971

By place

Byzantine Empire

• Battle of Dorostolon: A Byzantine expeditionary army attacks the Bulgarian frontier, personally led by Emperor John I. He lays siege to the fortress city of Dorostolon, and is reinforced by a fleet of 300 ships equipped with Greek fire. The Kievan Rus' and their Bulgarian allies are reduced to extremities by famine. After a 3-month siege, Grand Prince Sviatoslav I agrees to sign a peace treaty with the Byzantines, whereby he renounces his interests towards Bulgarian lands and the city of Chersonesos in Crimea. Sviatoslav is allowed to evacuate his army to Berezan Island, while the Byzantines enter Dorostolon. John renames the city Theodoropolis.
• John I returns in triumph to Constantinople. He brings along Boris II, ruler of the Bulgarian Empire, and his family, together with the contents of the Bulgarian imperial treasury. Boris is given the Byzantine 'court title' of magistros as compensation. The Bulgarian lands in Thrace and Lower Moesia become part of the Byzantine Empire.

  Europe

• Emperor Otto I appoints his imperial secretary Willigis as chancellor. An office formerly held by Otto's brother, Archbishop Bruno I.

  Britain

• King Cuilén is killed by Britons after a 6-year reign. He is succeeded by his nephew Kenneth II as ruler of Alba. He will not be sole king until 977.

  Africa

• Battle of Alexandretta: The Byzantines defeat a Fatimid force near Alexandretta, while the main Fatimid army is besieging the fortress city of Antioch. Coupled with news of an advance against Damascus of the Qarmatians, the Fatimids are forced to lift the siege and withdraw to Egypt.

  China

• January 23 - A war elephant corps of the Southern Han is defeated at Shao, by crossbow fire from Song Dynasty troops. The Southern Han Kingdom is forced to submit to the Song Dynasty. Ending Southern Han rule, but also the first regular war elephant corps employed in a Chinese army, that had gained the Southern Han victories throughout the 10th century.

  By topic

Religion

• The grave of Swithun, Anglo-Saxon bishop of Winchester, is moved into an indoor shrine in the Old Minster. The ceremony is said to have been marred by 40 days of torrential rain.