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- Also called Geoffrey of Mayenne.
From Leo van de Pas:
Geoffroy was the son of Haymon. According to the cartulary of the abbey of Saint-Vincent, dating between 1067 and 1070, he or more probably his father had his ownership of the château of Mayenne confirmed by Foulques III 'Nerra', comte d'Anjou, between 1014 and Foulques' death in 1040. Haymon subscribed a charter dated 1014 'Signum Haymonis de Medano', so he appears to have been castellan or seigneur already at that time. Geoffroy is first recorded as lord of Mayenne in a charter of Hugues IV, comte de Maine, dated the 20th year of the reign of Henri I, king of France, i.e. approximately 1051.
Before 1059 Geoffroy married Mahaut d'Alluye, widow of Guillaume I Gouët, seigneur de Montmirail, and daughter of Gautier d'Alluye. Their son Gautier would have progeny, marrying Adeline (Alix) (de Presles). The marriage of Geoffroy and Mahaut was partly driven by the need to defend against the encroachments of the Normans and of Rotrou I, comte du Perche.
Herbert II, comte de Maine, driven from Maine by Geoffrey II Martel, comte d'Anjou, had no sons, and named William the Conqueror, duke of Normandy, as his heir. On Herbert's death in 1062 William pressed his right to succeed in Maine. Most of the lords of Maine revolted against him. Led by Geoffroy they summoned as their new count Gautier III, comte d'Amiens et du Vexin. William of Normandy then embarked on the conquest of Maine, using scorched earth tactics and conquering the castles of his opponents one by one, capturing Gautier who died shortly after in mysterious circumstances. William also laid siege to the castle of Mayenne, to which Geoffroy had fled. When the castle was set on fire it surrendered in 1063.
In 1094 Geoffroy allied with Guillaume II de Sillé and the principal lords of Maine to support the house of Giroie in its feud against Robert de Bellême, 3rd earl of Shropshire and of Shrewsbury.
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Nielsen Hayden genealogy
Abt 1025 - Aft 1098 (~ 73 years)