Geoffrey FitzGeoffrey de Mandeville, 2nd Earl of Essex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Geoffrey de Mandeville
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Inverted arms of Geoffrey De Mandeville with a broken lance, symbolizing his death and excommunication
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| Born | c. 1191 |
| Died | 23 February 1216 |
| Spouse(s) | 1. Matilda filia Robert 2. Isabel of Gloucester |
| Father | Geoffrey Fitz Peter, 1st Earl of Essex |
| Mother | Beatrice de Say |
Geoffrey de Mandeville (born around 1191, died February 23, 1216) was an important English nobleman. He held the titles of the 2nd Earl of Essex and the 4th Earl of Gloucester. Geoffrey was known for being against King John. He was also one of the special people who promised to make sure King John followed the rules of the Magna Carta.
Contents
Who Was Geoffrey de Mandeville?
His Family Name
Geoffrey and his brother chose to use the last name Mandeville. This was because of their mother, Beatrice de Say. Beatrice was the granddaughter of another Beatrice de Mandeville. This older Beatrice was the sister of Geoffrey de Mandeville, the first Earl of Essex.
How He Became an Earl
In 1189, the older Beatrice inherited the Mandeville family lands and titles. This happened after her nephew, William de Mandeville, 3rd Earl of Essex, passed away. King Richard I allowed these lands and the important title of Earl to go to Beatrice's granddaughter's husband. This was Geoffrey's father, Geoffrey Fitz Peter, 1st Earl of Essex. When his father died in 1213, Geoffrey inherited the earldom of Essex.
Marriages and Titles
First Marriage
Geoffrey's first wife was Matilda. She was the daughter of Robert Fitzwalter. Robert Fitzwalter was a powerful leader who also opposed King John. Matilda and Geoffrey did not have any children together.
Second Marriage and New Titles
In 1214, Geoffrey gained another important title, the earldom of Gloucester. He also got many lands that came with this title. He received these through his marriage to Isabel of Gloucester. Isabel had been married to King John before, but their marriage was ended years earlier. King John made Geoffrey pay a huge amount of money, 20,000 marks, for this marriage and the lands. This was a very large sum for that time.
His Death
Geoffrey de Mandeville died in February 1216. He was hurt during a tournament, which was a kind of knightly competition. After his death, his brother, William FitzGeoffrey de Mandeville, 3rd Earl of Essex, became the next Earl. Geoffrey's wife, Isabel, quickly remarried Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent. However, she passed away just a few weeks after her new wedding.
