Geoffrey (archbishop of York)

Geoffrey (German Gottfried, * to 1152, † December 12, 1212 in Normandy ) was Bishop of Lincoln and Archbishop of York. He was an illegitimate son of King Henry II of England.

He was distinguished from his legitimate half-brothers, because he was always faithful to his father. When he was 21 years old, he was appointed Bishop of Lincoln, but he gave the Office 1182 again. He was then the chancellor of his father, which he received many benefits. Richard I. appointed him in 1189 to the Archbishop of York, in 1191 he was consecrated and enthroned in 1194.

Geoffrey was, although with high character, a man with uneven mind: His life was marked by controversy, whether because of the bishopric of Canterbury, with the chancellor William Longchamp or with his half-brothers Richard I and John Lackland. The last quarrel quarreled him for years with Richard I. and the Pope. He led the clergy in their fight against taxation by King John, and was in 1207 forced to leave the kingdom.