Geoffrey never visited England to offer practical assistance .
Geoffrey never instead sent Henry as a male figurehead -- beginning in 1142 when Henry was only 9 -- with a view that if England was conquered it would be Henry that would become king .
Geoffrey never visited England to offer practical assistance but instead sent Henry as a male figurehead -- beginning in 1142 when Henry was only 9 -- with a view that if England was conquered it would be Henry that would become king .