Enforcement of the Forma Fidelitatis: The Techniques Used by Fulk Nerra, Count of the Angevins (987-1040)
Bernard S. Bachrach
During that period of medieval history which Marc Bloch so conveniently labeled first feudal age,1 a lord who ruled an area substantial size was faced with the problem assuring loyalty and support hisfideles. This particularly acute regard tofideles were charged command strongholds, because defection castellan could require extensive military operations if to reassert his authority.2 The superiority defensive technology over offensive capability often meant powerful dukes counts compelled mount extended sieges in order obtain surrender relatively insignificant castellans controlled stone castra.3 Despite obvious problems be caused by disloyal castellans, ambitious nobles France throughout eleventh century during much twelfth built fortifications licensed theirfideles build strongholds.4 premier builder half Fulk Nerra, count Angevins from 987 1040, subsequently won historians sobriquet le grand batisseur.5 Although carried on very building operations, he
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