Geoffrey de Mandeville, Earl of Essex facts for kids

Geoffrey de Mandeville II, 1st Earl of Essex (died September 1144) was an important person during the time of King Stephen of England. A historian once called him a perfect example of the wild and lawless times during King Stephen's rule. However, people have debated this idea since the late 1900s.

Geoffrey's Early Life and Rise to Power

Geoffrey took over from his father, William de Mandeville, sometime before 1129. His family's lands in Essex were controlled by the King. This was because his father owed money to the crown. Part of this debt might have come from a large fine in 1101. King Henry I was upset when a political prisoner, Ranulph Flambard, escaped from the Tower of London. William was in charge of the Tower at that time.

Geoffrey also claimed land from his mother's father, Eudo Dapifer. The King held these lands too.

After King Henry I died in 1135, two people fought for the English throne. Geoffrey supported Stephen at first. Around 1140, Stephen made him the Earl of Essex. By 1140 or 1141, Stephen had also given back the valuable lands in Essex to Geoffrey.

Geoffrey started a monastery (a place for monks) called Walden Priory in Walden, Essex. He also built a castle there. He also helped Hurley Priory in Berkshire, which his grandfather Geoffrey de Mandeville I had started.

Changing Sides and Rebellion

In 1141, King Stephen was defeated and captured at Lincoln. Like many other powerful lords, Earl Geoffrey then supported Stephen's rival, Empress Matilda. She let him keep control of the Tower of London. She also forgave the large debts his father owed the crown. She gave him lands in Normandy and made him the Sheriff of Essex and Hertfordshire, Middlesex, and London.

When Stephen was set free in December 1141, Earl Geoffrey went back to supporting him. Historians have studied the documents Geoffrey received from King Stephen and Empress Matilda. It seems Geoffrey might have been playing both sides to get what he wanted. Or, perhaps both Stephen and Matilda wanted his support.

In 1143, the King arrested Earl Geoffrey. To avoid being executed, Geoffrey gave up his castles at Pleshey and Saffron Walden. He also gave up control of the Tower of London to Stephen. Because of this, Earl Geoffrey started a rebellion.

Outlaw Life and Death

In 1143 and 1144, Earl Geoffrey lived as a rebel and a bandit. He used the Isle of Ely and Ramsey Abbey as his main bases in the fen-country. King Stephen's forces surrounded him. Geoffrey died in September 1144 while attacking Burwell Castle. He was hit by an arrow during a small fight.

Because he had been excommunicated (removed from the church), he was not allowed to be buried at the monastery he had founded, Walden Priory. His body was wrapped in lead. Later, the Templar community in London accepted his body. He was buried inside the Temple Church in London. His son, Geoffrey III, arranged for a statue of him to be placed on the floor, which you can still see today.

Temple Church was badly damaged during World War Two bombings. Looters broke into its burial vaults. Many coffins were smashed, and bones were thrown on the floor. However, Geoffrey de Mandeville's skull was stolen. This made people suspect a private collector was responsible.

Why Geoffrey Was Important

Geoffrey's life is interesting for several reasons. The documents he received from King Stephen and Empress Matilda show what English lords wanted. The most important things he gained were control over offices and areas. This made Mandeville almost like a powerful ruler in Essex and Hertfordshire, Middlesex, and London. These powers were based on positions his ancestors had held.

His time as an outlaw shows the worst parts of the civil wars from 1140 to 1147. It's possible that what Mandeville did inspired the description of this period in the Peterborough Chronicle. This text says that "men said openly that Christ and his saints were asleep," meaning things were very bad. He took over Ramsey Abbey (near Peterborough) in 1143. He forced the monks out and used Ramsey as a base to attack the areas around it, including Cambridge and other smaller towns.

Family Life

Geoffrey married Rohese de Vere (born around 1110). She was the daughter of Aubrey de Vere II and the sister of the first Earl of Oxford. Geoffrey had four sons:

• Arnulf/Ernulf de Mandeville: He was not born in wedlock. He supported his father's rebellion and was sent away shortly after his father died. He came back to England, probably when King Henry II was ruling. He witnessed several documents signed by his half-brothers, who were the 2nd and 3rd Earls of Essex.
• Geoffrey III, 2nd Earl of Essex (died 1166): King Henry II made him Earl of Essex again.
• William II, 3rd Earl of Essex and Count of Aumale (died 1189)
• Robert (died before 1189)

Stories About Geoffrey

• Geoffrey's actions as an outlaw and his taking of Ramsey Abbey are part of the background for two of Ellis Peters' "Brother Cadfael" books: The Potter's Field and The Holy Thief.
• In his 1969 novel Knight in Anarchy, George Shipway writes about the life of Humphrey de Visdelou, who follows de Mandeville.
• Geoffrey de Mandeville is a character in the historical fiction book When Christ and His Saints Slept, by Sharon Kay Penman.