July 10

Events

138day.year

Emperor Hadrian of Rome dies of heart failure at his residence on the bay of Naples, Baiae; he is buried at Rome in the Tomb of Hadrian beside his late wife, Vibia Sabina.

Roman Emperor Hadrian dies at his villa in Baiae and is laid to rest in his monumental tomb in Rome.
Hadrian, the third of the Five Good Emperors, passed away on July 10, 138 AD from heart failure at his seaside villa in Baiae. His reign was marked by consolidation of the empire’s borders, including the construction of Hadrian’s Wall in Britannia. An avid patron of architecture and the arts, he built an elaborate imperial retreat blending diverse cultural influences. Upon his death, he was interred in the Mausoleum of Hadrian, which later became known as Castel Sant'Angelo. He was laid to rest beside his wife, Vibia Sabina, honoring their partnership. Hadrian’s policies fostered a period of peace and stability known as the Pax Romana. His legacy endures in numerous monuments and his contributions to Roman law and culture.
138 Hadrian heart failure Baiae Rome Tomb of Hadrian Vibia Sabina
420day.year

Having usurped the throne of Emperor Gong of Jin, Liu Yu proclaims himself Emperor of the Liu Song dynasty.

General Liu Yu seizes power from Emperor Gong of Jin and establishes the Liu Song dynasty in 420.
In 420, the military leader Liu Yu overthrew the weakened Eastern Jin dynasty by deposing Emperor Gong in a calculated coup. He declared himself emperor and inaugurated the Liu Song dynasty, marking the beginning of the Southern Dynasties period in China. Liu Yu’s rise reflected the era’s turbulence, with rival princes and court factions vying for control. Under his rule, the new court sought to stabilize the south and defend against northern invasions. The transition reshaped imperial structures and court protocols. Liu Yu implemented reforms to strengthen central authority and reorganized the military command. His establishment of Liu Song laid foundations for cultural and economic growth in the region over the following decades.
420 Emperor Gong of Jin Liu Yu Emperor Liu Song dynasty
645day.year

Isshi Incident: Prince Naka-no-Ōe and Fujiwara no Kamatari assassinate Soga no Iruka during a coup d'état at the imperial palace.

Prince Naka-no-Ōe and Fujiwara no Kamatari launch the Isshi Incident, eliminating Soga no Iruka at the palace.
The Isshi Incident unfolded on July 10, 645, as Prince Naka-no-Ōe and the noble Fujiwara no Kamatari led a coup against the powerful Soga clan. They stormed the imperial palace and assassinated Soga no Iruka, a dominant regent accused of corrupting the throne. This daring act ended decades of Soga influence over the Yamato court. In its aftermath, Emperor Kōtoku ascended and initiated the Taika Reforms, aiming to centralize power and adopt Chinese-style governance. Land was nationalized and a more meritocratic administration was established. The incident reshaped Japan’s political landscape and marked the decline of clan-based rule. It set the stage for the formation of a strong imperial state under direct court control.
645 Isshi Incident Naka-no-Ōe Fujiwara no Kamatari Soga no Iruka coup d'état
988day.year

The Norse King Glúniairn recognises Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, High King of Ireland, and agrees to pay taxes and accept Brehon Law; the event is considered to be the founding of the city of Dublin.

Norse King Glúniairn submits to High King Máel Sechnaill and accepts Irish law, founding Dublin in 988.
In 988, the Norse ruler Glúniairn of Dublin acknowledged Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill as High King of Ireland. This agreement included paying regular tribute and observing the native Brehon Law system. The truce ended Viking and Gaelic hostilities, allowing the settlement to evolve into a thriving urban center. Historians regard this moment as the official founding of Dublin, transforming it from a seasonal encampment to a permanent town. The fusion of Norse and Irish customs fostered a unique cultural identity. Over the following centuries, Dublin grew into a key trade hub linking Ireland with the wider Viking world. This foundation paved the way for its development into Ireland’s capital.
988 Glúniairn Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill Brehon Law Dublin
1212day.year

The most severe of several early fires of London burns most of the city to the ground.

A catastrophic fire ravages medieval London in 1212, reducing much of the city to ashes.
On July 10, 1212, a devastating blaze erupted in the crowded streets of medieval London, fueled by timber-framed buildings and strong winds. Known as the Great Fire of 1212, it swept rapidly across the city, devastating homes, shops, and churches. Contemporary accounts describe frantic residents fleeing into the Thames to escape the flames. Though exact casualty figures remain uncertain, the toll was tragically high. In its aftermath, authorities implemented stricter fire regulations, including limits on building materials and street widths. The disaster highlighted the vulnerabilities of densely packed urban centers. Reconstruction efforts gradually replaced wood with stone and tile, shaping the future cityscape. The event remains one of the earliest recorded urban conflagrations in European history.
1212 early fires of London
1290day.year

Ladislaus IV, King of Hungary, is assassinated at the castle of Körösszeg (modern-day Cheresig in Romania).

King Ladislaus IV of Hungary is assassinated at Körösszeg castle, ending his controversial reign.
On July 10, 1290, Ladislaus IV, known as Ladislaus the Cuman, was killed by a member of his own retinue at Körösszeg castle in present-day Romania. His death marked the violent conclusion of a reign troubled by tensions between the Hungarian nobility, the Church, and his Cuman allies. Crowned as a child, he later embraced Cuman customs, provoking noble and clerical opposition. Attempts to reconcile with the Papacy and local lords often fell short amid mutual distrust. His assassination triggered a disputed succession, ultimately leading to the rise of Andrew III. Ladislaus’s legacy is remembered for the cultural blending he oversaw and the political turmoil he left behind.
1290 Ladislaus IV King of Hungary Körösszeg Romania
1460day.year

Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, defeats the king's Lancastrian forces and takes King Henry VI prisoner in the Battle of Northampton.

Warwick’s Yorkist army triumphs at Northampton, capturing King Henry VI in 1460.
On July 10, 1460, during the Wars of the Roses, Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick, led Yorkist forces to a decisive victory at the Battle of Northampton. His army routed King Henry VI’s Lancastrian troops and seized the king himself, dramatically shifting the war’s balance. The battle showcased Warwick’s tactical skill and the Yorkists’ growing momentum. Following the capture, the victorious nobles pressed their advantage in Parliament, rejecting Henry’s authority. This victory paved the way for Edward IV’s eventual accession to the throne. The capture of the king also deepened the conflict’s political stakes, compelling shifting alliances among England’s elite. The battle remains a pivotal moment in England’s dynastic struggles.
1460 Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick Lancastrian King Henry VI Battle of Northampton
1499day.year

The Portuguese explorer Nicolau Coelho returns to Lisbon after discovering the sea route to India as a companion of Vasco da Gama.

Navigator Nicolau Coelho arrives in Lisbon after completing the pioneering sea voyage to India with Vasco da Gama.
In 1499, Nicolau Coelho successfully returned to Lisbon after circumnavigating the Cape of Good Hope and reaching India alongside Vasco da Gama. As captain of one of the fleet’s ships, he demonstrated exceptional seamanship in uncharted Atlantic and Indian Ocean waters. Their voyage inaugurated direct maritime trade between Europe and Asia, bypassing traditional overland routes. The expedition’s success ushered in the Age of Discovery, transforming global commerce and geopolitics. Coelho’s experience and detailed charts became invaluable for subsequent Portuguese expeditions. His return was celebrated by King Manuel I, who rewarded the crew for their daring achievement. This milestone laid the groundwork for Portugal’s colonial empire and the spice trade’s expansion.
1499 Nicolau Coelho Lisbon Vasco da Gama
1512day.year

The Spanish conquest of Iberian Navarre commences with the capture of Goizueta.

Spanish forces seize Goizueta in 1512, inaugurating the conquest of Iberian Navarre.
On July 10, 1512, Spanish troops loyal to Ferdinand II launched their campaign against the Kingdom of Navarre by capturing the strategic fortress of Goizueta. This assault marked the opening move in the annexation of Iberian Navarre into the emerging Spanish state. The swift fall of Goizueta demonstrated Castilian military prowess and foreshadowed further incursions across the Pyrenees. Navarrese defenses struggled to repel the invasion, leading to political turmoil within the kingdom. Over the next year, Spain consolidated its hold, culminating in Navarre’s formal incorporation in 1515. The conquest altered the balance of power on the peninsula and helped solidify Spain’s unification. Its legacy persists in Navarre’s distinct regional identity within modern Spain.
1512 Spanish conquest of Iberian Navarre Goizueta
1519day.year

Zhu Chenhao declares the Ming dynasty's Zhengde Emperor a usurper, beginning the Prince of Ning rebellion, and leads his army north in an attempt to capture Nanjing.

Prince of Ning, Zhu Chenhao, rebels against the Ming dynasty and advances on Nanjing in 1519.
In 1519, Zhu Chenhao, the Prince of Ning, launched a rebellion against the Ming dynasty by accusing Emperor Zhengde of illegitimate rule. He mustered his forces in eastern Jiangsu and embarked on a march toward the southern capital, Nanjing. The uprising caught the imperial court by surprise, threatening the dynasty’s stability. Loyalist generals and eunuch commanders eventually quelled the revolt after several skirmishes. The rebellion’s suppression reinforced central authority and diminished princely autonomy. Zhu Chenhao was captured and executed, demonstrating the court’s resolve against insurrection. The Prince of Ning rebellion highlighted ongoing tensions between imperial princes and the throne during the Zhengde era.
1519 Zhu Chenhao Ming dynasty Zhengde Emperor Prince of Ning rebellion Nanjing
1553day.year

Lady Jane Grey takes the throne of England.

Lady Jane Grey is declared queen of England in a dramatic succession crisis.
In July 1553, following the death of King Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey was proclaimed queen by powerful nobles. This unexpected accession was orchestrated by John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, to secure a Protestant succession. At just 16 years old, Jane's reign began amid intense political intrigue and dynastic rivalry. Her claim was soon challenged by supporters of Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII. Within days, Mary rallied an army and secured popular support. Jane was forced to relinquish the crown after nine days on the throne. Her brief rule highlighted the volatility of Tudor succession politics. Ultimately, Jane was imprisoned in the Tower of London and later executed, leaving a lasting legacy in English history.
1553 Lady Jane Grey
1584day.year

William I of Orange is assassinated in his home in Delft, Holland, by Balthasar Gérard.

William the Silent, leader of the Dutch revolt, is assassinated in Delft.
On July 10, 1584, William I of Orange, instrumental in the Dutch struggle for independence, was fatally shot in Delft by Balthasar Gérard. Known as William the Silent, he had united various provinces against Spanish rule through diplomacy and military leadership. The assassination was the result of a Spanish-backed conspiracy aiming to quell the rebellion. William was reportedly holding private prayers when the gunman struck. His death sent shockwaves through the nascent Dutch Republic and inspired continued resistance. William's leadership had laid the foundations for the United Provinces of the Netherlands. After his death, he was celebrated as a martyr for freedom and Protestantism. His legacy endures in the Dutch national anthem, the Wilhelmus, which honors his memory.
1584 William I of Orange Delft Holland Balthasar Gérard