Biographies
Biographies
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Biographies of lesser people starting with G

The people listed on this page currently have less information so do not warrant a page of their own. As this website evolves and more information is added these people will be promoted to individual pages.

Fantasy image of Geoffrey (Duke of Brittany)
Geoffrey (Duke of Brittany)
Fantasy image of Glyndwr, Katherine
Glyndwr, Katherine
Fantasy image of Grey, Catherine (Lady)
Grey, Catherine (Lady)

Please note: Portraits on this page are not intented to be accurate depictions of the individuals.

Gama, Vasco da

Born: 1460 Died: 1524

Vasco da Gama is most famously known as the portuguese explorer who sailed around the Cape of Good Hope in 1497 to reach Calicut in India in 1498. He was born in the port of Sines on the south west coast of Portugal that lies several miles to the south of Lisbon. He was born either in the year 1460 or 1469. He undertook three voyages south around the Cape of Good Hope to India.

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    1497(Age: 37yrs)

    Vasco de Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope to reach East Asia. [1]

    Gelasius (II, Pope)

    Died: 1119

    Giovanni da Gaeta was a monk at Monte Cassino. when Pope Paschal II died in late January, 1118. The Cardinals of Rome unanimously chose Giovanni da Gaeta as his successor. Soon after taking his post as Pope Gelasius he and his fellow Cardinals were attacked by supporters of Emperor Henry V who strongly opposed the election of a new Pope without his consent. Gelasius was confined to his house and would have remained there if not for a large force who opposed his treatment and freed the new Pope. His freedom was short lived as the Emperor enraged by the election made his way to Rome. Alerted to the arrival of the Emperor, Gelasius managed to flee back to his native town of Gaeta. In his place the Emperor chose Maurice Bourdin, Archbishop of Braga, who took the name Gregory VIII as the new Antipope.

    Timeline

    1118

    After the death of Paschal II at the end of January, Giovanni Da Gaeta was unanimously chosen as the new Pope by the Cardinals of Rome.

    With Maurice Bourdin in control of Rome, Gelasius decided to leave Italy and travel to France. He landed in Pisa where he consecrated the Cathedral.He travelled through France consecrating churches and ordinaing Bishops.

    1119

    Pope Gelasius died at the Abbey of Cluny in France and was buried there.

    Geoffrey (Duke of Brittany)

    Born: September 1158 Died: August 1186

    Geoffrey was the fourth son of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. He was given lands of Brittany. He died in 1186 possibly from an accident in a tournament of from a virus.

    Timeline

    1158

    Birth of Geoffrey Plantagenet. [1]

    1181(Age: 23yrs)

    Geoffrey,one of the younger sons of King Henry II of England married Constance of Brittany and was granted the title Duke of Brittany.

    1186(Age: 28yrs)

    Geoffrey, the son of King Henry II died in a tournament. [2]

    Parents

    Fantasy image of Henry (II, King of England 1154-1189)
    Henry (II, King of England 1154-1189)
    Fantasy image of Eleanor (of Aquitaine)
    Eleanor (of Aquitaine)

     

    Family Tree Details

    Father:Henry (II, King of England 1154-1189) (b.1133 - d.1189)
    Mother:Eleanor (of Aquitaine) (b.1122 - d.1204)
     Geoffrey (Duke of Brittany) (b.1158 - d.1186)
        +Constance (of Brittany) ( - d.1202)
            = Eleanor (Fair Maid of Brittany) ( - d.1241)
            = Arthur (of Brittany) (b.1187 - d.1203)
     Geoffrey (Duke of Brittany) (b.1158 - d.1186)
        +Constance (of Brittany) ( - d.1202)
            = Eleanor (Fair Maid of Brittany) ( - d.1241)
            = Arthur (of Brittany) (b.1187 - d.1203)

    Geoffrey (I, Greymantle, count of Anjou)

    Died: 987

    eoffrey was the son of Fulk II, count of Anjou. A legend surrounds Geoffrey depicting him as a great knight and warrior. The legend concerns an invasion by the Danes who had been attacking lands of France for some time. Amongst them was a fierce warrior called Ethelulf. No one could kill the huge Dane and he challenged all to try. When Geoffrey heard of this he secretly travelled to Paris where the Danes were approaching. Geoffrey confronted Ethelulf and killed the giant. He cut off the head of Ethelulf and gave it to a servant to take to Paris. No one knew who had killed the Dane and it was only later at a reception at Paris that Geoffrey was recognised by the servant who had been given the head. Because he was wearing a grey cloak, Geoffrey was given the nickname Graygown or Greymantle. Geoffrey was succeeded by his son Fulk, the Black.

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    Geoffrey (Martel, I, count of Anjou)

    Died: 1060

    Geoffrey Martel was the son of Fulk Nerra, count of Anjou. Geoffrey became count of Anjou in 1040 when his father died. Martel was a fierce warrior brushing aside all that stood before him. In 1044 the county of Touraine was overrun by Geoffrey when his army captured Tours, its capital town. When he died in 1060 Geoffrey had no children so he divided his lands of Anjou and Touraines between his nephews Geoffrey the Bearded and Fulk Rechin. Fulk received Touraine and Geoffrey received Anjou. Geoffrey Martel died in great pain from an illness.

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    1044

    Geoffrey Martel, count of Anjou, captured the town Tours and took control of the county of Touraine. [3]

    1063

    Some years earlier William had supported the exiled Count Herbert of Maine when Geoffrey Martel invaded the province and captured its main town Le Mans. As part of the pact William and Herbert agreed that if Herbert died without an heir the province could be claimed by William. William's eldest son Robert Curthose was betrothed to Herbert's daughter (Margaret?) but she died before they could be married. When Herbert died William claimed Maine in the name of his son and invaded. Robert was made Count of Maine when the province was captured. [4]

    Geoffrey (The Bearded)

    Died: circa 1109

    Geoffrey the Bearded was the nephew of Geoffrey Martel, count of Anjou. The count had no children so arranged for his lands to be divided between his nephews Geoffrey and Fulk Rechin. Geoffrey received the areas of Anjou and Saintonge, an area on the west coast of France. Fulk received the area of Touraine. The brothers Geoffrey and Fulk began to fight amongst themselves and in 1066 Fulk captured Geoffrey and imprisoned him.

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    1066

    Fulk Rechin was at war with his brother Geoffrey. They were fighting over the lands of Anjou and Touraine which had been left to them by their uncle Geoffrey Martel, the count of Anjou. Fulk captured Geoffrey the Bearded and captured Anjou later taking the title of count. [3]

    Giffard, Walter

    Died: 1279

    Bishop of Bath and Wells from 1264, and chancellor after Simon de Montfort's defeat and death at Evesham in 1265. Giffard became archbishop of York in 1266 and acted as regent for King Edward I.

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    Gilbert, William

    Born: 24 May 1544 Died: 30 November 1603

    illiam Gilbert was an English physician and scientist who invented the term 'elektron' for electricity. He investigated magnetic iron ore and published a book on the properties he was able to identify. The book was called 'De Magnete' of (The Magnet). Born in Colchester in 1544, Gilbert studied at Cambridge and gained his Doctor of Medicine degree before moving to London to practice medicine. During the last two years of the reign of Elizabeth I Gilbert acted as the Queen's personal physician. Gilbert also studied electricity for which he used the greek word for amber which was elektron and he determined that the Earth must be magnetic which is why magnets pointed to the North Pole. Gilbert died in 1603 possibly from the plague.

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    1600(Age: 56yrs)

    William Gilbert, an English physician and scientist published his book 'De Magnete' on the properties of magnetic iron ore.

    Giric (King of Scotland 878 - 889)

    Died: 889

    iric became Scotland's king in 878 and jointly ruled with Eochaid. Both men must have had a claim to the early Scottish throne. Giric was a warrior and invaded Northumbria several times. He died at Dundurn in 889. After the death of Giric, Donald, a son of Constantine I succeeded to the throne.

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    878

    After the death of Aed, Giric (his cousin?) became the Scottish ruler.

    Glanvill, Ranulf de

    anulf was a lawyer and Henry II's Chief Justiciar. Henry entrusted the education of his son John to Ranulf. Hubert Walter also studied under Ranulf.

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    Glyndwr, Katherine

    Katherine was the daughter of Owain Glyndwr and she married Edmund Mortimer. Edmund had been fighting on the side of Henry IV against Owain Glyndwr's Welsh revolt but had been captured by Owain at the battle of Pilleth. Owain demanded a ransom from Henry IV to free Edmund but Henry refused to pay. Edmund decided to join Owain Glyndwr's cause. He even married Owen's daughter Katherine.

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    Family Tree Details

     Glyndwr, Katherine
        +Mortimer, Edmund ( - d.1409)
     Glyndwr, Katherine
        +Mortimer, Edmund ( - d.1409)

    Gough, Matthew

    Born: circa 1386 Died: July 1450

    Welsh soldier who fought as a captain in France for Henry VI. See timeline for more information

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      1450(Age: 64yrs)

      An English army landed at Cherbourg under the command of Sir Thomas Kyriel. Joined by forces led by Matthew Gough the combined army laid siege to Valognes. The town fell to the English in April.

      An English army under the command of Sir Thomas Kyriel and Matthew Gough were attacked at Formigny in Normandy. The English were defeated and many of them were captured including Kyriel. Matthew Gough managed to escape. [5]

      English forces led by Matthew Gough held out at Bayeux against a French siege. The French used powerful cannons and finally Gough agreed to surrender the town to the French. [5]

      On his return from Normandy Matthew Gough was made Captain of the Tower of London. Gough was killed in the fighting with Jack Cade and the rebels on London Bridge soon afterwards. [5]

      Grey, Catherine (Lady)

      Lady Catherine Grey was the granddaughter of Mary, the younger sister of King Henry VIII. Catherine's elder sister, Lady Jane, was involved in an attempt to take the English throne by force and was executed. Catherine had a good claim to the English throne and at one point could have become Queen of England if Queen Elizabeth had died.

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      Fantasy image of Grey, Henry (Duke of Suffolk)
      Grey, Henry (Duke of Suffolk)
      Fantasy image of Brandon, Frances (Lady)
      Brandon, Frances (Lady)

       

      Family Tree Details

      Father:Grey, Henry (Duke of Suffolk) ( - ex.1554)
      Mother:Brandon, Frances (Lady) (b.1517 - d.1559)
       Grey, Catherine (Lady)
       Grey, Catherine (Lady)

      Grey, Henry (Duke of Suffolk)

      Executed: 1554

      enry married Frances the granddaughter of Mary a daughter of Henry VII. Henry and Frances had several daughters one of which was Lady Jane Grey. At the end of the reign of Edward VI Henry and Jane's father-in-law John Dudley, the Duke of Northumberland, plotted against Mary Tudor, Edward's sister, to place Jane on the throne of England. The plot failed and after another failed rebellion Henry was captured and executed.

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        1537

        Lady Jane Grey was born in around 1537 possibly at her father's estate Bradgate in Leicestershire. She was the daughter of Henry Grey, the Duke of Suffolk and Frances Brandon, the daughter of Mary Tudor, Queen of France.

        1553

        Archbishop Cranmer, Lady Jane Grey and her husband were all found guilty of treason.

         

        Family Tree Details

         Grey, Henry (Duke of Suffolk) ( - ex.1554)
            +Brandon, Frances (Lady) (b.1517 - d.1559)
                = Grey, Jane (Lady) (b.1537? - ex.1554)
                = Grey, Catherine (Lady)
         Grey, Henry (Duke of Suffolk) ( - ex.1554)
            +Brandon, Frances (Lady) (b.1517 - d.1559)
                = Grey, Jane (Lady) (b.1537? - ex.1554)
                = Grey, Catherine (Lady)

        Grey, John (Sir)

        Died: February 1461

        Sir John was the owner of the Bradgate estate and had considerable wealth. He was Lancastrian by inclination. Elizabeth Woodville married Sir John in 1457. The couple had two sons and life seemed to be good, but Sir John was killed in the second battle of St Albans in 1461 and Elizabeth returned to Grafton, to the family home, with her sons.

         

        Family Tree Details

         Grey, John (Sir) ( - d.1461)
            +Woodville, Elizabeth (b.1437 - d.1492)
                = Grey, Thomas (1st Marquess of Dorset) (b.1451 - d.1501)
                = Grey, Richard
         Grey, John (Sir) ( - d.1461)
            +Woodville, Elizabeth (b.1437 - d.1492)
                = Grey, Thomas (1st Marquess of Dorset) (b.1451 - d.1501)
                = Grey, Richard

        Gruffydd, Llywelyn ap

        Died: August 1063

        Gruffydd ap Llywelyn became ruler of most of Wales between 1055 to 1063. He combined forces with the exiled Aelfgar of Mercia and invaded England, burning the city of Hereford and its cathedral.

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        1055

        A force of Welsh and Irish men led by Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, a Welsh prince attacked and burnt the building.

        Aelfgar, earl of Mercia was outlawed by the witan. In revenge he built a force and allied himself with Welsh Gruffydd ap Llywelyn. After defeating the King's nephew, Radulf, they attacked Hereford and raided the church killing several canons and taking everything of value leaving the building on fire. The rebels also attacked Leominster. [1] [6]

        1056

        Death of Athelstan, bishop of Hereford; succeeded by Leofgar, who tried to take reprisals against Gruffydd, the Welsh Prince. [1]

        In reponse to the attack on Hereford Catherdal, Leofgar the bishop of Hereford took an army into Wales to deal with the Welsh prince. In battle Gruffydd ap Llywelyn killed the bishop and others near Glasbury on Wye. Earl Godwin raised an army in response but the two side eventually came to peaceful terms and Aelfgar was later restored to his position. [1]

        Gunnhilda

        ife of Swein (Sweyn) Fork-Beard and mother of Canute (Knut).

         

        Family Tree Details

         Gunnhilda
            +Swein (Fork-Beard) (b.960 - d.1014)
                = Canute (King of England 1016-1035) (b.995? - d.1035)
                    +Aelfgifu (of Northampton) (b.990? - d.1040)
                    |   = Swein
                    |   = Harold (Harefoot, King of England 1037-1040) (b.1015? - d.1040)
                    +Emma (of Normandy, Wife of Aethelred) (b.982? - d.1052)
                        = Harthacnut (King of England 1040-1042) (b.1018? - d.1042)
                        = Gunhildr
         Gunnhilda
            +Swein (Fork-Beard) (b.960 - d.1014)
                = Canute (King of England 1016-1035) (b.995? - d.1035)
                    +Aelfgifu (of Northampton) (b.990? - d.1040)
                    |   = Swein
                    |   = Harold (Harefoot, King of England 1037-1040) (b.1015? - d.1040)
                    +Emma (of Normandy, Wife of Aethelred) (b.982? - d.1052)
                        = Harthacnut (King of England 1040-1042) (b.1018? - d.1042)
                        = Gunhildr

        Guy (of Lusignan, King of Jerusalem)

        Born: circa 1159 Died: July 1194

        ..

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          1187(Age: 28yrs)

          The Christian Army of Jerusalem was beaten by Turkish forces at the Battle of Hattin. Guy of Lusignan was King of Jerusalem at this time. All Knights Templars and Hospitallers who survived the battle were executed afterwards. The Archbishop of Tyre, a man called Josias, was dispatched from the city to Europe to inform the Pope and European leaders of the disaster that had taken place and to ask for help. [2]

          1191(Age: 32yrs)

          Philippe Augustus landed in Acre in an attempt to remove Guy of Lusignan as the King of Jerusalem, and replace him with Conrad of Montferrat. [2]

          King Richard I met Guy of Lusignan (King of Jerusalem), Geoffrey (Richard's brother), Bohemund (Prince of Antioch), Raymond (Count of Tripoli), Humphrey of Toron and other knights to discuss the attempt by Philippe II of France to replace Guy of Lusignan with Conrad of Montferrat as the King of Jerusalem. [2]

          1192(Age: 33yrs)

          The Knights Templar hadn't held Cyprus for long before revolts by the local population forced them to sell the island on. They sold it to Guy de Lusignan who became its ruler.

          Gwynedd, Owain (Prince of Gwynedd)

          Born: circa 1109 Died: 1170

          Owain Gwynedd was the Prince of Gwynedd in North Wales during the reign of King Henry II. He was the eldest son of Gruffydd ap Cynan and succeeded to the kingdom of Gwynedd when his father died in 1137. He successfully increased the lands he held by attacking the other princes of Wales. In 1146 he turned his attention to the English who were moving into Wales. Owain attacked and captured Mold Castle. In 1148 he defeated English forces under the control of Ranulph, Earl of Chester. In 1157 King Henry II invaded Owain's northern territories, both by land as far a Rhuddlan and by sea all the way to Anglesey. A truce was agreed between the two rulers and Owain paid homage to the English King. In 1165 Owain joined the fight against the English in northen Wales and captured Basingwerk and Rhuddlan castles.

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          1157(Age: 48yrs)

          King Henry II invaded the northern territories of the Welsh Prince Owain Gwynedd. At truce was agreed and the Welsh Prince paid homage to English King.

          1165(Age: 56yrs)

          In an attempt to finally bring the Welsh princes under control King Henry II took a large army into north Wales. But the Welsh princes had combined their forces to create a single army of Welsh that matched the strength of the English. The Welsh had the advantage of terrain that they knew and this forced the English king to abandon his plans and return home.

          Selection of references used:

          • 1: Peter Potter, Data Donation
          • 2: John Gillingham, The Life and Times of Richard I, 1974, George Weidenfeld and Nicholson Limited (1974)
          • 3: The Plantagenet Chronicles, ISBN:1-85501-685-0
          • 4: David Charles Douglas, William the Conqueror: the norman impact upon England, University of California Press, 1977
          • 5: H.T. Evans, Wales and the War of the Roses, ISBN:ISBN-0-905-778-278
          • 6: Rev. H. W. Phillott, Dioresan Histories Hereford, 1888

            Explore the White Tower

            Explore all four floors of the White Tower at the Tower of London using the Unity 3d game engine.

            3D/VR

            Virtual Buildings

            Transport yourself back up to a thousand years and explore historical buildings as they may have appeared in the past.

            A Medieval Mystery

            There appear to be some strange connections between the fourteenth century Old Wardour Castle and ancient stone circle Stonehenge.

            1: Location

            Old Wardour Castle appears to be aligned to ancient sites in the Stonehenge landscape.

            2: Alignment

            Stonehenge is aligned to the Summer Solstice. Old Wardour has a very similar alignment.

            3: Size

            Could the builders of Old Wardour used mesaurements from Stonehenge to layout the geometrical keep?

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