Giraldus claimed that he had heard about Eleanor's adultery with Geoffrey from the saintly Bishop Hugh of Lincoln, who had learned of it from Henry II of England, Geoffrey's son and Eleanor's second husband. Eleanor was estranged from Henry at the time Giraldus was writing, and the king was trying to secure an annulment of their marriage from the Pope. It would have been to his advantage to declare her an adulterous wife who had had carnal relations with his father, for that in itself would have rendered their marriage incestuous and would have provided prima facie grounds for its dissolution.
Giraldus reported that he heard about Eleanor's infidelity with Geoffrey from Bishop Hugh of Lincoln, who was informed by Henry II, Geoffrey's son and Eleanor's second husband. At the time Giraldus wrote, Eleanor was estranged from Henry, who was seeking an annulment of their marriage from the Pope. This situation was complex, as Henry could benefit from labeling Eleanor as an adulteress, which could potentially invalidate their marriage on grounds of incest if she had been with Geoffrey.
This claim of adultery would complicate Eleanor's position, as it would not only affect her marital status but also impact her reputation and political standing. By asserting that she had been unfaithful with Henry's father, Henry could further his cause for annulment, making the case stronger by introducing severe moral implications. Thus, Giraldus’s account reflects not just scandal but also the intricate dynamics of power and personal relationships in the royal court.