Parents: Fulk V, count of Anjou, and Ermengard of Maine
House: Anjou
Born: 24 August 1113
Spouse(s): Matilda, daughter of Henry I, king of England, and Edith of Scotland
Predecessor: Fulk V
Reign: 1129 – 1151
Summary: Although born to a French count, his father became king of Jerusalem suo uxoris when Geoffrey was in his late twenties. This prestige mixed with a lifetime of good fortune that culminated with his son, Henry, eventually naming his dynasty after Geoffrey. Not a lot is known about Geoffrey before his betrothal to the widowed Empress Matilda, daughter of King Henry II of England. He was only fifteen-years-old at the time and was knighted in England prior to the wedding. Matilda was the heir to the English crown by this point, and Geoffrey should have become king consort upon her coronation. In 1128, Geoffrey became the count of Anjou since his father had left for Jerusalem to be crowned king alongside his wife.
Geoffrey ruled as a happy and handsome ruler, though some sources claim he was cold and selfish. When Henry died in England, Matilda claimed the English throne and, with Geoffrey, moved on Normandy. While parts of Normandy declared for her, the majority declared for Stephen of Blois, whom the English nobles had proclaimed king. Geoffrey began negotiating with counties that bordered Normandy in the hope that an alliance could be built against Stephen. Meanwhile, Matilda went to England in 1139 with a small army and was besieged at Arundel. Stephen was captured by Matilda's forces two years later and Matilda was proclaimed "Lady of the English." Stephen escaped and was also reproclaimed king. In Normandy, Geoffrey was conquering the entire duchy and assumed the title "Duke of Normandy" in 1444. He and his wife ruled as duke and duchess until 1149, when they gave over control to their son and heir, Henry. King Louis VII of France recognized the cession in 1150. Geoffrey was constantly at war with his own barons in Anjou, which hurt his position in Normandy and forced him to remain in France while Matilda was in England. Stephen died suddenly in 1151, although he was administered his last rights and gifted much of his private possessions to charities. Henry was proclaimed the English heir two years later and succeeded to the throne in 1154 as the first of the Plantagenet dynasty.
Summary: Although born to a French count, his father became king of Jerusalem suo uxoris when Geoffrey was in his late twenties. This prestige mixed with a lifetime of good fortune that culminated with his son, Henry, eventually naming his dynasty after Geoffrey. Not a lot is known about Geoffrey before his betrothal to the widowed Empress Matilda, daughter of King Henry II of England. He was only fifteen-years-old at the time and was knighted in England prior to the wedding. Matilda was the heir to the English crown by this point, and Geoffrey should have become king consort upon her coronation. In 1128, Geoffrey became the count of Anjou since his father had left for Jerusalem to be crowned king alongside his wife.
Geoffrey ruled as a happy and handsome ruler, though some sources claim he was cold and selfish. When Henry died in England, Matilda claimed the English throne and, with Geoffrey, moved on Normandy. While parts of Normandy declared for her, the majority declared for Stephen of Blois, whom the English nobles had proclaimed king. Geoffrey began negotiating with counties that bordered Normandy in the hope that an alliance could be built against Stephen. Meanwhile, Matilda went to England in 1139 with a small army and was besieged at Arundel. Stephen was captured by Matilda's forces two years later and Matilda was proclaimed "Lady of the English." Stephen escaped and was also reproclaimed king. In Normandy, Geoffrey was conquering the entire duchy and assumed the title "Duke of Normandy" in 1444. He and his wife ruled as duke and duchess until 1149, when they gave over control to their son and heir, Henry. King Louis VII of France recognized the cession in 1150. Geoffrey was constantly at war with his own barons in Anjou, which hurt his position in Normandy and forced him to remain in France while Matilda was in England. Stephen died suddenly in 1151, although he was administered his last rights and gifted much of his private possessions to charities. Henry was proclaimed the English heir two years later and succeeded to the throne in 1154 as the first of the Plantagenet dynasty.
Date of Death: 7 September 1151
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