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]