsource
  • October 5 – Henry III, duke of Bavaria (born 940)source
  • Chavundaraya, Indian general, architect and poetsource
  • Kalokyros Delphinas, Byzantine general (or 988)source
  • Chen Tuan, Chinese Taoist monk and philosophersource
  • Glúniairn, Norse-Gael king of Dublin (approximate date)source
  • Pan, Chinese princess and wife of Zhen Zong (born 968)source
  • Fujiwara no Korenari, Japanese courtier (born 953)source
  • Kiurike I, king of Tashir-Dzoraget (Armenia)source
  • Fujiwara no Yoritada, Japanese nobleman (born 924)source
  • Gofraid mac Arailt, Norse-Gael king of the Isles (Hebrides)source
  • Sharaf al-Dawla, Buyid emir of Kerman and Fars (born 960)source
  • Ch'oe Sung-no, Korean politician and poet (born 927)source