170. Adrian IV:
December 4, 1154 - September 1, 1159 (4 years, 8 months)
At one time an abbot with a zeal for reforms, Adrian IV was the only pope to ever come from England.
171. Alexander III:
September 7, 1159 - August 30, 1181 (21 years)
Alexander III's papacy was marred by the fact that a minority of cardinals at his election chose instead to go with Cardinal Octavian, who adopted the papal name Victor IV.
172. Lucius III:
September 1, 1181 - November 25, 1185 (4 years)
Pope Lucius III is known for having formally declared the Waldenses to be heretics in 1184 at a synod which was convened to act against a variety of heretical positions which had been growing in popularity.
173. Urban III:
November 25, 1185 - October 20, 1187 (1 year, 10 months)
Pope Urban III was fiercely independent - so much so that his papacy was marked by problems and fighting with the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick Barbarossa. As a result, Frederick had his son invade the Papal States and isolate the pope physically from his few remaining supporters.
174. Gregory VIII:
October 21, 1187 - December 17, 1187 (2 months)
Gregory VIII seems to have been elected due to his good relations with political leaders. He had hoped to reform the clergy and the Curia, but his reign was much too short for him to accomplish anything.
175. Clement III:
December 19, 1187 - March, 1191 (3 years)
Clement III was very well connected among Roman aristocracy, thus making his election to pope much easier.
176. Celestine III:
March 30, 1191 - January 8, 1198 (6 years)
Pope Celestine III reigned for a surprising long time, considering that he was 85 years old when he was elected. He had a rocky relationship with German emperor Henry IV.
177. Innocent III:
January 8, 1198 - June 16, 1216 (18 years, 6 months)
Shortly after his election, Pope Innocent III took advantage of a power vacuum in Germany to reassert papal authority in Rome and take control away from the German government.
