Origin and Appearance of Geoffrey Plantagenet
Geoffrey, eldest son of Fulk V. and Aremburg of Maine, inherited the finest mental and physical endowments of the Angevin house.…
Education and Early Character of Geoffrey
Beneath his winning exterior, Geoffrey possessed a considerable share of the quick wits of his race, sharpened by an unusually careful education.…
Anecdotes of Geoffrey’s Clemency and Wit
A biographer gathered many stories of Geoffrey from his intimates. His readiness to pardon the guilty was a favorite theme, though the instances reveal more vanity and chivalric d…
Geoffrey’s Lack of Steady Principle
Behind the romantic surface, Geoffrey lacked steady principle and genuine feeling. His imagination was sensitive, but his heart was cold; his impulses sprang from quick fancy rath…
The Marriage of Geoffrey and Matilda
Both Henry I. and Fulk hoped that the marriage of their children would produce a grandson uniting the blood of both houses, reconciling all claims and ending all feuds.…
The Barons’ Revolt Against Geoffrey
Geoffrey and Matilda separated little more than twelve months after their marriage, and she remained at Rouen for nearly two years.…
Geoffrey’s Suppression of the Revolt
Knowing he was not the first Angevin to shift for himself at fifteen, Geoffrey faced the danger with the promptitude and energy of a true Fulk Nerra descendant.…
Return of Matilda and Birth of Henry
Henry had joined Matilda in Normandy in summer 1130; in July of the following year they returned together to England.…
CHAPITRE V.
This fragment of Chapter V continues the narrative of Henry I’s final years, covering the birth of his grandson and the resulting succession arrangements, his cross-Channel journey to Normandy, the bitter quarrel with his daughter Matilda and her husband Geoffrey of Anjou over N…
Birth of Henry’s Grandson and the Succession Question
Henry regarded the birth of his grandson as the fulfilment of his dynastic hopes. The chief objection to Matilda’s succession—her sex—was greatly weakened by the fact that she cou…
The Great Council and Oath to Matilda
Henry promptly summoned another great council, at which the archbishops, bishops, earls and barons of the realm swore fealty to the Empress “and also to her little son whom he app…
Henry Crosses to Normandy
With the succession seemingly secured, Henry crossed over to Normandy at the beginning of August.…
Matilda’s Second Son Born in Rouen
In the spring Matilda joined her father at Rouen, and shortly before Whitsuntide her second son was born there.…
Geoffrey’s Claim to Norman Castles
Henry’s departure was eventually prompted by tidings of disturbance on the Welsh border, but his daughter Matilda set herself against his return.…
Conflict Between Geoffrey and Henry
Henry denied the claim and the Angevin temper flared up at once. Geoffrey attacked and burned the castle of Beaumont, whose lord was like himself a son-in-law of Henry, and behave…
Treason in Normandy
Henry found himself unable to leave Normandy because the land was full of treason. Many barons who had disguised their real feelings from awe of the stern old king had been gained…
Flight of William Talvas to Anjou
Roger’s castle of Conches was garrisoned by the king, and William Talvas was summoned to Rouen more than once but dared not appear.…
Matilda Parts from Her Father in Anger
The countess pleaded warmly with her father for the traitor’s pardon, but in vain. When she found him inexorable, she suddenly threw off the mask and revealed her true sympathies…
Henry’s Final Illness and Death
In the last week of November Henry fell sick while hunting in the Forest of Lions. Feeling his end near, he sent for his old friend Archbishop Hugh of Rouen to receive his confess…
End of the Conqueror’s Direct Male Line
With Henry died the direct male line of the Conqueror, for Duke Robert’s long captivity had ended a year before.…
Revival of the House of Blois
Suddenly an unexpected competitor sprang forth. A rivalry which had seemed dead for nearly a hundred years revived in a new form, and the house of Anjou, on the very eve of its tr…
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