He was installed as Comte de Hainaut in 958 after Comte Reginar [III] was banished. "Otto…rex" granted property confiscated from "Ymmo in villa Castra et in pago Darnegouue ac in comitatu Rotberti comitis", at the request of "Godefridi comitis", to "fideli nostro Tietboldo" by charter dated 11 Jun 958. "Otto…rex" granted property "villa Vuambia sitam in pago Heinia in comitatu Godefridi" held by "Engibrandus" by charter dated 13 Jun 958. It is not certain that Gottfried Comte de Hainaut was the same person as Gottfried Duke of Lower Lotharingia [who died in 964]. However, after the death of the latter, "Otto…imperator augustus" granted property "in loco Uillare…terram olim Godefridus bone memorie dux noster" to the convent of Saint-Ghislain (in Hainaut) at the request of "Richarius comes" by charter dated 2 Jun 965, "Richarius comes" being identified as Gottfried's successor in Hainaut. He was appointed [associate] Duke of [Lower] Lotharingia. Bruno archbishop of Köln confirmed an exchange of property "Baldau, quam Sigifredus comes…acquireret" for "in villa Nohas…in pago Heislensi in comitatu Tulpiaco" between the abbot of Stavelot and "comite Warnero fideli nostro" by charter dated 953 "regnante rege Ottone fratre nostro, anno xviii, Godefrido duce". Vanderkindere suggests that this charter should be redated to 959, to support the hypothesis that the two appointments of Gottfried and Friedrich, as associate dukes in Lower and Upper Lotharingia respectively, occurred simultaneously. "Godefridi ducis" subscribed a charter dated 964 issued by the abbot of Prüm.
The Continuator of Regino names "Godefridus dux Lothariensis" among those who died of plague in Italy in 964. Ruotger's Vita Brunonis records that Duke Bruno sent "auxiliares" to Lotharingia, of whom "Godefridus dux", adding that Bruno had raised Gottfried himself, and that he was so convinced of Gottfried's worthiness that he considered it unnecessary to offer donations for his soul. 2
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