Geoffrey III of Anjou: A Weak Ruler and the Rise of Fulk le Réchin (1060–1068)

Geoffrey III of Anjou, born around 1040, was the eldest son of Geoffrey II of Gâtinais and Ermengarde of Anjou, making him the grandson of the formidable Fulk III ("Nerra"). Despite his noble lineage, Geoffrey III’s rule as Count of Anjou (1060–1068) was marked by incompetence, leading to his eventual overthrow by his younger brother, Fulk IV ("le Réchin").

Early Life and Rise to Power (1040–1060)

• Geoffrey and his younger brother, Fulk ("le Réchin"), were raised under the guidance of their uncle, Count Geoffrey Martel.
• Both were knighted by their uncle in 1060, the same year Geoffrey Martel died without heirs, leaving the countship to Geoffrey III.
• Although Geoffrey Martel had shown favoritism toward Fulk, he nonetheless designated Geoffrey III as his successor.

A Weak and Ineffective Ruler (1060–1068)

• From the outset, Geoffrey III struggled to assert authority over his vassals, who quickly lost confidence in his leadership.
• Unlike his capable predecessors, Geoffrey was perceived as indecisive, militarily ineffective, and politically weak.
• The once-powerful County of Anjou began to lose influence, leading to growing discontent among the Angevin nobility.

The Challenge from His Brother, Fulk IV ("le Réchin")

• Seeing his brother’s failings, Fulk IV began gathering support from dissatisfied Angevin lords.
• Fulk, known for his shrewdness and ambition, eventually rebelled against Geoffrey, aiming to remove him from power.
• In 1068, after years of ineffective rule, Geoffrey III was forcibly deposed by Fulk, who seized control of Anjou for himself.

Legacy and Consequences

• Geoffrey III’s rule marked the decline of Angevin power, but his overthrow by Fulk IV stabilized the county.
• Fulk IV worked to rebuild Angevin strength, ensuring that Anjou remained a key power in medieval France.
• Geoffrey’s deposition set the precedent for the later power struggles within the House of Anjou, which would eventually culminate in the Angevin Empire of the 12th century.

Though he inherited a powerful legacy, Geoffrey III lacked the political and military acumen to uphold it, leading to his downfall and the rise of his more capable brother, Fulk IV ("le Réchin").

The Death of Herbert II of Maine and the Succession Crisis (1062)

In 1062, Herbert II of Maine, the eldest son of Hugh IV, died without an heir, leading to a major succession crisis in the County of Maine. Prior to his death, Herbert had declared Duke William II of Normandy as his heir, setting the stage for Norman intervention in the region.

Herbert II’s Flight to Normandy and the Angevin-Norman Rivalry

• In 1056, Geoffrey II Martel, Count of Anjou, invaded Le Mans, prompting Herbert to flee to the Norman court.
• Some historians argue that Herbert may have initially fallen under Angevin control, before later seeking refuge with Duke William of Normandy.
• His asylum in Normandy strengthened Norman influence in Maine, as Herbert increasingly aligned himself with William.

Herbert’s Death and the Maine Succession Crisis (1062)

• Herbert II died childless in 1062, having previously designated Duke William of Normandy as his successor.
• This move provoked immediate opposition, as local factions in Maine resisted Norman rule, leading to a succession crisis.

The Struggle for Control of Maine

• The Angevins and local nobility of Maine opposed William’s claim, fearing increased Norman dominance in the region.
• A pro-Angevin faction attempted to resist William’s control, supported by Baldwin V of Flanders and Geoffrey III of Anjou ("le Barbu").
• However, William, already one of the most powerful rulers in northern France, was determined to enforce his claim over Maine.

Consequences and Legacy

• William’s assertion of his claim to Maine marked a significant expansion of Norman influence, bringing him into closer conflict with Anjou and its allies.
• The struggle over Maine would continue for several years, culminating in William’s full conquest of the county in 1064, further strengthening his position before his invasion of England in 1066.
• Maine’s strategic location between Normandy and Anjou made it a contested borderland, influencing Norman-Angevin relations for decades to come.

The death of Herbert II in 1062 and his decision to name William of Normandy as heir triggered a succession crisis that led to Norman intervention in Maine, reinforcing William’s growing power in France just years before he set his sights on the English throne.

The Decline of Geoffrey III of Anjou: Military Failures and Excommunication (1062–1065)

By the mid-1060s, Geoffrey III of Anjou had proven incapable of defending his territory, suffering multiple territorial losses and political failures. His weak leadership led to the gradual erosion of Angevin power, culminating in his excommunication in 1065.

Failure to Defend Saintonge (1062)

• Geoffrey had granted Saintonge to his younger brother, Fulk IV ("le Réchin"), as an appanage.
• When Count Guy-Geoffroy of Poitou (William VIII of Aquitaine) attacked Saintonge in 1062, Geoffrey failed to intervene, leading to its loss.
• This betrayal alienated Fulk, further weakening Angevin internal unity.

The Loss of Maine (1063)

• In 1063, the County of Maine fell to Duke William of Normandy, further diminishing Angevin influence in northern France.
• Geoffrey, despite being the nominal overlord of Maine, failed to contest William’s conquest, reinforcing the perception that he was weak and ineffective.

Failure to Support His Vassals (1064)

• In 1064, Geoffrey abandoned Rainaldus of Château-Gontier, a loyal vassal, who had been captured by the Bretons.
• His failure to act led to growing discontent among the Angevin nobility, who increasingly saw him as an unreliable ruler.

Excommunication by Archbishop Barthelemy (1065)

• In 1065, Geoffrey attempted to interfere in the election of the Bishop of Le Mans, seeking to force his own candidate on the Church.
• This act angered Archbishop Barthelemy, who responded by excommunicating Geoffrey.
• Geoffrey’s conflict with the Church further isolated him politically, reinforcing his declining authority in Anjou.

Consequences and the Rise of Fulk IV ("le Réchin")

• By 1065, Geoffrey had lost key territories, failed his vassals, and been excommunicated, making his rule increasingly unsustainable.
• His brother, Fulk IV ("le Réchin"), began plotting against him, leading to Geoffrey’s eventual overthrow in 1068.
• The decline of Geoffrey III marked the beginning of internal strife in Anjou, weakening it as a regional power.

Legacy

• Geoffrey III’s military and political failures led to the gradual collapse of Angevin authority.
• His alienation of key vassals, failure to protect his lands, and opposition to the Church made him one of the weakest counts in Angevin history.
• His excommunication in 1065 was a final humiliation, demonstrating his waning power.

Geoffrey III’s mismanagement of Anjou paved the way for his downfall and the rise of his more capable brother, Fulk IV, who would take control of the county in 1068.

The Overthrow and Imprisonment of Geoffrey III by Fulk IV (1067–1068)

By 1067, Anjou was in crisis, as the ongoing deterioration of Angevin power led to an open conflict between the two brothers, Geoffrey III and Fulk IV ("le Réchin"). Fulk, dissatisfied with his brother’s weak rule and military failures, rebelled against Geoffrey, seizing control of the county of Anjou and imprisoning him for nearly three decades.

Fulk IV’s Rebellion and the Fall of Geoffrey III (1067)

• Geoffrey III had already alienated his vassals through military failures, including the loss of Maine to William of Normandy in 1063 and Saintonge in 1062.
• By 1067, tensions between Geoffrey and his younger brother Fulk IV erupted into outright rebellion.
• Fulk IV rose in revolt, capturing the county of Anjou and briefly imprisoning Geoffrey, though Geoffrey would escape or be released soon after.

Geoffrey’s Attempt to Regain Power and Final Defeat (1068)

• In 1068, Geoffrey attempted a counteroffensive, gathering support to reclaim Anjou from Fulk IV.
• However, he was decisively defeated, marking the end of his rule as Count of Anjou.
• This time, Fulk ensured Geoffrey would never pose a threat again, imprisoning him for an extraordinary twenty-eight years.

Geoffrey’s Long Imprisonment and Ultimate Fate (1068–1096)

• Geoffrey remained in captivity for nearly three decades, his existence largely forgotten as Fulk IV solidified his rule over Anjou.
• In 1096, during the rise of Pope Urban II, the pope personally intervened to secure Geoffrey’s release.
• However, Geoffrey died soon after, never regaining any power or influence.