642 - Definition and Overview

Events

• August 5 - In the Battle of Maserfield, Penda king of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald, king of Bernicia.
• November 24 - Theodore succeeds John IV as Pope.
• Battle of Nehaward: Arabs conquer Persia.
• Empress Kogyoku ascends to the throne of Japan.
• Batbayan succeeds Kubrat as ruler of the Bulgars (approximate date).
• Monastic settlement founded in Hampshire, England, which later becomes Winchester Cathedral.
• Yeon Gaesomun seizes power over the Goguryeo kingdom and places King Bojang on the throne.

Births

Deaths

• August 5 - Oswald, king of Bernicia and Bretwalda
• October 12 - Pope John IV
• Khalid bin Walid, Muslim general, conqueror of Damascus and Syria
• King Yeongnyu of Goguryeo