11 February –
Robert of Chester completes the translation of Book on the Composition of Alchemy from
Arabic to Latin. It is the first book in Europe to describe
alchemy.[5]
28 November–24 December – the
Siege of Edessa by Muslims led by
Imad ad-Din Zengi eliminates the Crusader principality of
Outremer, the news causing the pope to preach a new Crusade.
The Anarchy: Ranulf of Chester is captured, but released after surrendering his castles.[1]
Many knights and barons leave England to take part in the
Second Crusade.[1]
1147
The Anarchy: Henry arrives in England to fight for Matilda, but is defeated in skirmishes, and returns to Normandy.[1]
The Anarchy: Ranulf of Chester lays waste to the land around
Coventry, but fails to capture the city itself.[1]
Late Spring – An expedition of Crusaders leaves from
Dartmouth, Devon, for the
Second Crusade to the
Holy Land, Englishmen together with forces from
Flanders,
Frisia,
Scotland and some German polities. Leadership is provided by
Hervey de Glanvill, a Norman nobleman and constable of
Suffolk, who leads a fleet of some 200 ships. Bad weather forces them to take refuge at the mouth of the
Douro in Portugal on 16 June.
24 October – English crusaders capture
Lisbon from the
Moors.[1]
1148
February – The Anarchy: Empress Matilda forced to return to
Normandy.[1]