[citation needed] He had an elder brother Geoffrey, and three sisters, Maud, Alice, and Aveline.

[2] Godfrey was dean of St. Martin le Grand in London before being appointed Archdeacon of Derby in the diocese of Lichfield in about 1171.

He also held prebends in the dioceses of Exeter, Lincoln, London and Salisbury.

[1] Godfrey was nominated to the see of Winchester 15 September 1189 and consecrated as Bishop 22 October 1189.

Both died without heirs early in the reign of Richard I (r. 1189–1199) and their lands were—after protracted litigation that lasted until the reign of Henry III—divided between their sisters and aunts and their heirs.