By place Europe •
April 18 –
Siege of Tortona: German forces capture the citadel of
Tortona (after a two-month
siege). The city is razed to the ground, including the
graves. •
June 18 – King
Frederick Barbarossa is crowned as
Holy Roman Emperor by
Pope Adrian IV at
St. Peter's Basilica in
Rome. •
Arnold of Brescia is exiled by Adrian IV and forced to flee. He is arrested by imperial forces,
hanged, and his body burned at the stake in Rome in June. • The city of
Bari rebels against King
William I ("the Bad") of
Sicily and recognizes the Byzantine emperor
Manuel I Komnenos as its overlord. • The
Virgin of Vladimir icon is taken by Grand Prince
Andrey Bogolyubsky to
Vladimir from
Suzdal.
England • Spring – King
Henry II has the
Palace of Westminster (which is badly damaged by
Stephen's supporters during
The Anarchy) repaired.
Thomas Becket, archbishop of
Canterbury, is given the task of repairing the buildings. • Henry II subdues the English nobles who have become too powerful during the civil war. He takes
Bridgnorth Castle and
Scarborough Castle. • Henry II grants the city of
Bristol ('Brycgstow') a
Royal charter, and is divided between
Gloucestershire and
Somerset (until
1373). •
New Year's Day is changed from January 1 to March 25.
Asia •
August 22 – The 16-year-old
Emperor Konoe dies after a 14-year reign. He is succeeded by his brother
Go-Shirakawa as the 77th emperor of
Japan. •
Jaisalmer Fort, located in the
Indian state
Rajasthan, is constructed by the
Rajput ruler
Rawal Jaisal (approximate date).
By topic Religion • A plan to conquer
Ireland is approved by Adrian IV in a
Papal bull (a formal proclamation issued by the pope) called
Laudabiliter. It gives Henry II lordship over Ireland, but the Irish kings resist English rule. • Summer (3/5 June) –
Robert of Chichester becomes bishop of
Exeter (until
1160). == Births ==