Geoffrey of Brionne (mid-10th century – c. 1010), also called Godfrey was

Count of Eu Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty''. New York: ...

and BrionneWhile there is little doubt Geoffrey (Godfrey) was Count of Eu, there is an open question as to whether Geoffrey was ever "Count" of Brionne. See: Douglas, Earliest Norman Counts, ''EHS'' 61, No. 240 (1946), p.134. in the late tenth and early eleventh centuries.

Life

He was a son of Duke

Richard I of Normandy Richard I (28 August 932 – 20 November 996), also known as Richard the Fearless (French: ''Richard Sans-Peur''; Old Norse: ''Jarl Rikard''), was the count of Rouen from 942 to 996.Detlev Schwennicke, '' Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln ...

, by an unnamed wife or concubine.Edmund Chester Waters, The Counts of Eu, Sometime Lords of the Honour of Tickhill, ''The Yorkshire Archaeological and Topographical Journal'', No. 9 (1886), p. 262 The county of Eu was an

appanage An appanage, or apanage (; french: apanage ), is the grant of an estate, title, office or other thing of value to a younger child of a sovereign, who would otherwise have no inheritance under the system of primogeniture. It was common in much o ...

created for Geoffrey by his half-brother

Richard II of Normandy Richard II (died 28 August 1026), called the Good (French: ''Le Bon''), was the duke of Normandy from 996 until 1026. Life Richard was the eldest surviving son and heir of Richard the Fearless and Gunnor. He succeeded his father as the ruler of ...

in 996 as part of Richard's policy of granting honors and titles for cadet members of his family. The citadel of Eu played a critical part of the defense of Normandy;Edmund Chester Waters, The Counts of Eu, Sometime Lords of the Honour of Tickhill, ''The Yorkshire Archaeological and Topographical Journal'', No. 9 (1886), p. 261 the castle and walled town were on the river Bresle, just two miles from the

English Channel The English Channel, "The Sleeve"; nrf, la Maunche, "The Sleeve" (Cotentinais) or ( Jèrriais), (Guernésiais), "The Channel"; br, Mor Breizh, "Sea of Brittany"; cy, Môr Udd, "Lord's Sea"; kw, Mor Bretannek, "British Sea"; nl, Het Kana ...

. It had long been an embarkation point for England and in time of war was often one of the first places attacked. The castle of

Brionne Brionne () is a commune in the Eure department. Brionne is in the region of Normandy of northern France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of oversea ...

had been held by the Dukes of Normandy as one of their own homes but Richard II also made a gift of Brionne to his half-brother Geoffrey, Orderic in a speech attributed to Roger, Count of Mullent to Robert II, Duke of Normandy, in asking for the castle of Brionne stated that it was Duke Richard the elder (I) who gave Brionne to his son Geoffrey (Godfrey). See Ordericus Vitalis, ''Ecclesiastical History'', Trans. Forester, Vol. II (1854), p. 490. who held it for life passing it to his son Gilbert and was only returned to the demesne of the Duke after his murder. Both Geoffrey and his son Gilbert are styled ''counts'' in a diploma to

Lisieux Lisieux () is a commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region in northwestern France. It is the capital of the Pays d'Auge area, which is characterised by valleys and hedged farmland. Name The name of the town derives from the ...

given by Duke Richard II, but without territorial designations. Geoffrey died .Edmund Chester Waters, The Counts of Eu, Sometime Lords of the Honour of Tickhill, ''The Yorkshire Archaeological and Topographical Journal'', No. 9 (1886), p. 257

Issue

Geoffrey was married but the name of his wife is unknown. He was the father of: * Gilbert, Count of Eu and Brionne Upon his death, Geoffrey was succeeded as Count of Eu and Count of Brionne by his son Gilbert.

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Geoffrey, Count Of Eu Counts of Eu 10th-century births Norman warriors 11th-century deaths 10th-century Normans 11th-century Normans