Geoffrey IV

Table of Contents

Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

Plaque from the tomb of Geoffrey Plantagenet, count of Anjou, enamel, Limoges school, c. 1151–60. The stylized pattern of blue and white lining the figure's cloak represents a series of squirrel skins, called vair, frequently mentioned in blazons. In the Musée de Tessé, Le Mans, France.

Read Next

10 Infographics that Explain the Normandy Invasion During World War II

Queen Elizabeth II on her Coronation Day (June 2, 1953) holding the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross in her right hand the Orb in her left, in an embroidered and beaded dress by Norman Hartnell, a crimson velvet mantle edged with ermine fur, with the Coronation ring, the Coronation necklace, and the Imperial State Crown. The backdrop depicts the interior of Westminster Abbey; photograph by Cecil Beaton. (British royals)

5 Fascinating British Coronation Objects

Discover

Solar Eclipse, Eclipse, Solar Flare, Outer Space, Astronomy

What Causes Lunar and Solar Eclipses?

Periodical Cicada, Adult, Magicicada spp. Requires 17 years to complete development. Nymph splits its skin, and transforms into an adult. Feeds on sap of tree roots. Northern Illinois Brood. This brood is the largest emergence of cicadas anywhere

Why Do Some Cicadas Appear Only Every 17 Years?

solar eclipse, sun, moon, astronomy, space

How Do You Tell the Difference Between Total, Annular, Solar, and Lunar Eclipses?

VAN, TURKEY - OCTOBER 25: A building and car ruined during the earthquake of Van-Ercis on October 25, 2011 in Van, Turkey. It is 604 killed and 4152 injured in Van-Ercis Earthquake.

What Is an Aftershock?

Stylish light blue jeans on wooden background, closeup of inset pocket

Why Do Jeans Have That Tiny Pocket?

In this aerial photo, structures are damaged and destroyed October 15, 2005 in Balakot, Pakistan. It is estimated that 90% of the city of Balakot was leveled by the earthquake. The death toll in the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck northern Pakistan on October 8, 2005 is believed to be 38,000 with at least 1,300 more dead in Indian Kashmir. SEE CONTENT NOTES.

6 of the World’s Deadliest Natural Disasters

Pluto. The Changing Faces of Pluto. Most detailed view to date of the entire surface of the dwarf planet Pluto, as constructed from multiple NASA Hubble Space Telescope photographs taken from 2002 to 2003.

10 Important Dates in Pluto History

History & Society

Geoffrey IV

count of Anjou

Also known as: Geoffrey Plantagenet, Geoffrey the Fair, Geoffroi Plantagenet, Geoffroi le Bel

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Mar 6, 2024 • Article History

Geoffrey IV

See all media

Category: History & Society

Also called:: Geoffrey Plantagenet

Byname:: Geoffrey The Fair

French:: Geoffroi Plantagenet, or Geoffroi Le Bel

Born:: Aug. 24, 1113

Died:: Sept. 7, 1151, Le Mans, Maine [France] (aged 38)

Notable Family Members:: spouse Matilda; father Fulk; son Henry II

See all related content →

Geoffrey IV (born Aug. 24, 1113—died Sept. 7, 1151, Le Mans, Maine [France]) was the count of Anjou (1131–51), Maine, and Touraine and ancestor of the Plantagenet kings of England through his marriage, in June 1128, to Matilda (q.v.), daughter of Henry I of England. On Henry’s death (1135), Geoffrey claimed the duchy of Normandy; he finally conquered it in 1144 and ruled there as duke until he gave it to his son Henry (later King Henry II of England) in 1150.

Geoffrey was popular with the Normans, but he had to suppress a rebellion of malcontent Angevin nobles. After a short war with Louis VII of France, Geoffrey signed a treaty (August 1151) by which he surrendered the whole of Norman Vexin (the border area between Normandy and Île-de-France) to Louis.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.