Timeline September 1159

Events in September 1159 3

• 1100 – 1159 Pope Adrian IV (1100-1159) Died 1 September 1159, aged about 59 Nicholas Breakspear, the only Englishman ever to become Pope, died at Anagni after a reign marked by conflict with Emperor Frederick Barbarossa over imperial power in Italy. He had earlier crowned Frederick Barbarossa as Holy Roman Emperor in 1155. His death triggered a disputed papal election that split the Church for nearly two decades.
• 1159 Siege of Toulouse Henry II of England withdraws after Louis VII personally defends the city Henry II of England invaded the county of Toulouse to press his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine's claim, besieging the city through the summer. When Louis VII of France entered Toulouse in person to support his brother-in-law Count Raymond V, Henry withdrew rather than attack his own feudal overlord directly. The campaign's failure checked Angevin expansion into southern France.
• 1159 Disputed papal election splits the Church Rival cardinals elect Alexander III and Victor IV as Pope Following the death of Adrian IV, a majority of cardinals elected Rolando of Siena as Pope Alexander III, while a minority backed by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa elected Cardinal Ottaviano as Victor IV. The resulting schism divided the Western Church's allegiance among rival popes for nearly two decades. Frederick Barbarossa's support for Victor IV deepened his rivalry with the papacy and much of Europe.