Geoffrey I of Anjou
Encyclopedia
Geoffrey I of Anjou known as Grisegonelle ("Greymantle"), was count of Anjou from 960 to 987. He succeeded his father Fulk II
. He cultivated the loyal support of a group of magnates, some of whom he inherited from his father, others whom he recruited: men such as Alberic of Vihiers, Cadilo of Blaison, Roger I (le "vieux") of Loudon, Joscelin of Rennes, castellan of Baugé, Suhard I of Craon, Tobert of Buzençais and members of the Bouchard clan, and encouraged them to see their own dynastic interests as tied to the success of the Angevin count. He succeeded in establishing a group of fideles upon whom his son, Fulk called "Nerra", was able to depend in establishing Anjou as a cohesive regional power in an age of territorial disintegration. In preparing the way, Geoffrey was the first count in the west of France to associate his son in the comital title.
Geoffrey allied with the Count of Nantes against the Count of Rennes, and allied with Hugh Capet, fearing an invasion by the Count of Blois
. He was one of the men responsible for bringing Hugh to the throne of France
.
(934–982), daughter of Robert of Vermandois
and Adelais de Vergy. Their children were:
He married, secondly, to Adelaise de Chalon in Mar 979 and had one child:
Fulk II of Anjou
Fulk II of Anjou , son of Fulk the Red, was count of Anjou from 942 to his death.He was often at war with the Bretons. He seems to have been a man of culture, a poet and an artist. He was succeeded by his son Geoffrey Greymantle....
. He cultivated the loyal support of a group of magnates, some of whom he inherited from his father, others whom he recruited: men such as Alberic of Vihiers, Cadilo of Blaison, Roger I (le "vieux") of Loudon, Joscelin of Rennes, castellan of Baugé, Suhard I of Craon, Tobert of Buzençais and members of the Bouchard clan, and encouraged them to see their own dynastic interests as tied to the success of the Angevin count. He succeeded in establishing a group of fideles upon whom his son, Fulk called "Nerra", was able to depend in establishing Anjou as a cohesive regional power in an age of territorial disintegration. In preparing the way, Geoffrey was the first count in the west of France to associate his son in the comital title.
Geoffrey allied with the Count of Nantes against the Count of Rennes, and allied with Hugh Capet, fearing an invasion by the Count of Blois
Count of Blois
The County of Blois was originally centred on Blois, south of Paris, France. One of the chief cities, along with Blois itself, was Chartres. Blois was associated with Champagne, Châtillon , and later with the French royal family, to whom the county passed in 1391...
. He was one of the men responsible for bringing Hugh to the throne of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Family and children
He married Adele of MeauxAdele of Meaux
Adele of Meaux Also known as "Adele of Vermandois" was a daughter of Robert of Vermandois and Adelaide-Werra de Chalon.-Marriage:...
(934–982), daughter of Robert of Vermandois
Robert of Vermandois
Robert of Vermandois was Count of Meaux after his father, Heribert II, Comte de Vermandois and his wife, Adele of France....
and Adelais de Vergy. Their children were:
- Gottfried of Anjou (-987)
- Fulk III of AnjouFulk III of AnjouFulk III , called Nerra after his death, was Count of Anjou from 21 July 987 to his death. He was the son of Geoffrey Greymantle and Adelaide of Vermandois....
. - Ermengarde of AnjouErmengarde of Anjou, Duchess of BrittanyErmengarde of Anjou, Duchess of Brittany was the daughter of Geoffrey I of Anjou and Adele of Vermandois.She married Conan I of Rennes, Count of Rennes and Duke of Brittany and had the following children:...
(b. 965), married Conan I of RennesConan I of RennesConan I was the count of Rennes from 958 and duke of Brittany from 990 to his death. He became ruler of Brittany after a period of civil and political unrest, having first succeeded his father Judicael Berengar, as count of Rennes....
. - Gerberge (b. 973), married Count William IV of Angoulême.
He married, secondly, to Adelaise de Chalon in Mar 979 and had one child:
- Maurice of Anjou (980 - 1012), married to a daughter of Aimery, Count of Saintes and had one son.
Sources
- Mabille, Emile. Introduction aux chroniques des comtes d'Anjou (Paris) 1871.