Geoffrey V, Count of Anjou (1113-1151)

The daughter of Henry I, known as Matilda, Empress of England (1102 to 1167) married Geoffrey V Plantagenet (1113 to 1151) in 1128. Geoffrey was eleven years younger than Matilda. He was 15 when they married. 

They were the parents of three sons - Henry II of England, Geoffrey and William. 

Geoffrey was the elder son of Fulk V of Anjou (c1092 to 1144) and Eremgarde de la Fleche (died 1126), daughter of Elais I of Maine. Fulk V married Eremgadre (or Eremburga) in 1109 and was King of Jerusalem from 1131 until his death in 1144.

Geoffrey's titles in France included Count of Anjou, Tourine and Maine by inheritance from 1129 and then Duke of Normandy by conquest from 1144.

Geoffrey had the nickname - Plantagenet - probably because he wore a sprig of yellow broom blossom in his hat. Genêt is the French name for the planta genista, or broom shrub.

Matilda had been promised that she would be queen after the death of her father. However, her cousin, Stephen, had other ideas. A series of battles, The Anarchy, followed from 1138 until 1153.

Geoffrey remained in France where he took control of Normandy for Matilda and became Duke of Normandy. In 1129 he had inherited the title of the count of Anjou and Maine.

Geoffrey looked after the family's French possessions while Matilda and her army were occupied in attempting to defeat Stephen.

Geoffrey died on 7 September 1151. He was buried at St Julien's Cathedral in Le Mans, France.

When King Stephen died, Geoffrey and Matilda's son became King Henry II of England.

Enamel effigy from 
Geoffrey's tomb