Geoffrey Martel’s Challenge and Flight
William pressed the siege through winter until the garrison summoned Geoffrey Martel for relief.…
Fall of Alençon and Domfront
Scarcely had Geoffrey turned his back when Alençon fell, and its fall was quickly followed by that of Domfront, ending the Angevin foothold in those two strongholds.
William Builds Ambrières
William transferred his engines of war to Ambrières on the Mayenne on Cenomannian ground, where he laid the foundations of a castle.…
The Momentous Angevin Feud Begins
These events opened the most momentous feud ever waged by the counts of Anjou. After the initial storm came a lull of nearly seven years, but Geoffrey’s power had suffered a shock…
Henry I Reverses His Policy
Henry I of France, who had once courted William’s friendship against Angevin pressure, reversed his policy once he saw William was the mightier prince, openly supporting treason i…
Geoffrey Martel’s Desertion of King Henry
The princes mustered at Mantes from every quarter save one: the count of Anjou was conspicuously absent, despite his fearsome reputation, and refused to risk encounter with the ma…
Rout of Mortemer and Its Aftermath
By deserting Henry at the critical moment Geoffrey escaped all share in the rout of Mortemer, but the subsequent peace included a clause authorizing William to make any conquests…
Geoffrey of Mayenne Submits to William
Geoffrey of Mayenne, lord of the lower town, urged his namesake and overlord to resist, receiving Geoffrey Martel’s boastful pledge.…
Troubles in Brittany and Nantes
Three years passed without further advance as Geoffrey’s energies dissipated in minor disputes.…
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