The raids launched in the two years…

Constantine, as he approaches maturity, has grown increasingly resentful of his mother's controlling influence in the empire.

The Empress crushes his attempt to seize power, demanding in 788 that the military oath of fidelity should recognize her as senior ruler.

The date of Abd al-Rahman's death is disputed, but is generally accepted to be sometime around 785 through 788.

Abd al-Rahman dies in his adopted city of Córdoba, and is supposedly buried under the site of the Mezquita.

Abd al-Rahman's alleged favorite son is his choice for successor, and will later be known as Hisham I, who, at the beginning of his reign, in 788, faces rebellions from his older brothers, Suleiman and 'Abd Allah.

Abd ar-Rahman's progeny will continue to rule al-Andalus in the name of the house of Umayyad for several generations, with the zenith of their power coming during the reign of Abd al-Rahman III.

Al-Hakam, the current Umayyad emir, is the target of an unsuccessful conspiracy to overthrow him.

He responds with repressive measures and increased taxation.

The Short Reign of King Bermudo I of Asturias (788–791 CE)

After the death of Mauregatus in 788 CE, the palatine nobility—the aristocracy of the royal court—elects Bermudo Ias his successor.

Since Mauregatus had seized power in a coup d'état in 783 with regional support, and Bermudo’s succession occurs without opposition, it is likely that Mauregatus had reshaped the court nobility to favor a candidate who, like himself, would block the rightful succession of Alfonso II, the son and heir of Fruela I.

Bermudo’s Possible Clerical Background

The Chronicle of Alfonso III, in both its extant versions, describes Bermudo as a deacon at the time of his succession. If true, this detail further suggests that his election was a deliberate political move to prevent Alfonso II from ascending the throne.

Regardless of the circumstances of his rise to power, Bermudo’s reign is short-lived, lasting only a few years before he is forced to abdicate in 791 CE.

Kanmu's armies are meanwhile pushing back the boundaries of his empire.

This leads to an uprising, and in 789 a substantial defeat for Kanmu's troops.

Also in 789 there is a severe drought and famine—the streets of the capital are clogged with the sick, and with people avoiding conscription into the military or as forced labor.

Many disguise themselves as Buddhist priests for the same reason.

Charles organizes campaigns against the Veleti, and their fellow Slavic tribe of the Linonen, because of their constant hatred and hostility toward the Franks.

With the aid of Frisian, Obodrite, Saxon and Sorbian, reinforcements, Charles manages to cross the Elbe River, advancing toward the Havel River into Veleti territory.

Outnumbered, Dragovit, in 789, is forced to pledge loyalty to the Franks and surrender hostages.

Among others, Dragovit is also forced to pay a tribute and accept the influence of Christian missionaries among his people.

His capital is a fortification known as civitas Dragowiti (City of Dragovit).

Its location is hypothesized to be either at Brandenburg an der Havel or …

…Demmin.

Bulgaria had overcome the internal political crisis after the end of the rule of the Dulo.

The khans Telerig and Kardam have managed to consolidate the central authority and put an end of the quarrels among the nobility.

The Bulgarians finally have the opportunity to intensify their campaigns in Macedonia and annex the region and its Slavic population to their state.

In 789, they penetrate deep into the valley of the Struma river and heavily defeat the imperial forces, killing the strategos of Thrace, Filites.

The Church's declaration in 789 of Sunday as a day of rest as well as a holy day thus further separates Christianity from any contact with Judaism.

Idris, founder of the Zaydi Shi'ite Idrisid dynasty, traces his ancestry back to Ali ibn Abi Talib and his wife Fatimah, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad.

In 789, on a bank of the Jawhar rive, he founds the city of Fés.

Fés is today the second largest city of Morocco.