Events By Place Europe Saelred becomes king of Essex. Ceolred becomes king of Mercia, after his cousin Cenred abdicates to become a monk in Rome. By Topic Environmental change A storm separates the Channel Islands of Jethou and Herm. Births Emperor Kōnin of Japan (d. 782) Yan Zhenqing, renowned Chinese calligrapher and governor (d. 785) Mazu Daoyi, Chinese Zen Buddhist monk (d. 788) Yaxun B'alam IV, king of Yaxchilan (d. 768) Deaths January 9 — Saint Adrian of Canterbury… (More on 709)