April 12 – Karl Sverkersson is murdered by Knut Eriksson (son of Eric Jedvardsson), who proclaims himself king of Sweden. However, Karl's half brothers Kol and Boleslaw proclaim themselves kings of Östergötland, in opposition to Knut, which leads to fights for the power in Sweden until 1173.
May 29 – Battle of Monte Porzio: The army of the Commune of Rome is defeated by the forces of the Holy Roman Emperor and the local princes; Pope Alexander III leaves Rome
Peter of Blois becomes the tutor of William II of Sicily.
Absalon, archbishop of Denmark, leads the first Danish synod at Lund.
Absalon fortifies Copenhagen.
William Marshal, described as "the greatest knight that ever lived," is knighted in England.
Afonso I of Portugal is defeated by the Kingdom of Leon.
Amalric I of Jerusalem unsuccessfully invades Egypt.
William of Tyre becomes archdeacon of Tyre.
Oath of Pontida marks the foundation of the Lombard League
Henry II prohibits English students from attending the University of Paris; many settle at the University of Oxford.
Taira no Kiyomori becomes the first samurai to be appointed Daijo Daijin, chief minister of the government of Japan


Births

King John of England, (d. 1216)
Frederick VI, Duke of Swabia (d. 1191)


deaths

January 23 or January 28 – Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra, mathematician, astronomer, and poet (b. 1092 or 1093)
April 12 – Charles VII, king of Sweden since 1161 (b. c. 1130)
August 14 – Rainald of Dassel, Archbishop of Cologne (of epidemic after accompanying Frederick Barbarossa on a campaign into Latium) (b. c. 1120)
Děpold I of Jamnitz (epidemic)
Frederick IV of Swabia (epidemic)
Henry II of Limburg (epidemic)
September 10 – Empress Maud, wife of Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor) (b. 1102)
Yesugei, father of Genghis Khan
Robert of Melun, English theologian and bishop