. A succession of Angevin counts named Geoffroi were instrumental in the development of an Angevin state from the 10th to the 12th century. Through their efforts, Anjou became a major territorial principality and gave rise to the Angevin empire of the 12th century.
Geoffroi I Grisgonelle (r. ca. 958-87) succeeded in dominating Nantes, exerted Angevin influence over Maine, acquired Loudun, and married his son to the heiress of Vendome. Loyal to his Robertian overlords, he died fighting to make Hugh Capet king of France in 987. He was succeeded by his son Foulques Nerra.
Nerra’s son, Geoffroi II Martel (r. 1040-60), consolidated Angevin control over the expanded Anjou left to him by his father. While an active campaigner, conquering Tours in 1044, his greatest accomplishments were in statecraft, creating the essential elements of Angevin government. He skillfully combined the tradition of Carolingian public rights with new feudal elements of vassalage and homage. Expanding the network of castles begun by his father, Martel kept his castellans under tight control. For as long as he was married to Agnes, widow of Duke William the Fat of Aquitaine, he was able to exercise considerable control over that region as well. When the marriage ended in divorce in 1052, he was still able to dominate Vendome and virtually ruled Maine until his death.
At Martel’s death, the countship went to his nephew Geoffroi III le Barbu (r. 106068), whose rule was a disaster for Anjou. His incompetence and military ineffectiveness soon alienated the Angevin nobility, including his brother, Foulques le Rechin (r. 10681109). After an abortive coup in 1067, Geoffroi was deposed and imprisoned by Foulques in 1068. The civil war between the brothers seriously shook comital control over the lords of Anjou.
By the countship of Geoffroi IV Plantagenet (r. 1129-51), the authority of the count had been much restored. Geoffroi continued the process of bringing his barons to heel. Aside from internal consolidation of comital power, Geoffroi began a phenomenal expansion of Angevin domination by marrying Matilda, daughter of King Henry I of England, in 1128. When Henry died in 1135, Matilda was the sole heiress to the kingdom of England and the duchy of Normandy. Since the throne was seized by Henry’s nephew, Stephen of Blois, Geoffroi had to fight for his wife’s inheritance. By 1144, he had gained control of Normandy. The submission of England was left to his son, Henry II Plantagenet. Although Geoffroi had united a vast territory in western France, he ruled each area separately, under its own law. This was to be the model for the Angevin empire of his son.
Scott Jessee
[See also: ANJOU; FOULQUES: HENRY II: MATILDA]
Bachrach, Bernard S. “The Idea of the Angevin Empire.” Albion 10 (1978):293-99.
Dunbabin, Jean. France in the Making, 843-1180. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1985.
Guillot, Olivier. Le comte d’Anjou et son entourage au XIe siecle. 2 vols. Paris: Picard, 1972. Hallam, Elizabeth, ed. The Plantagenet Chronicles. New York: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1986. Halphen, Louis. Le comte d’Anjou au XIe siecle. Paris: Picard, 1906.
World History
