The world in 655 AD — what happened that year

10 events the sources record for this year, grouped by region.

What happened

Empress Wang was demoted to commoner, and Consort Wu (Wu Zetian) was made empress. (Old Book of Tang (Jiu Tangshu), Annals 舊唐書卷4 永徽6年 10月)
He deposed the Empress and made the Consort Wu, of the Chenfei rank, empress. (New Book of Tang (Xin Tangshu), Annals 新唐書卷003 高宗永徽6年10月)
Goguryeo, allied with Baekje and Malgal, seized thirty-three northern border fortresses from Silla and asked the Tang for relief. (Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) 卷05 武烈王 2年)
In May 655, Cheng Mingzhen and others fight bravely and rout the enemy, killing and capturing more than 1,000, then burn the outer walls and villages and return. (Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror) 권199 655년 항)

Egyptian rebels march to Dhu Khushub (Al-Tabari, History of the Prophets and Kings Series I tom.6 sect.1 (Arg.) [india.history.resource.86987], Annus 35)
Rebels from Iraq and Egypt enter Medina (Al-Tabari, History of the Prophets and Kings Series I tom.6 sect.1 (Arg.) [india.history.resource.86987], Annus 35)
Uthman is killed (Al-Tabari, History of the Prophets and Kings Series I tom.6 sect.1 (Arg.) [india.history.resource.86987], Annus 35)
Ali becomes caliph; Talha and al-Zubayr swear allegiance (Al-Tabari, History of the Prophets and Kings Series I tom.6 sect.1 (Arg.) [india.history.resource.86987], Annus 35 (Chalifatus Ali))

Penda was killed at Winwaed together with thirty men, including kings; after that the Mercians became Christian. (Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Giles/Ingram 1847 A.D. 655 항 (pg657.txt 줄 1538))
Oswy killed Penda at the battle of Winwaed and, as a thank-offering, dedicated the monastery site to God. (Bede, Ecclesiastical History of the English People Bede HE 3.24)