Search hotels

Check-in date

Check-out date

Join in

Send page to a friend

Nicholas Breakspear

The only English-born Pope, Adrian IV, born Nicholas Breakspear, died 850 years ago this week. He’s our hero of the week not for any religious reason, but for his achievement in actually getting the top job - the previous six popes had all been Italian by birth, non-Italian popes then as until recently very rare beasts. He was of humble birth too, in contrast to most pontiffs. He rose rapidly in the church hierarchy on merit rather than as was more usual through nepotism. And though he lived outside England most of his life his death has something rather English about it – supposedly choking while drinking a glass of wine.

Previous heroes of the hour

More British Heroes

Brit Quote:
Give the enemy not only a road for flight, but also a means of defending it. - Thomas Hardy
More Quotes

On this day:
Scotland and France form their 'Auld Alliance' - 1295, Battle of Southwark - 1450, Newton’s Principia Published - 1687, Giant Hailstone Hits Plumstead - 1925, National Health Service established - 1948
More dates from British history

click here to view all the British counties

County Pages