The Defence of Medieval Brittany: a survey of the establishment of fortified towns, castles and frontiers from the Gallo-Roman period to the end of the Middle Ages

Abstract

The development of fortification in Brittany from the Gallo-Roman period to the end of the Middle Ages has recently attracted considerable local interest. Much valuable work has been done on both the documentary sources and the archaeological evidence but the results of these researches have not significantly entered into general discussions nor have these two aspects of the subject always been successfully combined by architectural historians and archaeologists. This paper aims to provide a basis for comparison with developments elsewhere by suggesting a chronology and examining some of the principal social and political factors leading to successive campaigns of fortification. In particular the development of feudal society, the role of the frontiers with neighbouring provinces and the relationship of dukes of Brittany with their leading lords (especially centring on problems of control, licensing and financing of castle and urban defences) are dealt with during a period when the duchy enjoyed a considerable degree of political independence from the crown of France.