Godfrey and Matilda had only one child, Beatrice, who was born in 1071 and died the same year.

The two spouses were on opposite sides in the Investiture Controversy: Matilda was a partisan of Pope Gregory VII and Godfrey of Emperor Henry IV.

[2] He warred on Henry's behalf against Magnus, Duke of Saxony, in 1075 and on that of the bishop of Utrecht in 1076 against Counts Dirk V of Holland and Robert I of Flanders.

[3] Despite Matilda's opposition he nominated his nephew Godfrey of Bouillon to succeed him,[2] but the emperor instead appointed his own son, Conrad.

Godfrey of Bouillon succeeded eventually in 1087 and gained fame on the First Crusade.