Geoffrey II of Anjou facts for kids

Geoffrey II, also known as Martel (which means "the Hammer"), was an important French nobleman. He was the Count of Anjou from 1040 to 1060. He was the last count in his family line to rule Anjou directly. After him, the title went to his nephew, Geoffrey III, Count of Anjou.

Early Life and Beginnings

Geoffrey was born on October 14, 1006. His father was Fulk the Black, and his mother was Hildegard of Lorraine. Around 1032, Geoffrey married Agnes of Burgundy.

When he was the Count of Vendome, Geoffrey helped a man named Herbert Braco. They were fighting against Gervais, who was the Bishop of Le Mans. During this short war, Geoffrey broke his hip. Because of this injury, he had to give some of his loyal followers, called vassals, to Bishop Gervais.

Becoming the Count of Anjou

Geoffrey Martel became the Count of Anjou in 1040 after his father passed away. He worked with King Henry I of France to fight against Count Theobald of Blois. As the power of Blois became weaker, the power of Anjou grew stronger.

However, Geoffrey became very powerful. By the late 1040s, King Henry I started to see Geoffrey as a threat and turned against him.

Expanding His Lands

Around 1047, Geoffrey began looking north to gain more land. He attacked the castle of Château-du-Loir, which belonged to Bishop Gervais. Geoffrey did not capture the whole castle, but he did burn part of it. He also managed to capture Bishop Gervais and put him in prison.

In 1049, a big meeting of church leaders, called the Council of Reims, ordered Geoffrey to release the bishop. If he didn't, they would excommunicate him, which meant he would be kicked out of the church. Even when the pope excommunicated Geoffrey the next year, he still refused to let the bishop go.

Geoffrey then took over the castles of Alençon and Domfront. These castles were on the southern border of Normandy. From there, he started to raid into Normandy. In 1051, Duke William of Normandy moved against Domfront. He could not defeat the strong fortress right away. So, William started a siege around the castle to force it to surrender. This made Geoffrey leave Maine and go back to Anjou.

Shifting Alliances

In early 1052, there was a big change in politics. King Henry I made peace with Geoffrey Martel. At the same time, the king turned against Duke William of Normandy.

Also in 1052, the Count of Maine, Hugh, died. Geoffrey took control of Maine without a fight and ruled it until his death. Bishop Gervais finally bought his freedom from Geoffrey. He gave Geoffrey Château-du-Loir and promised not to return to Le Mans. Gervais then went to the court of Duke William of Normandy.

Another event in 1052 brought King Henry and Count Geoffrey together against William of Normandy. William of Arques, who was a loyal follower and relative of Duke William, rebelled. In 1053, the king and Geoffrey of Anjou entered Normandy. They wanted to help William of Arques against Duke William, who was besieging the castle of Arques. But their attempt to help failed, and King Henry and Count Geoffrey had to leave Normandy.

In 1054, the King and Geoffrey Martel raided Normandy again. The king's brother, Odo, led a second army that attacked Normandy from the west. Odo's forces were defeated, which made the king and Count Geoffrey leave Normandy once more.

Final Years and Death

In 1058, King Henry visited Geoffrey in Anjou. They planned their next attacks on Normandy. In August of that year, they led a combined army into Normandy. Their goal was to steal and burn as much as they could.

However, at a crossing of the Dives River, their army was caught by the rising tide. Geoffrey and the king were on the other side of the river when Duke William attacked and defeated the main part of their army. All Geoffrey and the king could do was leave Normandy as fast as they could.

King Henry died in the summer of 1060. Geoffrey Martel died in November of the same year. Their deaths brought an end to their wars.

Family Life

Geoffrey II had several wives:

• His first wife was Agnes of Burgundy, Duchess of Aquitaine. She was the widow of William V of Aquitaine. They married in 1032 but divorced by 1050.
• His second wife was named Grace.
• His third wife was Adèle, the daughter of a "Count Odo" of Blois.
• His last wife was Adelaide "La Teutonne".

Geoffrey died without any children.

See also

In Spanish: Godofredo II de Anjou para niños