Editing 653 (section)

==== Britain ====
* King [[Penda of Mercia]] secures dominance over the area of [[Middle Angles|Middle Anglia]],{{sfn|Kirby|2000|loc=chapter&nbsp;5, "The northern Anglian hegemony", section "The reign of Oswald"}} where he establishes his son [[Peada]] as ruler.{{sfn|Kirby|2000||p=78}} 
* Peada marries Alchflaed, daughter of King [[Oswiu of Northumbria|Oswiu of Bernicia]], and is [[Baptism|baptised]] at ''Ad Murum'' (in the region of [[Hadrian's Wall]]) by bishop [[Finan of Lindisfarne|Finan]].
* King [[Œthelwald of Deira]] rejects Oswiu's overlordship, and turns to Penda instead. Penda mounts another attack against [[Bernicia]] (approximate date).
* [[Talorgan I of the Picts|Talorgan I]], nephew of Oswiu, is crowned king of the [[Picts]]. He probably accepts [[Northumbria]]n overlordship and pays [[tribute]].{{sfn|Bede Book II|loc=[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/bede-book2.html Chapter&nbsp;V]}}
* King [[Sigeberht the Little|Sigeberht I]] of [[Kingdom of Essex|Essex]] dies after a 36-year reign, and is succeeded by his relative [[Sigeberht the Good|Sigeberht II]]. 
* Sigeberht II is persuaded by Oswiu to adopt [[Christianity]], as part of a [[mobilization]] against Penda.