886 - Definition and Overview

Events

• The Glagolitic alphabet, devised by Cyril and Methodius, missionairies from Constantinople, is adopted in the Bulgarian Empire.
• Alfred the Great captures London and renames it Lundenburgh. The boundaries between Wessex and the Danelaw are shifted.
• Alfred the Great builds a small harbour called Queenhythe slightly upstream from London Bridge.
• Alfred the Great mints the first halfpenny. Previous halfpennies had been pennies cut in half.
• Earl Aethelred is given control of London by Alfred the Great. Alfred's sister Ethelfleda marries Aethelred.
• Leo VI succeeds his stepfather Basil I as Byzantine emperor and replaces patriarch Photius with his brother Stephen Porphyrogometus.
• Khan Boris I of Bulgaria establishes the Preslav and Ohrid Literary Schools.
• Charles II of France purchases peace with Vikings at Paris.

Births

Deaths

• August 29: Basil I, Byzantine Emperor