Adrian IV

American  

Or Hadrian IV

noun

1. Nicholas Breakspear, c1100–59, only Englishman to become pope, 1154–59.

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Adrian IV British  

noun

1. original name Nicholas Breakspear. ?1100–59, the only English pope (1154–59)

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Example Sentences

Historically speaking, Malkovich’s Brannox, who takes the papal name Pope John Paul III, would be as much of a rarity as Lenny Belardo, since there hasn’t been a British pope since Nicholas Breakspear's mid-12th-century reign as Pope Adrian IV. But we do not know whether Adrian shared his fictional counterpart John Paul III’s centrist vision.

From Salon

Adrian IV., the masterful Englishman who had recently ascended the papal throne, took advantage of the opportunity and set the novel example of laying an interdict on the capital of Christianity until Arnald should be expelled from the city; the fickle populace, dismayed at the deprivation of the sacrament, indispensable to all Christians at the approaching Easter solemnities, were withdrawn from his support, and he retired to the castle of a friendly baron of the Campagna.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1155 Henry asked and obtained from Adrian IV. a licence to invade Ireland, which the king contemplated bestowing upon his brother, William of Anjou.

From Project Gutenberg

Amongst her correspondents were Popes Anastasius IV. and Adrian IV., the emperors Conrad III. and Frederick I., and also the theologian Guibert of Gembloux, who submitted numerous questions in dogmatic theology for her determination.

From Project Gutenberg

Next beyond Boniface is the tomb of Adrian IV.

From Project Gutenberg