The Plantagenets

Royal Arms of The Plantagenets

Known as the Warrior Kings and Queens of England, the Plantagenets dynasty rose to prominence in the High Middle Ages and lasted through the end of the Late Middle Ages. Two cadet branches descend from the Plantagenets; The House of York and The House of Lancaster. 

The founder of this great dynasty is Geoffrey V Plantagenet (1113-1151),Count of Anjou (Angevin Empire) who is also your 25th Great Grandfather through my mothers line. 

Broom Shrub

The name "Plantagenet" comes from a 12th century nickname of Geoffrey's meaning Broom Plant. He received this nickname from the yellow sprig of Broom Blossom that he wore in his hat. Planta Genista (Genet in French) is the official name of the Broom Shrub.

                                                                                                                                  

Geoffrey was the eldest son of Fulk V (1092-1143), Count of Anjou and King of Jerusalem and his wife Ermengarde of Maine(1109-1126). He was knighted at the age of 15 in preparation for his marriage to Empress Matilda of England (1102-1167) daughter of Henry I (1133-1189), King of England and the widow of Henry V (1086-1125), King of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor.

This marriage was intended to seal a peace treaty between England/Normandy and Anjou. According to several sources the marriage was a stormy one with frequent long separations. Matilda who was 11 years older than Geoffrey was known to be quite proud of her status as Empress. The marriage was thought to be unhappy, partly because Maude felt humiliated that she, an empress, was married to a mere Count. Their first son, Henry, was born five years after the wedding. Two more sons, Geoffrey and Guillaume followed in the next three years.

Writers of that time period have described Geoffrey as handsome, red-headed, jovial and a great warrior but it was also alleged that his charm camouflaged a cold and selfish character.

After the death of Matilda's father the English throne passed to next living male relative which was Matilda's cousin, Stephen of Blois (1092-1154). Geoffrey fought against King Stephen and conquered the Normandy from him and was from 1144 on Duke of Normandy. He also quelled several uprisings in Anjou during this time period.

Geoffrey and Henry went to Paris to pledge their alliance to King Louis VII in 1151. There, Henry met the Queen Eleanor for the first time and apparently fell in love, which would later result in one of the biggest scandals of their time. Queen Eleanor (Eleanor of Aquitaine (1177-1204), Queen of France, Queen of England) just happens to be your 23rd Great Grandmother from another line.

 Geoffrey and Matilda's firstborn,  Henry II, King of England(1133-1189) (the first Plantagenet king of England) succeeded King Stephen in 1154.

Geoffrey died on 07 SEP 1151 of fever. He was returning from a counsel meeting when he was suddenly taken ill. He collapsed on a couch, made bequests of gifts and charities and died. He was entombed at St. Julien's Cathedral in Le Mans, France. His tomb and remains were lost during the French Revolution.

Cathedral of St. Julien,  Le Mans, France