Geoffrey of Montbray, Bishop of Coutances († Coutances, 2 Feb. 1093)

Born into a noble family in the Cotentin region, he obtained the bishopric of Coutances in 1049, less through merit than thanks to the funds distributed by his family. Duke William who was, however, committed to ecclesiastical reform, did not hold this against him as Geoffrey revealed himself to be an excellent organiser of his diocese and a trustworthy companion. In c.1050 Geoffrey undertook a journey to Italy for the lords of Hauteville, natives of the Cotentin region, to collect the grants needed for the reconstruction of the cathedral of Coutances which was dedicated in 1056. In 1066 he took part in the assembly of Lillebonne, and supported the claim of William to the throne of England. He followed him to Hastings, and officiated at his coronation in London. After the conquest Geoffrey was one of those to whom William entrusted him with military commands against the rebellious Anglo-Saxons (1067, 1069, 1074) and not, as one would have expected, with responsibilities relating to his ecclesiastical status. In recompense William, to whom he remained a close adviser, granted Geoffrey a fiefdom and many English domains which he was able to retain, even when taking the side of Robert Curthose after 1087. Following his death in 1093, however, they were taken away from his nephew Robert of Montbray by William Rufus.

Bibliography :

- François Neveux. - La Normandie des ducs aux rois, Xe-XIIe s. - Rennes : Ouest-France, 1998.
- Les évêques normands du XIe s. : actes du colloque de Cerisy-la-Salle (30 septembre - 3 octobre 1993), publiés sous la dir. de Pierre Bouet et François Neveux. - Caen : Presses Universitaires de Caen, 1993.