Geoffrey, Archbishop of York
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Geoffrey, Archbishop of York (c. 1152 – 12 December 1212) was an illegitimate son of Henry II, King of England.
He was distinguished from his legitimate half-brothers by his consistent attachment and fidelity to his father. His mother was Ykenai, whom Walter Map described as 'a base-born, common harlot who stooped to all uncleanness'.
He was made Bishop of Lincoln at the age of twenty-one (1173); but though he enjoyed the temporalities he was never consecrated and resigned the see in 1183. He then became his father's chancellor, holding a large number of lucrative benefices in plurality. Richard nominated him archbishop of York in 1189, but he was not consecrated until 1191, or enthroned until 1194.
Geoffrey, though of high character, was a man of uneven temper; his history is chiefly one of quarrels, with the see of Canterbury, with the chancellor William Longchamp, with his half-brothers Richard and John, and especially with his canons at York. This last dispute kept him in litigation before Richard and Pope Celestine III for many years. He led the clergy in their refusal to be taxed by John and was forced to flee the kingdom in 1207. He died in Normandy on the 12th of December 1212.
[edit] Reference
- This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
| Religious Posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Robert de Chesney |
Bishop of Lincoln 1173-1183 |
Succeeded by: Walter de Coutances |
| Preceded by: Roger de Pont L'Evêque |
Archbishop of York 1181–1212 |
Succeeded by: Walter de Gray |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by: Ralph de Warneville |
Lord Chancellor 1181–1189 |
Succeeded by: William Longchamp |
