NameCount Geoffrey “the Fair” PLANTAGENET V Of Anjou/Duke Of Normandy, 27G Grandfather
Birth24 Aug 1113, ?, Anjou (former province), France
Death7 Sep 1151, Chateau-Du-Loir, France
BurialSt. Julian’s Church, Le Mans, Anjou
Misc. Notes
Geoffrey became the count of Anjou in 1129 and held that title for twenty-two years. When King Henry I died in 1135, Geoffrey claimed and conquered Normandy, albeit nine years later, in his wife’s name. Matilda and Geoffrey tried to conquer England and take the throne from her cousin, King Stephen, but their attempts failed.
In 1147, Geoffrey went on a Crusade with Louis VII of France. Geoffrey died in 1151. The name Plantagenet is derived from the Latin “planta” (meaning sprig) and “genista” (meaning broom plant), in reference to the sprig that Geoffrey always wore in his cap.
Burke says the marriage was 3 Apr 1127. The name Plantagenet, according to Rapin, came from Fulk the Great being stung from remorse for some wicked action, and in order to atone for it he went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and was scourged before the Holy Sepulchre with broom twigs. Earlier authorities say it was because Geoffrey bore a branch of yellow broom (Planta-genistae) in his helm.
He was the Duke of Normandy from 1144-1150
Spouses
Birthca 1104, Winchester, Hampshire, England
Death10 Sep 1167, Abbey Of Notre Dame Des Pres, Rouen
BurialRouen Cathedral, Rouen, France
Misc. Notes
She was designated Henry’s heir, and on his death in 1135, Stephen siezed the throne and Matilda invaded England in 1139 inaugurating a period of inconclusive civil war. She and her second husband (Geoffrey) captured Normandy and in 1152 the Treaty of Wallingford recognized Henry as Stephen’s heir. Burke says she was betrothed in her eighth year (1119) to Henry.
Matilda, b. 1104; d. 10 Sep. 1167; m. 3 apr. 1127, Geoffrey V “Plantagenet” (118-25), Count of Anjou, Duke of Normandy; b. 24 Aug. 1113; d. 7 Sep. 1151. (She was the widow of Henry V, Emperor of Germany, who d. s. p. 22 May 1125). (G. E. Cokayne’s (new revised) “Complete Peerage,” vol.s I-XII pt. 2, 1910-1959 - V, 736; James Balfour Paul, “Scots Peerage,” 9 volumes, 1904-1914 - I, 1-2; “Century Cyclopedia of Names.”)
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