Godfrey IV, Duke of Lower Lorraine

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Godfrey IV (died 27 or 26 February 1076), known as the Hunchback, was a son of Godfrey the Bearded, whom he succeeded as duke of Lower Lorraine in 1069. His mother was Doda.

In the year of his succession, he married Matilda la Gran Contessa, daughter of Boniface III of Tuscany, and Beatrice of Bar. By this marriage, he succeeded his father as margrave of Tuscany, for his father had been married to Beatrice of Bar, the mother of Matilda. From 1071, Godfrey lived separate from his wife. The two spouses were on opposite sides in the Investiture Controversy: Matilda was a partisan of Pope Gregory VII and Godfrey of the Emperor Henry IV.

He warred on Henry's behald against Magnus, Duke of Saxony, in 1075 and on that of the bishop of Utrecht in 1076 against Dirk V of Holland and Robert I of Flanders. He was assassinated on the Scheldt on the eve of battle. His only child was a daughter, Beatrice, by Matilda. He nominated his nephew Godfrey of Bouillon to succeed him, but the emperor appointed his own son, Conrad. Godfrey of Bouillon succeeded eventually in 1089 and gained fame on the First Crusade.

Preceded by
Godfrey III
Duke of Lower Lotharingia
10691076
Succeeded by
Conrad
Margrave of Tuscany
10691076
Succeeded by
Matilda


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