Geoffrey de Henlaw

Geoffrey de Henlaw (died 1214) was a physician and Augustinian who served as bishop of St Davids from 1203 until his death, and as prior of Llanthony Priory from to 1203.

Gerald of Wales states that Roger resigned after falling ill, while the History of Llanthony Priory has him remaining prior until his death. The first record of Geoffrey as prior is as a witness for a grant from Maurice of Berkeley.

Geoffrey gave Llanthony Priory a copy of Priscian's Grammatica (Lambeth Palace Library MS 195). It is the only book recorded as a donation from him to the priory, and its inscription indicates that it was given while he was bishop. No medical texts are known to have been donated by Geoffrey. According to Gerald, Geoffrey received Walter's support because he was Walter's physician.

In 1203, Pope Innocent III declared Gerald's election invalid. At a new election held at the Palace of Westminster and supervised by Geoffrey fitz Peter, Geoffrey de Henlaw was elected bishop of St Davids with the support of King John. He then resigned as prior of Llanthony. Geoffrey was consecrated bishop at Westminster on 7 November 1203.

Compared to the priory of Llanthony, the bishopric was poor, worth 20 marks a year compared to the 500 of Llanthony, but according to Gerald of Wales it was sought for the greater rank it provided. He also claimed, in De iure et statu Menevensis ecclesiae, that Geoffrey fell into gluttony and as divine punishment became paralysed. This is a duplicate of a passage from The History of Llanthony Priory that referred to Roger of Norwich. Gerald of Wales wrote that Geoffrey fitz Peter supported Geoffrey de Henlaw's election so that Llanthony Priory would become vacant, giving his son-in-law, Earl Henry, a freer hand in pursuing the separation.

In September 1204, in response to an appeal from Geoffrey de Henlaw to judge the status of Lanthony Secunda, Innocent III gave Geoffrey a mandate to bring the two sides together to resolve the dispute peacefully. To hear the case Innocent III appointed Gilbert Glanville, the bishop of Rochester, and the abbots of Reading and Chertsey.

Before the case was heard, the two sides negotiated with advice and counsel from the bishops of Worcester, Hereford, and St Davids. They reached a settlement, which Gilbert Glanville ratified.

Death Geoffrey died in 1214. He was succeeded as bishop of St Davids by Iorwerth on 21 June 1215.