Geoffrey IV of Joinville facts for kids
Geoffrey IV (died August 1190) was known as the Younger. He was the Lord of Joinville for two years, from 1188 until he died during the Third Crusade. Some people also called him Valet.
His Family and Early Life
Geoffrey was the only son of Geoffrey III the Old and his mother, Felicity of Brienne. His mother had been married before, but her first husband died. Geoffrey was born from her second marriage sometime before 1141.
As his father got older, Geoffrey started helping him manage the lands of Joinville. By 1179, he was already taking on many of his father's duties. He officially became the Lord of Joinville when his father passed away in 1188.
Before he became lord, Geoffrey married Héluis, who was the daughter of a famous crusader named Guy I of Dampierre. They had eight children: six sons and two daughters. Their sons were:
- Geoffrey V (died around 1204), who took over as Lord of Joinville after his father.
- Robert, who became Lord of Sailly. He went on the Fourth Crusade but died on the way in 1203.
- William (died 1226), who became an important church leader, serving as a bishop and later an archbishop.
- Simon (died 1233), who became Lord of Sailly and then Lord of Joinville.
- Guy, who became Lord of Sailly after his brother Simon.
- Andrew, who joined the Knights Templar, a famous group of warrior monks.
His daughters were:
- Felicity (active between 1195 and 1237), who married Pierre de Bourlémont.
- Yolanda (died 1233), who married Ralph, Count of Soissons.
Being a Lord in Joinville
Geoffrey's father had an important job called "seneschal" for the county of Champagne. A seneschal was like a chief officer or manager for a count. It's not clear if Geoffrey IV also held this job, as there are no records showing him as seneschal.
In 1188, Geoffrey made an important decision about the Saint-Laurent church in Joinville. He said it was his family's special church and promised that he and his future family would not build another chapel in their castle. His wife and children were there to witness this promise. This shows how close the Joinville family was to the Broyes family, as their family crests were very similar.
In 1189, Geoffrey gave some of his land to a monastery called the abbey of Saint-Urbain. In return, the monks promised to hold a special church service every year to remember his father. He also confirmed a gift his father had made to start a new church building. At the same time, he gave some of his harvest earnings (called "tithes") to the Saint-Laurent church. This was to pay for special services for himself and his wife, and for two teachers who had taught his son William.
Later that year, Geoffrey helped solve a disagreement between the people of Vaucouleurs (a town he owned) and a monastery. He also admitted he was wrong in a dispute with another church group. He had built a mill that caused their mill to lose business, and he paid them back generously.
Going on Crusade and His Death
All these religious acts in 1188 and 1189 were preparations for Geoffrey to join the Third Crusade. This was a big military journey to the Holy Land (modern-day Middle East) to fight for control of important religious sites. Count Henry II of Champagne had promised to go, and Geoffrey was among the nobles who decided to leave even before the Count. Some records say he joined the army of the French king, Philip Augustus.
Geoffrey went on the crusade with his oldest son. He arrived during the siege of Acre, a long and difficult battle. He died there in August 1190. It seems he died from an illness or a serious injury, as he had time to settle his last affairs with the church before he passed away.
Before he died, Geoffrey gave some land to two more monasteries. These acts also list the important people who traveled with him, including his chaplain and several knights who were loyal to him.
While Geoffrey was away on the crusade, his wife Héluis managed their lands and people. She was still alive in 1195.
