Geoffrey of Vendôme

Who was Geoffrey of Vendôme?

Geoffrey of Vendôme was a French Benedictine monk, writer and cardinal.

At an early age he entered the Benedictine community of the Blessed Trinity at Vendôme in the diocese of Chartres; and in 1093, while still very young and only a deacon, was chosen abbot of the community.

During all his lifetime he showed a great attachment to the Holy See. Thus, in 1094, he went to Rome in order to help Pope Urban II to take possession of the Lateran, still held by the faction of the antipope Clement III; the money which he offered to the custodian brought about the surrender.

In compensation he was created a cardinal-priest by Urban II, with the titular church of St. Prica on the Aventine. No less than twelve times did he make the journey to Italy in the interest of the Church of Rome during the pontificates of Urban II, Paschal II, and Callistus II; and on three different occasions he was made a captive.

In 1096 and 1107 he extended the hospitality of his monastery to Popes Urban and Paschal. He took part in the councils held at Clermont in 1095, by Pope Urban; at Saintes, in 1096, by the Apostolic Legate Amatus of Bordeaux; and at Reims, in 1131, by Innocent II.