Geoffrey of Lusignan facts for kids
Geoffrey of Lusignan was an important knight and lord who lived a long time ago, from before 1150 to May 1216. He was the Lord of Vouvant and Soubise. He also held the title of Count of Jaffa and Ascalon in the Holy Land. Through his wife, he became Lord of Mervent and Moncontour as well.
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Geoffrey's Early Life and Family
Geoffrey was part of a powerful family called the House of Lusignan. His father was Hugh VIII of Lusignan, and his mother was Bourgogne de Rancon. She was the Lady of Vouvant and Civray. Geoffrey had two younger brothers who became very famous: Aimery of Cyprus and Guy of Lusignan.
Like many in his family, Geoffrey was often in conflict with the House of Plantagenet. This was the ruling family of England at the time. The Lusignans believed they should control a region called the County of La Marche. However, the Plantagenets supported another family, the Montgommerys, who held it.
In 1168, Geoffrey and his family rebelled against King Henry II of England. They even killed one of his trusted advisors. Later, in 1173, Geoffrey supported Duke Richard I (who would later become King Richard the Lionheart) in a revolt against his own father, King Henry II.
When the County of La Marche was sold to King Henry II in 1177, Geoffrey led his family in another fight. In 1183, he joined forces with Henry the Young King and others against Duke Richard. But the young king died unexpectedly, and Geoffrey had to surrender to Duke Richard.
Geoffrey Joins the Third Crusade
As a punishment for his rebellious actions, Geoffrey had to promise to join a Crusade. This meant he would travel to the Holy Land to fight. He arrived there in 1188.
By this time, his brother, Guy of Lusignan, had become King of Jerusalem. This was a huge step up for their family. Geoffrey famously joked about it, saying, "Next, he wants to become God!"
However, the Crusader kingdom was in trouble. The powerful Sultan Saladin had defeated the Crusaders at the Battle of Hattin in 1187. King Guy was busy besieging the city of Acre. Geoffrey joined this important siege. On October 4, 1189, he bravely defended the Crusader camp from an attack by Saladin.
In June 1191, during the siege of Acre, Geoffrey openly challenged Conrad of Montferrat. This was to support his brother Guy in a disagreement. After Acre was captured, Geoffrey was given the title of Count of Jaffa on July 28, 1191. Jaffa was still controlled by Saladin at the time. It was later recaptured in 1192 by King Richard I, who had become an important ally for the Lusignans in the Holy Land. Geoffrey was known as a skilled crusader, famous for using a large battle-axe called a Dane axe.
In 1193, Geoffrey gave up his titles in the Holy Land and returned to Moncontour in France. His brother Aimery took over his lands there.
Returning to France and New Conflicts
Back home, Geoffrey quickly went back to fighting the Plantagenets. He supported King Philip II of France in his battles against King John of England. In 1202, Geoffrey joined Prince Arthur of Brittany and his nephew Hugh IX to attack the castle of Mirebeau. King John's mother, Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine, was staying there.
On July 31, 1202, King John launched a surprise attack to save his mother. Geoffrey reportedly didn't take the news of King John's approach seriously. He thought King John wasn't a very good knight and preferred to finish his breakfast. Because of this, Geoffrey, his nephew, and Prince Arthur were all captured by King John.
Luckily for Geoffrey, King John soon released the Lusignans. He hoped they would become his allies. But Geoffrey and his family immediately went back to fighting him, especially after Prince Arthur was sadly murdered in 1203.
In 1215, Geoffrey gave some of his property to the Fontevraud Abbey. He did this to help his soul after he died. He passed away the following year, in May 1216.
Geoffrey's Marriages and Children
Geoffrey of Lusignan was married two times during his life.
His first wife was Humberge, who was the daughter of Viscount Aimar V of Limoges. They had one son:
- Hugh: He is mentioned in a document from 1200. He was likely older than his half-brother Geoffrey.
Geoffrey's second wife was Eustachie Chabot. They married before May 4, 1200. With Eustachie, he had three sons:
- Geoffrey II: He became Lord of Vouvant, Mervent, Moncontour, and Fontenay. He also became Viscount of Châtellerault through his marriage.
- Guillaume: He married Marquise de Mauléon around 1226. They had two children:
- Guillaume: He was killed in a battle with his father.
- Valence: She married Hugues II Larchevêque.
- Aimery: He was captured in a battle in 1230 but was released soon after. He married Olive, daughter of Aalais of Piougier.
