Geoffrey de Mowbray

Geoffrey de Montbray (Montbrai, Mowbray) (died 1093), bishop of Coutances (Latin: Constantiensis), also known as Geoffrey of Coutances, a Norman nobleman, trusted adviser of William the Conqueror and a great , warrior and administrator.

Geoffrey, from his name, was apparently from Montbrai, Manche, in the arrondissement of Saint-Lô in the Basse-Normandie region of the former Duchy of Normandy.

In 1049 he obtained the see of Coutances, arranged by his brother Malger (see Mowbray). He was consecrated at Rouen on 12 March 1049, presumably by Mauger who was Archbishop of Rouen at that time. Later that year at the Council of Reims he was accused of simony, in other words, of having purchased his bishopric. In a skilful defence, Geoffrey claimed that without his knowledge his brother bought the bishopric for him. He was allowed to keep his see on giving of an oath of his good faith.

However irregular his election to the bishopric, Geoffrey discovered his new diocese was in very poor condition. For nearly a century the church in the Cotentin had not recovered from destruction at the hands of the Northmen. There was obstinate paganism, few canons, and no books, bibles, or ornamentation. A long line of bishops before him had resided at Rouen or Saint-Lô, and being so remote from the diocese little had been accomplished in restoring the see. The few relics that former clerics managed to save along with the bodies of two former bishops, St. Lô and St. Rumpharius ( c. 586) had been kept at the church of St. Sauveur in Rouen, given to Bishop Theoderic of Coutances by count Rollo as a temporary cathedral.

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