biography
| name: |
Godfrey or Godfried of Brabant
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| biography:
| Three dukes of Brabant: (1) Godfrey I (the Bearded) d.1139, duke from 1095. He created himself ‘duke’ in spite of rival claims from the House of Limburg, who had been presented with the duchy by the Emperor Henry IV in 1101. He was deposed by King Lothaire and defeated at Duras in 1129, but continued to maintain his claims and in particular kept the margravate of Antwerp, which had previously been part of Limburg, but from then on remained in Brabant. He supported the emperor in the Investitute argument out of self-interest. He was succeeded by his son Godfrey II (the Younger), c.1095–1142. Duke of Brabant from 1139, his assumption of the title led to renewed conflict with Limburg, and the Grimberg wars against the House of Berthout, but he assured himself of imperial support by a judicious marriage, and after Walram of Limburg died, was made Duke of Limburg-Lotharingia by the Emperor Conrad III. (3) Godfrey III (the Brave) c.1142–90, son of Godfrey II. He sacked Grimbergen in the Grimberg wars. He gained territory and ended the feud with Limburg by marrying Margaret of Limburg (1155). In 1184 he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. |
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