Legal Definitions - fief d'haubert

A fief d'haubert was a specific type of land grant under the feudal system, primarily in medieval France. It represented a significant landholding given by a lord to a vassal, with the fundamental condition that the vassal provide the lord with the service of a fully armed knight (or equivalent military force) whenever required. The term "haubert" refers to a coat of mail, symbolizing the heavy military obligation attached to the land. This type of fief was crucial for maintaining a lord's military strength and was distinct from other fiefs that might require different forms of service, such as agricultural labor or administrative duties.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Securing a Border

  Duke Armand, needing to secure his northern border against potential incursions, grants Baron Thibault a large estate, including a castle and several villages. The explicit condition of this grant is that Baron Thibault must always be ready to provide Duke Armand with two fully equipped knights and their retinues for 40 days of military service each year, or whenever the Duke calls upon them for defense. This land grant is a fief d'haubert because Baron Thibault receives significant land (the fief) in exchange for the specific military service of providing armed knights (symbolized by the "haubert").

• Example 2: Consolidating Royal Authority

  After conquering a rebellious province, King Louis divides some of the strategic lands among his most trusted captains to ensure ongoing control. Sir Gaston receives a fertile valley and its surrounding forests. In return, Sir Gaston is obligated to maintain a garrison of ten mounted knights at his own expense and lead them into battle for the King whenever summoned, thereby ensuring the King's authority in the region. This is a fief d'haubert because Sir Gaston's land grant comes with the explicit and substantial requirement to provide and lead a specific number of armed knights for the King's military needs, directly linking the land to military service.

• Example 3: Staffing a Strategic Outpost

  Lord Bertrand, whose lands border a hostile territory, grants a smaller but strategically vital parcel of land, including a fortified tower, to Sir Roland. The agreement stipulates that Sir Roland must personally reside in the tower and, at all times, be prepared to defend it and patrol the surrounding area with his squire and two men-at-arms, acting as a constant military presence. Even though it's a smaller grant, it functions as a fief d'haubert because the primary condition for holding the land is the continuous provision of military service and defense by Sir Roland himself and his immediate retinue, fulfilling the core military obligation.