[2] Godfrey and his family, the so-called House of Ardennes-Verdun, were loyal to Henry II, whose reign was troubled by a disputed succession and factional conflict.

The chronicle of the bishops of Cambrai, in its entry for 1017, openly complains that the sisters of Henry II's own wife, Cunigunde of Luxembourg, were arousing rebellions against the status quo.

Her brothers were rebels in several parts of the empire: Count Frederick of Luxembourg, Archbishop Adalbero of Trier, Bishop Thierry II of Metz and Henry V, Duke of Bavaria, who was deposed from his dukedom in 1009.

[4] The entry of Flanders into Lotharingia was a major turning point, balancing the power of the House of Ardenne, and giving Lambert and his own family a new long-run ally.

Godfrey's cousin the bishop of Cambrai, Gerard, reluctantly gave permission for Herman's daughter to marry Regnier, in the interests of peace.

[8] Later in 1018 Godfrey II was crushingly defeated and captured when leading imperial forces against another rebel, Dirk III, Count of Holland.

[10] Godfrey was the first of his family, the Verdun branch of the House of Ardenne, to be given the high position of Duke over the northern or "lower" part of the old "Middle kingdom" of Lotharingia, or Lorraine.