The only English Pope

Pope Hadrian IV (c. 1100 - 1st September 1159), born Nicholas Breakspear or Breakspeare, was Pope from 1154 to 1159. Hadrian IV is the only Englishman who has occupied the papal chair. It is generally believed that Nicholas Breakspear was born at Breakspear Farm in the parish of Abbots Langley in Hertfordshire and received his early education at the Abbey School, St Albans (St Albans School). On the death of Pope Anastasius, Nicholas was elected pope on 3rd December 1154, taking the name Hadrian IV.