Geoffrey (archbishop of York) facts for kids

Geoffrey (born around 1152 – died 12 December 1212) was a son of King Henry II of England. He was born outside of marriage. Geoffrey became a church leader, first as the chosen Bishop of Lincoln and later as the archbishop of York. His mother's name might have been Ykenai.

Before becoming a bishop, Geoffrey held several smaller church jobs. In 1173, he became the Bishop of Lincoln, but he wasn't officially made a priest until 1189. From 1173 to 1174, he led a military campaign in northern England. This helped stop a rebellion by his half-brothers, who were born within marriage. During this campaign, William the Lion, the King of Scots, was captured.

By 1182, Pope Lucius III told Geoffrey he had to either become a full bishop or give up his position. Geoffrey chose to resign and instead became the Lord Chancellor, a top government official. He was the only one of King Henry II's sons present when the king died.

Geoffrey's half-brother, Richard I, became king and then chose Geoffrey to be the archbishop of York. Richard likely did this to make Geoffrey a priest and remove him as a possible rival for the throne. After some disagreements, Geoffrey officially became archbishop in 1191. He soon had a conflict with William Longchamp, who was acting as regent (ruler in the king's place) in England. Geoffrey was arrested and briefly held in Dover Castle. However, other powerful leaders soon removed Longchamp from his position, and Geoffrey could then go to York.

Geoffrey spent much of his time as archbishop in arguments with his half-brothers, first Richard and then John. John became king in 1199. Geoffrey also argued with other bishops under him, his church officials, and other clergy in his area. His last big argument with King John was in 1207. Geoffrey refused to let a new tax be collected and was forced to leave England and live in France. He died there five years later.

Early Life and Church Roles

Henry II with Thomas Becket, from a 13th-century illuminated manuscript

Geoffrey was likely born around 1152. This was before his father, Henry II, married Eleanor of Aquitaine. He was probably named after his grandfather, Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou. Even though he is often called "Plantagenet" today, that name wasn't used during his lifetime. We know his birth year because people at the time said he was about 20 when chosen as bishop in 1173. They also said he was about 40 when he became archbishop in 1191.

The identity of Geoffrey's mother is not completely clear. Some sources suggest her name was Ykenai. It is believed that Geoffrey was the oldest of Henry's children, including those born within marriage. Geoffrey grew up with Henry's other children. There is no clear sign that Henry tried to hide that Geoffrey was his son.

By September 1171, Geoffrey was an Archdeacon of Lincoln. This was a church official role in the diocese of Lincoln. He probably kept this job until he was confirmed as bishop-elect in 1175. He also received income from land owned by a church in London. However, he didn't seem to do much work for either of these jobs.

There are signs that Geoffrey studied canon law, which is church law, at a school in Northampton. He might have also taught in Paris in the early 1170s. He also served as a papal judge-delegate, helping the Pope make decisions.

Becoming Bishop of Lincoln

Pope Alexander III first refused to confirm Geoffrey as Bishop of Lincoln in 1173. So, Geoffrey traveled to Rome in October 1174 to get the Pope's approval. By July 1175, he was confirmed as bishop. However, he was not yet officially made a priest because he was too young for the role. Geoffrey's young age was one reason the Pope hesitated. His birth outside of marriage was another issue. Normally, this would stop someone from holding a church office. But the Pope gave him special permission to allow it.

In 1173 and early 1174, Geoffrey led a military campaign in northern England. He supported his father, King Henry II, against the Scots. The Scots were helping Geoffrey's half-brothers who were rebelling against their father. This campaign led to the capture of William the Lion, the King of Scots. This happened at the Battle of Alnwick. Geoffrey also captured several castles during this time. After this campaign, King Henry II praised Geoffrey, saying he was the only one of his sons who truly proved himself.

After the Pope confirmed Geoffrey as bishop in 1175, he visited Lincoln on August 1, 1175. He then went to study in Tours, France. While Geoffrey was the bishop-elect, another bishop, Adam, probably handled the daily church duties in Lincoln. This was because Geoffrey was not yet officially consecrated as a bishop. Geoffrey did help the church's finances by getting back some lost lands and valuable church items. However, in 1180, he taxed his diocese heavily, which even his father criticized. In 1181, Pope Lucius III became concerned that Geoffrey was not becoming a full bishop. He demanded that Geoffrey either be consecrated or resign.

Serving as Chancellor

Geoffrey officially resigned as Bishop of Lincoln on January 6, 1182. He chose to resign rather than be ordained as a priest, as the Pope had ordered. King Henry II had already named him Lord Chancellor of England in 1181. This was after Geoffrey said he would resign the bishopric. Even though he resigned as bishop, Geoffrey continued to hold several church jobs at once, which was usually against church rules. These jobs included Treasurer of York and Archdeacon of Rouen.

King Henry also gave Geoffrey two castles in France and lands in England and Normandy. These lands were worth a lot of money. Although Geoffrey was Chancellor, his name appears in only a few official documents, mainly between 1182 and 1185. After 1185, he doesn't appear in documents until 1187. It's possible he spent some time outside his father's lands. Some sources suggest that other kings considered Geoffrey as a possible ruler for their own kingdoms. He was even offered the throne of Jerusalem.

In 1187, Prince Richard and King Philip II of France declared war on King Henry. Geoffrey was given command of a quarter of the English army. In 1189, Geoffrey and his father were forced out of Le Mans, Henry's birthplace. Geoffrey did not attend the meeting where Henry surrendered to Philip. He didn't want to see his father humiliated. However, he did help care for his father in his final days. Before Henry died, he wished that Geoffrey would become either Archbishop of York or Bishop of Winchester. After Henry's death, Geoffrey used his father's seal to make appointments to York. Geoffrey then took Henry's body to Fontevrault Abbey for burial. He was the only one of Henry II's sons present when his father died.

Becoming Archbishop of York

Early Challenges

Richard named Geoffrey Archbishop of York on July 20, 1189, soon after becoming king. The official election happened on August 10. What exactly happened with the York position is a bit confusing because different historical accounts disagree. Some say Geoffrey didn't want the job, while others say he quickly took control of the church lands. Either way, Geoffrey's official consecration didn't happen until much later. After his election, he either resigned or was removed from his Chancellor job.

Richard likely gave York to Geoffrey to force him to become a full priest. This would make him less of a threat for the throne. Richard also made Geoffrey promise to stay out of England for three years. This was during the time Richard expected to be away on a crusade. Later, the king released Geoffrey from this promise.

The church officials at York disagreed with Geoffrey's appointment. They said the election was not valid because some key people were not there. Richard's mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, supported another candidate. She reportedly disliked Geoffrey because of his birth. As a result, Richard kept control over the archbishopric's lands. He didn't confirm Geoffrey's election until a meeting on September 16. At that meeting, Richard also appointed three men to jobs in the York area. Geoffrey objected to these appointments. Because of this, the king took away Geoffrey's lands until he agreed and became a priest.

Geoffrey officially became a priest on September 23, 1189. The ceremony took place in Southwell. Geoffrey then went to York. But he refused to let one of Richard's appointees take his job until the Pope approved his election. Richard then sent Geoffrey to escort the King of Scots from Scotland to Canterbury. It was at Canterbury in December that the Pope finally approved Geoffrey's election. The Pope also rejected the complaints against Geoffrey. However, the king still forced Geoffrey to accept the royal appointments. He also made Geoffrey pay a fine of £2000 before his lands were returned.

In early 1190, Geoffrey stopped church ceremonies in the cathedral. He also removed some officials from the church because of a dispute. Richard, who was in France preparing for the Crusade, ordered Geoffrey to come to him. Richard insisted on immediate payment of the fine. When Geoffrey couldn't pay, Richard took his lands again. He also increased the fine and demanded Geoffrey promise not to visit England for three years. The dispute was finally settled when the Pope stepped in and approved Geoffrey's election again. This led to a reconciliation between the king and the archbishop in June. Geoffrey's lands were returned to him in July after he paid part of his fine.

Consecration and More Challenges

Dover Castle, where Geoffrey was briefly imprisoned

Geoffrey was officially consecrated as archbishop on August 18, 1191, in Tours, France. This happened after the Pope gave permission, thanks to the king and his mother, Eleanor. At his consecration, Geoffrey received his pallium, a special scarf that symbolizes an archbishop's authority.

In September 1191, after his consecration, Geoffrey tried to go to York. But he was stopped at Dover by agents of William Longchamp, the regent. Even though Geoffrey sought safety in a church, he was dragged out and imprisoned in Dover Castle. Longchamp claimed Geoffrey had not sworn loyalty to King Richard. This was likely an excuse to remove a rival. Longchamp's actions were seen as too extreme. People were outraged, comparing it to what happened to Thomas Becket, who was killed after being dragged from an altar. Geoffrey was released and took part in a meeting where Longchamp was removed from his position. Geoffrey was then officially welcomed at York on November 1, 1191.

While still arguing with Longchamp, Geoffrey also started a feud with Hugh du Puiset, the Bishop of Durham. This was probably about Geoffrey's authority over Durham, which was under York. The dispute lasted for years, with many appeals to Rome and the king. York had been without an archbishop for a while, and Puiset was used to having full authority. After Geoffrey's consecration, he called Puiset to a church meeting. Puiset refused to attend and was removed from the church by Geoffrey. An attempt to settle the issue in March 1192 failed. The dispute was finally settled in October 1199, when Puiset accepted Geoffrey's authority.

Geoffrey also caused offense by trying to have his special cross carried before him in the area of Canterbury. This suggested that York was as important as Canterbury. In this rivalry, Geoffrey was the first Archbishop of York to call himself "Primate of England." This was in opposition to Canterbury's title of "Primate of all England."

Geoffrey faced ongoing opposition from some of his church officials. They were unhappy that he gave a large part of York's money for Richard's ransom. They also disliked some of his appointments. Geoffrey was accused of wrongdoing and neglecting his duties. In return, he removed the leaders from the church more than once. Geoffrey also had problems with his choices for Dean of York. His first choice was his half-brother Peter, but the church officials opposed him. His second choice, Simon of Apulia, refused to give up the job when Geoffrey wanted to give it to someone else. Simon was supported by the church officials, who elected him. Geoffrey appealed to the Pope, but Simon managed to get the Pope's confirmation as Dean of York.

Quarrels with John, Hubert Walter, and Richard

When Prince John rebelled in 1193, Geoffrey and Hugh du Puiset put aside their feud to stop the uprising. Geoffrey strengthened Doncaster's defenses and helped Puiset. In 1194, Geoffrey went into debt to the king to buy the job of Sheriff of Yorkshire for himself.

Later that year, Geoffrey began to argue with Hubert Walter over which church leader had "primacy" (highest authority) in England. Walter had his cross carried before him in York, showing his claim. Geoffrey responded by having his own cross carried in Canterbury. King Richard did not punish Geoffrey for this. He even gave back some of Geoffrey's lands. Before Richard left England in May 1194, he appointed Walter as Justiciar (a chief royal officer). That summer, Walter investigated Geoffrey's actions, and Geoffrey's lands were taken again. Geoffrey appealed to the king, who was in France. Richard overruled Walter, gave Geoffrey his lands back, and pardoned him in return for a payment.

In January 1195, Geoffrey was ordered to appear in Rome to answer various charges. If he didn't appear by June 1, he would be suspended from his office. More arguments with his church officials followed. Geoffrey protested to the king after Richard stopped his trip to Rome. In return, the king took Geoffrey's lands again. This left Geoffrey vulnerable when Walter held a church council in York in June 1195. Geoffrey managed to delay his case in Rome until November 1. But he still couldn't attend. This led Pope Celestine to order Geoffrey's suspension on December 23, 1195. This finally forced Geoffrey to answer the charges. He traveled to Rome in 1196. His accusers could not prove their claims, and the Pope restored him to office.

Geoffrey argued with Richard in 1196 in France while trying to return to England. Richard forbade him from managing York, and Geoffrey returned to Rome until 1198. An attempt to make peace with Richard failed. Geoffrey refused to approve the king's appointments in York without papal approval. Finally, Pope Innocent III ordered on April 28, 1199, that Geoffrey be restored to his lands once he paid his debts to the king. Innocent also ordered that any royal appointments in York would need papal approval.

Under King John

After John became king in 1199, he decided to give Geoffrey back his church lands. However, John continued to receive the income until Geoffrey returned from Rome. Some of Geoffrey's opponents in his diocese resigned, and for a short time, there was peace in York. Geoffrey was often with the king in 1199, and they seemed to get along well into 1200.

In October 1200, Geoffrey refused to allow a land tax called carucage to be collected on his property. His lands were taken in return. He then removed the new sheriff of Yorkshire from the church for damaging Geoffrey's lands. In November 1200, Geoffrey and John made peace, allowing Geoffrey to get his lands back. But Geoffrey's continued refusal to allow the tax collection caused the peace to break down. In January 1201, John made peace with his half-brother again, but it didn't last. Geoffrey still refused the tax. John then demanded payment for the sheriff's job from Richard's reign. This forced Geoffrey to lift his church removal and offer another payment for peace, which happened in May 1201.

But this peace was also short-lived. Arguments broke out over appointments in the York diocese. With Pope Innocent's support, Geoffrey was able to get some of his own candidates appointed. Geoffrey also argued with some monasteries in his diocese. Most of these conflicts were about disputed appointments.

Geoffrey submitted to John in 1206, and his lands were returned. But in 1207, Geoffrey led the English clergy in refusing to pay royal taxes. He was forced to leave England and go into exile. Geoffrey removed anyone from the church who tried to collect the tax in his area. But the king took Geoffrey's lands in return. Geoffrey again got the support of Pope Innocent, who ordered John to give Geoffrey's possessions back. However, the archbishop had already fled to France. A writer from that time said that the English church considered Geoffrey a martyr because he stood up against King John.

Death and Legacy

Scenes from the Life of Christ in the Leiden St Louis Psalter made for Geoffrey

Geoffrey died while still in exile in Normandy on December 12, 1212. He was buried at a monastery near Rouen, where he had been living. His tomb was still there in 1767. He may have become a monk before he died.

Even though his time as archbishop was mostly marked by conflicts, Geoffrey did make some changes to how his diocese was run. He created the job of chancellor. He also inspired loyalty from some of his staff. While he made enemies of several bishops and clergy in his area, he also gained the friendship and support of others, including Pope Innocent III.

One historian described Geoffrey as "quarrelsome and undiplomatic." Another said he was "a constant source of danger," always arguing with officials and the Crown.

Geoffrey might have wanted to become King of England. This could explain why his two half-brothers, Richard and John, were sometimes harsh towards him. His military skills, shown in the 1173–1174 rebellion, also made Richard uneasy about Geoffrey's possible plans. Geoffrey was known to be ambitious. One historian called him a "formidable bastard." Another said he "inherited the bad temper of the other Plantagenets."

Geoffrey supported learning and employed scholars throughout his life. One of them, Honorius of Kent, became an Archdeacon. The Leiden St Louis Psalter is a beautifully decorated book made for Geoffrey. It was likely created in northern England in the 1190s. After Geoffrey's death, it passed to Blanche of Castile and was used to teach the future saint King Louis IX of France how to read.

Images for kids

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  Henry II with Thomas Becket, from a 13th-century illuminated manuscript

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  Dover Castle, where Geoffrey was briefly imprisoned

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  Scenes from the Life of Christ in the Leiden St Louis Psalter made for Geoffrey