664

Updated on Oct 02, 2024

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Year 664 (DCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. The denomination 664 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.

North America & Europe

1 May – a solar eclipse affects areas along a line from Central America, through eastern North America, the North Atlantic, Ireland, Britain and Germany.

Britain & Ireland

Plague of 664

According to Bede, a Northumbrian monk and historian, the plague began shortly after the eclipse of 1 May.

Adomnan of Iona, a contemporary Irish abbot and saint, wrote that the epidemic affected everywhere in Ireland and Britain, except for Dál Riata and Pictland.

The epidemic significantly depopulated southern coastal areas of England.

The Kingdom of Gwynedd is also devastated by the plague; King Cadafael Cadomedd dies and is succeeded by Cadwaladr, who reasserts himself in his kingdom by sending his son Ivor from Brittany to be regent.

King Ealdwulf succeeds Æthelwald as king of East Anglia. He becomes the last ruler recorded known to Bede. During Ealdwulf's reign the plague sweeps across the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.

July 14 – the plague claims King Eorcenberht of Kent dies after a 24-year reign, and is succeeded by his son Ecgberht. Queen Seaxburh becomes regent, ruling Kent until Ecgberht comes of age.

King Swithelm of Essex dies after a four-year reign. He is succeeded by his cousins Sighere and Sæbbi (approximate date).

26 October – the plague claims Cedd, Bishop of London.

Arabian Empire

Muslim Conquest: Arab forces under Al-Muhallab ibn Abi Suffrah begin launching raids from Persia, striking at Multan in the southern Punjab (modern Pakistan). Muslims conquer the city of Kabul, invading from eastern Afghanistan.

Religion

Synod of Whitby: King Oswiu of Northumbria calls for a meeting at Whitby Abbey to settle the church practices in his kingdom—those of the Celtic Church (of Wales, Scotland and the north of England - preached by Irish missionaries) or the Roman Church (of the south of England). The matters discussed include how to calculate the date of Easter. It is decided to follow the practice of Rome. As a result, many Irish clergy leave Northumbria and return to Ireland.