Geoffrey V "le Bon" PLANTAGENET Count d'Anjou [Parents] [scrapbook] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-4680 was born 7, 8 on 24 Aug 1113 in Anjou, France. He died 9, 10 on 7 Sep 1150 in Château-du-Loir, France. Geoffrey married (MRIN:2221) Concubine PLANTAGENT-5438.
Other marriages:GERMANY, Matilda (Maud) Empress of Lady of the English
From Magna Charta / Wurtz FHL British 942 D2wj Pt. 1-2
537. MATILDA of England, called also Maud, born in 1102, died 30 January 1164. In 1114 she became the wife of Henry V, Emperor of Germany, who died without issue 23 May 1125. Her second husband, to whom she was married 3 April 1127, was No. 69 Geoffrey, surnamed Plantagenet, Count d'Anjou, born 1113, died 1151. The friends of Geoffrey were unaware that their playful nickname for him of Plantagenet would live through the years. The story is told that while disguised in battle, and to make himself known to his followers, he leaned from his horse and grasped a sprig of ‘plante de genet, the common broom corn which grew thickly on the heath, and thrust it in his helmet. Thus he derived his popular title.
A noble person was Geoffrey, one of the most powerful princes of France, with "elegant and courtly manners and a reputation for gallantry in the field." His alliance with England came about in consequence of the great tragedy of the sinking of the famous White Ship. When it struck the hidden rocks off the coast of France, young William, Duke of Normandy, the heir apparent to the English throne, and three hundred others, were drowned in the freezing November waters, the Butcher of Rouen alone being saved.
King Henry I of England, in despair over the loss of his only son, sought the aid of Geoffrey Plantagenet and personally invested him with the order of Knighthood. Approving the marriage of his daughter Matilda with Geoffrey, King Henry expressed the hope that all Englishmen would give them full allegiance. The Barons took the oath to uphold the succession of Matilda and Geoffrey and their children after them. When, therefore, the sons Henry, Geoffrey and William were born, their grandfather thought the succession to the throne secure. However, "King Henry was no sooner dead than all the plans he had labored at so long crumbled away like a hollow heap of sand." Yet eventually, on 19 December 1154, Geoffrey's eldest son was crowned as King Henry II. and thus Geoffrey heads the line of English Kings which bear his Plantagenet name.
As eldest son of Fulk V. King of Jerusalem, and his wife, Ermengarde, daughter of Helias, Count of Maine, Geoffrey was of the House of Angevin Kings which had been prominent for three centuries. His noble character adds prestige to this illustrious background and merits the recognition given it by the formation of The Plantagenet Society, early instituted to commemorate these important historic events.
