Godfrey IV, Duke of Lower Lorraine
Encyclopedia
Godfrey IV known as the Hunchback, was a son of Godfrey the Bearded
, whom he succeeded as duke of Lower Lorraine in 1069. His mother was Doda and his sister was Ida.
In the year of his succession, he married Matilda la Gran Contessa
, daughter of Boniface III of Tuscany
, and Beatrice of Bar
. By this marriage, he succeeded his father as margrave of Tuscany
, for his father had been married to Beatrice of Bar, the mother of Matilda. From 1071, Godfrey lived separate from his wife. The two spouses were on opposite sides in the Investiture Controversy
: Matilda was a partisan of Pope Gregory VII
and Godfrey of the Emperor Henry IV.
He warred on Henry's behalf against Magnus, Duke of Saxony
, in 1075 and on that of the bishop of Utrecht in 1076 against Dirk V of Holland
and Robert I of Flanders. He was assassinated on the Scheldt
on the eve of battle. His only child was a daughter, Beatrice, by Matilda. He nominated his nephew Godfrey of Bouillon
to succeed him, but the emperor appointed his own son, Conrad
. Godfrey of Bouillon succeeded eventually in 1087 and gained fame on the First Crusade
.
Godfrey III, Duke of Lower Lorraine
Godfrey III , called the Bearded, was the eldest son of Gothelo I, duke of Upper and Lower Lorraine. By inheritance, he was count of Verdun and he became margrave of Antwerp as a vassal of the duke of Lower Lorraine...
, whom he succeeded as duke of Lower Lorraine in 1069. His mother was Doda and his sister was Ida.
In the year of his succession, he married Matilda la Gran Contessa
Matilda of Tuscany
Matilda of Tuscany was an Italian noblewoman, the principal Italian supporter of Pope Gregory VII during the Investiture Controversy. She is one of the few medieval women to be remembered for her military accomplishments...
, daughter of Boniface III of Tuscany
Boniface III of Tuscany
Boniface III , son of Tedald of Canossa and the father of Matilda of Canossa, was the most powerful north Italian prince of his age...
, and Beatrice of Bar
Beatrice of Bar
Beatrice of Bar was the marchioness of Tuscany from 1053 to her death as the wife of Boniface III of Tuscany...
. By this marriage, he succeeded his father as margrave of Tuscany
Rulers of Tuscany
The rulers of Tuscany have varied over time, sometimes being margraves, the rulers of handfuls of border counties and sometimes the heads of the most important family of the region.-Margraves of Tuscany, 812–1197:House of Boniface*Boniface I, 812-813...
, for his father had been married to Beatrice of Bar, the mother of Matilda. From 1071, Godfrey lived separate from his wife. The two spouses were on opposite sides in the Investiture Controversy
Investiture Controversy
The Investiture Controversy or Investiture Contest was the most significant conflict between Church and state in medieval Europe. In the 11th and 12th centuries, a series of Popes challenged the authority of European monarchies over control of appointments, or investitures, of church officials such...
: Matilda was a partisan of Pope Gregory VII
Pope Gregory VII
Pope St. Gregory VII , born Hildebrand of Sovana , was Pope from April 22, 1073, until his death. One of the great reforming popes, he is perhaps best known for the part he played in the Investiture Controversy, his dispute with Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor affirming the primacy of the papal...
and Godfrey of the Emperor Henry IV.
He warred on Henry's behalf against Magnus, Duke of Saxony
Magnus, Duke of Saxony
Magnus was the duke of Saxony from 1072 to 1106. Eldest son and successor of Ordulf and Wulfhild of Norway, he was the last member of the House of Billung.-Rebellion:...
, in 1075 and on that of the bishop of Utrecht in 1076 against Dirk V of Holland
Dirk V, Count of Holland
Dirk V was Count of Holland from 1061 to 1091.Dirk V succeeded Floris I, under the guardianship of his mother, Gertrude of Saxony. William I, Bishop of Utrecht, took advantage of the young ruler, occupying territory that he had claimed in Holland. William's claim was confirmed by two charters of...
and Robert I of Flanders. He was assassinated on the Scheldt
Scheldt
The Scheldt is a 350 km long river in northern France, western Belgium and the southwestern part of the Netherlands...
on the eve of battle. His only child was a daughter, Beatrice, by Matilda. He nominated his nephew Godfrey of Bouillon
Godfrey of Bouillon
Godfrey of Bouillon was a medieval Frankish knight who was one of the leaders of the First Crusade from 1096 until his death. He was the Lord of Bouillon, from which he took his byname, from 1076 and the Duke of Lower Lorraine from 1087...
to succeed him, but the emperor appointed his own son, Conrad
Conrad of Italy
Conrad II was the second son of Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV. As such, he was King of Germany from 1087 to 1098 and also King of Italy from 1093 to 1098....
. Godfrey of Bouillon succeeded eventually in 1087 and gained fame on the First Crusade
First Crusade
The First Crusade was a military expedition by Western Christianity to regain the Holy Lands taken in the Muslim conquest of the Levant, ultimately resulting in the recapture of Jerusalem...
.