10 April - Fulbert of Chartres, born between 952 and 970 and died on 10 April 1028, was a renowned schoolboy. Author of liturgical poems and epistolier, he was appointed Bishop of Chartres in 1006.
He himself indicates in his poems that he came from a very modest background. As for his geographical origin, it is still very much debated: some people thought that he was a native of Rome or at least of Italy; others that he came from Poitou; still others that he was from the county of Roucy in Picardy. Once considered a pupil of Gerbert d'Aurillac, his trace can be found in Chartres as a canon and schoolboy from 1004. His teaching gained great notoriety there and prefigured the future schools of the town, although Fulbert cannot be directly linked to the revival of the 12th century. One learns not only theology, but also geometry, medicine and philosophy. Many and faithful will be his disciples. Among these, we know in particular: Bernard, the schoolmaster of Angers, Bérenger of Tours, Adelman of Liège, Hildegaire, Sigon. Fulbert is also renowned as an advisor to kings and princes, notably because of his close relationship with King Robert the Pious or Duke William V of Aquitaine.
King Robert the Pious of France appointed him Bishop of Chartres in 1006. He was consecrated at the end of October or early November by Liéry, Archbishop of Sens. He will be a conscientious and honest bishop, concerned about the independence of the Church, but also about peace and harmony in the respect of people. This is how he sought to reconcile Count Eudes II of Blois with the King of France.
He uses feudal law, which is highly respected in the north of the kingdom, while the southern territories practise it less and forget it. As such, Duke William V of Aquitaine consults him in a letter to ask him what obligations the vassal has towards his lord, as his vassal Hugues IV of Lusignan does not wish to obey him. Fulbert de Chartes answered him in a famous letter that fidelity can be summed up in six words: "salvation, security, honour, interest, ease and freedom of action" and that "For his part, the lord must in all this act in the same way towards his faithful".
On September 8, 1020, the cathedral of Chartres disappears in flames. Fulbert struggles to finance the construction of a new basilica. The crypt still remains. His musical gifts were put at the service of the liturgy and at the service of Marian worship, which he helped to develop.
