Geoffrey, Archbishop of York

Geoffrey was born around 1152, possibly to Henry II of England and a woman who may have been named Ykenai. His legitimacy was questioned, but he was nonetheless acknowledged by Henry II and raised alongside his legitimate siblings. Geoffrey pursued a clerical career, holding minor offices before being elected Bishop of Lincoln in 1173, though not ordained as a priest until 1189. He participated in a military campaign against his rebellious half-brothers and the Scots in 1173-1174. In 1182, he resigned as bishop-elect of Lincoln to become chancellor, a position he held until 1189.

Richard I, Geoffrey’s half-brother, appointed him Archbishop of York in 1189, a role he was consecrated to in 1191. His tenure was marked by disputes with William Longchamp, Richard’s regent, and later with his half-brothers Richard and John. Geoffrey’s opposition to John’s taxation policies led to his exile in France in 1207, where he died on 12 December 1212.