Geoffey, born was the oldest son of Fulk IV Réchin and his second wife Ermengarde of Bourbon. She was the daughter of Archambaud IV, Sire de Bourbon. In his youth his bravery in battle won him the nickname "Martel the second". He was so named after his Geoffrey II of Anjou. Elias I, Count of Maine intended to go on crusade with Robert "Curthose", Duke of Normandy, who had already left. Elias asked Robert's brother William Rufus for protection for a crusader's lands while he was away. William flatly refused and made it known he wanted Maine (province) for himself. Elias was then captured, brought to William Rufus in chains and . Geoffrey IV had been contracted to marry Elias's daughter, Eremburge. Geoffrey hurried to Maine to defend against any attacks by William Rufus. At the same time his father created a on the border of Normandy. Elias however, did not trust Fulk Réchin and agreed to give William Rufus control of Maine for his release. William Rufus took Maine back and held it until his death in 1100.