March 7 –
Conrad III is elected as
King of Germany, in the presence of the papal legate
Theodwin at
Koblenz. He is crowned at
Aachen six days later (on
March 13), and acknowledged in
Bamberg by several German princes of southern
Germany.[1]Henry X (the Proud), son-in-law and heir of the late King
Lothair III, refuses his allegiance to Conrad. He is deprived of all his Saxon territories, which are given to
Leopold IV (the Generous).
Summer – A civil war breaks out in the
Holy Roman Empire, a struggle begins between the
Guelphs and Ghibellines, while the family name
Welf of Henry X will be corrupted into Guelph.
May – Earl
Robert FitzRoy rebels against King
Stephen, supporting Matilda (his step-sister) in her claim for the English throne. Matilda is given refuge by Earl
William de Albini at
Arundel Castle. Stephen builds siege works around the castle, but is unable to break the castle's defences. In
France, Matilda's husband Duke
Geoffrey V (the Fair) takes advantage of the situation by re-invading
Normandy.
Siege of Shaizar: The Byzantines under John II besiege the capital of the
Munqidhite Emirate. They capture the lower city on
May 20, but fail to take the citadel. John negotiates with Emir
Abu'l Asakir Sultan – who sends him an offer to pay a large indemnity and becoming a
vassal of the
Byzantine Empire. John, disgusted by his Crusader allies, accepts the terms and raises the siege on
May 21.[4]