The Rise of Geoffrey Martel (jun 1, 1047 – mar 15, 1051)

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Even before he succeeded his father in 1040, Geoffrey Martel had pursued a policy of ruthless expansion, capturing and detaining his neighbours until they agreed his extortionate demands. In 1047 he captured the bishop of Le Mans, and despite a punitive invasion of Anjou by Henry I and William (who owed him for Val-es-Dunes) as well as excommunication by pope, Geoffrey continued to grow stronger. In March 1051 the count of Maine died and the citizens of Le Mans invited Geoffrey Martel to take over the whole county.

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