Editing 627 (section)

== Events ==
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=== By place ===

==== Byzantine Empire ====
* Spring &ndash; [[Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628#Byzantine-Turkic alliance (626–628)|Byzantine–Sasanian War]]: Emperor [[Heraclius]] sweeps through southern [[Armenia]] with a 50,000-man expeditionary force, recapturing most of the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] fortresses lost to the [[Sasanian Empire|Persians]] ten and fifteen years earlier. The army of [[Shahrbaraz]], still in [[Anatolia]], is now cut off completely. Hearing from Byzantine [[Espionage#Agents in espionage|agents]] (showing him letters) that King [[Khosrau II]], dissatisfied with his failure to capture [[Constantinople]], is planning to have him executed, he surrenders to Heraclius, refusing to join the [[Byzantine army]] against his ungrateful sovereign.
* [[Third Perso-Turkic War]]: The [[Göktürks]] and their [[Khazars|Khazar]] allies (40,000 men) approach the [[Gates of Alexander|Caspian Gates]], and capture the Persian fortress at [[Derbent]] (modern [[Dagestan]]). Heraclius marches to the upper [[Tigris]] and invades the Persian heartland, leaving the Khazars under [[Tong Yabghu Qaghan]] to continue the [[siege of Tblilisi]].{{sfn|Kaegi|2003|p=144}}
* [[December 12]] &ndash; [[Battle of Nineveh (627)|Battle of Nineveh]]: Heraclius crosses the [[Great Zab]] river and, in a feigned retreat, defeats the Persian army (12,000 men) under [[Rhahzadh]], near the ruins of [[Nineveh]] ([[Iraq]]). Although wounded, Heraclius refuses to leave the battlefield, and in a final cavalry charge personally kills the Persian general.{{sfn|Kaegi|2003|p=167}}
* Winter &ndash; Heraclius plunders the city palace of [[Dastgerd]] ([[Iran]]) and gains tremendous riches (also recovering 300 captured [[Byzantine flags and insignia|Byzantine flag]]s).{{sfn|Kaegi|2003|p=173}} He turns northeastward to [[Caucasian Albania]] to rest his army. Khosrau II flees to the mountains of [[Elam|Susiana]], to rally support for the defense of the Persian capital [[Ctesiphon]].<ref>Oman, Charles (1893), ''Europe, 476–918'', Volume 1 (p. 211)</ref><ref>Norwich, John Julius (1997), ''A Short History of Byzantium'', Vintage Books, p. 93. {{ISBN|0-679-77269-3}}</ref>

==== Britain ====
* King [[Eorpwald of East Anglia]] is murdered, and succeeded by [[Ricberht of East Anglia|Ricberht]]. He is a member of the East Anglian elite; during his rule [[paganism]] is re-established.
* [[April 12]] &ndash; King [[Edwin of Northumbria]] is converted to [[Christianity]] by Bishop [[Paulinus of York]], who previously saved his life.

==== Arabia ====
* [[March 31]] &ndash; [[Battle of the Trench]]: [[Muhammad]] successfully withstands a [[siege]] for 27 days at [[Medina]], by [[Mecca]]n forces (10,000 men) under [[Abu Sufyan ibn Harb|Abu Sufyan]], whose allies, the Jewish tribe of [[Banu Qurayza]], ultimately surrender to Muhammad.<ref>Watt, ''Muhammad at Medina'', p. 36</ref>

=== By topic ===

==== Religion ====
* [[April 12]] &ndash; [[Paulinus of York|Paulinus]], last of the [[Missionary|missionaries]] sent by [[Pope Gregory I]], builds a wooden church in the old [[Roman legion]]ary headquarters in [[York]], and baptises [[Edwin of Northumbria]] as the first Christian king in northern England.{{sfn|Bede Book II|loc=[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/bede-book2.html Chapter&nbsp;XIV]}}
* [[Fourth Council of Mâcon]]: A [[Synod|council]] of Christian [[bishop]]s approves the [[Monasticism|Monastic Rule]] of [[Columbanus|Saint Columbanus]] in the city of [[Mâcon]] ([[Kingdom of Burgundy|Burgundy]]).<ref>"St. Columbanus". ''Catholic Encyclopedia''. New York: Robert Appleton Company (1913)</ref>
* [[Cunibert]] is elected [[bishop of Cologne]]. Throughout his episcopacy, [[monasticism]] flourishes in [[Austrasia]] (approximate date).

==== Education ====
* [[St Peter's School, York]], is founded by Paulinus.
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