Godfrey II, Duke of Lower Lorraine
Encyclopedia
Godfrey II called the Childless, son of Godfrey I, Count of Verdun
, was the count of Verdun
from his father's death in 1002 and duke of Lower Lorraine after the death in 1012 of the Carolingian
Otto
, who left no sons.
He was appointed duke by Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor
, on the advice of Gerard of Florennes, bishop of Cambrai
. His selection was based on the need for a strong military hand to pacify the duchy and stabilise the French
border. It also benefitted that Godfrey was from Upper Lorraine and thus had no stake in the feudal strife of the baronage, he was loyal to the Ottonians. He also had the support of his brothers: Gothelo, margrave
of Antwerp, and Herman, margrave of Ename (Brabant
).
In 1012, he gave Verdun to his brother Frederick. He had to combat several opponents to his ducal claim, however: Lambert I, Count of Leuven, brother-in-law of Otto, and Reginar IV, count of Mons
. At Florennes
, on 12 September 1015, Godfrey defeated both of them, killing Lambert and forcing Reginar to make peace.
Reginar later married Godfrey's niece Matilda (daughter of Herman of Ename, count in the shire of Brabant) and succeeded his father-in-law in the southern part of the shire Brabant (later on part of county of Hainault).
Later, Godfrey fell into combat with Gerard, count of Metz
. On 27 August 1017, he defeated him despite numerical inferiority.
He was the leader of the imperial army which was defeated at Vlaardingen
by Dirk III of Holland
in 1018. He was succeeded by his younger brother Gothelo
.
Godfrey I, Count of Verdun
Godfrey I , called the Prisoner or the Captive , sometimes the Old , was the count of Bidgau and Methingau from 959 and the count of Verdun from 963 to his death. In 969, he obtained the margravate of Antwerp and Ename...
, was the count of Verdun
Count of Verdun
The counts of Verdun, now in eastern France, were often during the Middle Ages rulers of Lorraine; the descendants of the early counts were also margraves in Tuscany and Latin rulers in the Latin East after the First Crusade....
from his father's death in 1002 and duke of Lower Lorraine after the death in 1012 of the Carolingian
Carolingian
The Carolingian dynasty was a Frankish noble family with origins in the Arnulfing and Pippinid clans of the 7th century AD. The name "Carolingian", Medieval Latin karolingi, an altered form of an unattested Old High German *karling, kerling The Carolingian dynasty (known variously as the...
Otto
Otto, Duke of Lower Lorraine
Otto was the duke of Lower Lorraine from 993 until his death. He was the son of Charles, son of King Louis IV, and his first wife, a daughter of Robert de Vermandois, count of Meaux and Troyes....
, who left no sons.
He was appointed duke by Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry II , also referred to as Saint Henry, Obl.S.B., was the fifth and last Holy Roman Emperor of the Ottonian dynasty, from his coronation in Rome in 1014 until his death a decade later. He was crowned King of the Germans in 1002 and King of Italy in 1004...
, on the advice of Gerard of Florennes, bishop of Cambrai
Gerard of Florennes
Gerard of Florennes , bishop of Cambrai as Gerard I, had formerly been chaplain to Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor, and helpful to the latter in his political negotiations with Robert the Pious, King of France...
. His selection was based on the need for a strong military hand to pacify the duchy and stabilise the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
border. It also benefitted that Godfrey was from Upper Lorraine and thus had no stake in the feudal strife of the baronage, he was loyal to the Ottonians. He also had the support of his brothers: Gothelo, margrave
Margrave
A margrave or margravine was a medieval hereditary nobleman with military responsibilities in a border province of a kingdom. Border provinces usually had more exposure to military incursions from the outside, compared to interior provinces, and thus a margrave usually had larger and more active...
of Antwerp, and Herman, margrave of Ename (Brabant
Brabant (landgraviat)
The Landgraviat of Brabant must be distinguished from the Duchy of Brabant. The Duchy of Brabant was initially a feudal elevation of the landgraviat, but its name was applied to the entire country under the control of the Dukes of Brabant, from the 13th century on.This imperial fief was assigned to...
).
In 1012, he gave Verdun to his brother Frederick. He had to combat several opponents to his ducal claim, however: Lambert I, Count of Leuven, brother-in-law of Otto, and Reginar IV, count of Mons
Mons
Mons is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut, of which it is the capital. The Mons municipality includes the old communes of Cuesmes, Flénu, Ghlin, Hyon, Nimy, Obourg, Baudour , Jemappes, Ciply, Harmignies, Harveng, Havré, Maisières, Mesvin, Nouvelles,...
. At Florennes
Florennes
Florennes is a Walloon municipality located in Belgium in the province of Namur. On January 1, 2006 Florennes had a total population of 10,754...
, on 12 September 1015, Godfrey defeated both of them, killing Lambert and forcing Reginar to make peace.
Reginar later married Godfrey's niece Matilda (daughter of Herman of Ename, count in the shire of Brabant) and succeeded his father-in-law in the southern part of the shire Brabant (later on part of county of Hainault).
Later, Godfrey fell into combat with Gerard, count of Metz
Metz
Metz is a city in the northeast of France located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille rivers.Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region and prefecture of the Moselle department. Located near the tripoint along the junction of France, Germany, and Luxembourg, Metz forms a central place...
. On 27 August 1017, he defeated him despite numerical inferiority.
He was the leader of the imperial army which was defeated at Vlaardingen
Battle of Vlaardingen
The Battle of Vlaardingen was fought on 29 July 1018. The German emperor sent an army towards western Frisia to subdue the rebellious Count Dirk III...
by Dirk III of Holland
Dirk III, Count of Holland
Dirk III was Count of Holland from 993 to May 27, 1039, until 1005 under regency of his mother. It is thought that Dirk III went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land around 1030, hence his nickname of Hierosolymita....
in 1018. He was succeeded by his younger brother Gothelo
Gothelo I, Duke of Lorraine
Gothelo , called the Great, was the duke of Lower Lorraine from 1023 and of Upper Lorraine from 1033. He was also the margrave of Antwerp from 1005 and count of Verdun. Gothelo was the youngest son of Godfrey I, Count of Verdun, and Matilda Billung, daughter of Herman, Duke of Saxony...
.