1154 - Definition and Overview

Events

• King Stephen of England dies at Dover, and is succeeded by his adopted son Henry Plantagenet who becomes King Henry II of England, aged 21.
• Sweden's King Eric introduces Christianity to Finland (see History of Finland).
• December 14 - Nicholas Breakspear, the only English pope, is elected as Pope Adrian IV, succeding Pope Anastasius IV.
• A chateau is built at Chinon by Theobald I, count of Blois.
• William I becomes king of Sicily.
• Nur ad-Din gains control of Damascus, uniting Syria under one ruler.
• Birmingham, England, and the Birmingham Bull Ring are founded.
• Bosnia becomes an autonomous duchy.
• Belgrade is rebuilt by Byzantine emperor Manuel I Comnenus.

Births

• November 11 - Sancho I, King of Portugal
• Minamoto no Yoshinaka, last shogun of the late Heian Period of Japanese history
• Sune Sik Sverkersson Prince of Sweden

Deaths

• October 25 - Stephen I of England, King of England (1135-1154)
• December 3 - Pope Anastasius IV
• Geoffrey of Monmouth (approximate date)
• King Roger II of Sicily (1130-1154)
• Ramiro II, King of Aragon

Heads of states

• England - Henry II Curt Mantle, King of England (reigned 1154 - 1189).
• France - Louis VII, King of France (reigned 1137 - 1180).