856
| Years: 852 853 854 855 - 856 - 857 858 859 860 | |
| Decades: 820s 830s 840s - 850s - 860s 870s 880s | |
| Centuries: 8th century - 9th century - 10th century | |
- Ethelbald usurps the throne of Wessex from his father Ethelwulf
- Earthquake in Corinth, Greece, kills an estimated 45,000
- Bardas becomes regent for the Byzantine Emperor Michael III
- Ordono I of Asturias said to have begun the repopulation of the town of León
Deaths
- February 4 - Rabanus Maurus, Bishop of Mainz