Geoffrey DE MANDEVILLE, II

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: 1st Earl of Essex

Notes:

Name:
English Aristocracy. Born the son of William de Mandeville. During the years of succession civil strife between Maud and Stephen, he appeared in the record as Stephen's supporter. Stephen repaid him by making him Earl of Essex about 1140, it is the earliest charter granting an English earldom known. About a year later he was also appointed custodian of the Tower of London. After Stephen's defeat by Maud's forces in 1141, he immediately switched his allegiance to Maud who forgave his debts to the crown and appointed him sheriff of Essex. Before Maud's forces were routed at Winchester in September 1141, Stephen's queen enticed Geoffrey to turn coat yet again, probably by granting him viceregal powers in London. It is possible that by 1142 he may have been intriguing with Maud again; but was apparently found out. He was arrested at St. Albans for treason against Stephen in 1143, he sacrificed his offices and castles in return for his freedom. He then seized Ramsey Abbey near Peterborough, evicting the monks, and using it as a base during his subsequent career as an infamous rebel and bandit. Stephen besieged his fortified abbey without result. A year later Geoffrey was mortally wounded while laying siege to Burwell. He lingered for over a month before he died. As he died excommunicate, a rebel against his king, he was denied burial and his body was wrapped in lead before it was taken to the Templar chapel in London where he was finally interred.

Bio by: Iola

Family/Spouse: Rohese DE VERE. Rohese (daughter of Aubrey II DE VERE and Adeliza DE CLARE) was born on 22 Jun 1100 in Castle Hedingham, Braintree District, Essex, England; died in Oct 1166 in Chicksands, Central Bedfordshire Unitary Authority, Bedfordshire, England; was buried in Chicksands Prior, Bedfordshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Geoffrey DE MANDEVILLE died in 1166 in Essex, England; was buried in Walden Abbey, Saffron Walden,Essex, England.
2. Alice DE MANDEVILLE was born about 1154 in Rycott, Oxfordshire, England.

William married Margaret FITZHUBERT. Margaret died in England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Daughter of Eudo FitzHubert and Rohese de Clare