On the 3rd of December 1154 Pope Anastasius IV died in Rome. He was succeeded by Pope Adrian IV ⓘ.

During his papacy he resolved the issues regarding the argument with the Holy Emperor Frederick I ⓘ over the apointment to the Archbishop of Magdeburg, and the appointment of William of York against the opposition by Henry Murdac abbot of the Cistercian Fountains Abbey.