15. The Plague of 664, the first recorded plague in English history, coincided with a solar eclipse to convince the inhabitants of the British Isles that it was divine punishment
The Plague of 664, the first recorded plague in English history, was a localized epidemic contained within the British Isles that began in the year 664 of the Common Era. Split between two periods of primary outbreak, 664-668 and a second reemergence between 680 and 686, the unknown plague was responsible for widespread death and disruption throughout the British Isles. An exception to the plague was northern Scotland which, for unknown reasons but likely due to remoteness rather than genetic factors, remained seemingly unaffected by the outbreaks; contemporary sources attributed this fortune to intervention by St. Columba.
Coinciding with the rare occurrence of a total solar eclipse in May 664, as well as possibly an earthquake, the arrival of the deadly plague was interpreted by many as divine retribution upon the inhabitants of the British Isles. The Christian churches of Britain, in particular, took great advantage of the outbreak to advance the Christianization of pagan Britons, promoting the alleged immunity of the priesthood due to divine protection. This propaganda, combined with the eerie spectacle of a solar eclipse, resulted in a notable swing away from traditional religious beliefs in favor of Christianity in the British Isles.