Geoffrey Talbot was a medieval Anglo-Norman nobleman during the civil war of King Stephen of England"s reign.
Background
Talbot was the son of Geoffrey Talbot, who owned lands at Swanscombe in Kent. Her ancestry is unclear, with David Crouch stating she was a member of the de Lacy family, and the Complete Peerage states she was probably the daughter of Walter de Lacy and Emma, and sister of Roger and Hugh de Lacy. Katharine Keats-Rohan, however, states that Agnes was probably the daughter of Helto Dapifer.
Career
The younger Talbot"s mother was Agnes, wife of the elder Talbot. The family was connected in some way with the de Lacy family, as the younger Geoffrey named Gilbert de Lacy as his relative. According to some historians, Agnes was Gilbert de Lacy"s aunt, which if true would make de Lacy and Talbot first cousins.
He was also a relative of Sybil, the wife of Pain fitzJohn, who was his heiress.
He probably served as a household knight for Robert, the Earl of Gloucester. Talbot was present at the Easter court held by King Stephen at Westminster, along with a number of other nobles, magnates, and ecclesiastics.
This was part of a concerted rebellion by Matilda"s supporters, many of whom were connected with Matilda"s half-brother Robert. Talbot may have been the chief instigator of the rebellion.
By mid-May, Stephen was besieging Talbot in Hereford Castle, a siege that lasted until mid-June, when the castle surrendered.
Talbot escaped, and fled to the de Lacy castle at Weobley Castle, which also was besieged and surrendered. Again, Talbot escaped capture and fled to Bristol, where Matilda"s supporters were gathering. Talbot and de Lacy then launched an attack on the town of Bath.
While scouting, the two men were attacked by forces from the city, and Talbot was captured by forces under the control of the bishop of Bath, Robert of Lewes.
The Empress" forces then arranged a parley with the bishop and offered him a safe conduct, but when the bishop showed up at the meeting, he was threatened with hanging unless Talbot was released. Talbot was released, but this event led to difficulties between the bishop and King Stephen, who accused the bishop of supporting Matilda, and was only with difficulty persuaded to accept the bishop"s explanation.
In October 1139, Talbot was once more in charge of Hereford and withstood an attack by Miles of Gloucester, a supporter of King Stephen. By 1140, he had lost control of the castle and was attempting to regain control of lieutenant
Participant of his efforts included fortifying Hereford Cathedral.
He was joined in his siege efforts by Miles of Gloucester. He was buried in Gloucester Abbey. The lands at Swanscombe were divided between Talbot"s two nieces, Cecily and Agnes, the daughters of Sybil and Pain fitzJohn.
Agnes married first Warin de Mountchesney and second Haldenald de Bidun, and her descendants held the barony of Swanscombe until 1324, when the line died out.