 The idea was that such men would be more tractable and less likely to alienate the fief from the crown out of their own greed.The province had a single provincial court ("Landgericht") and a central administration with its seat at Hagenau.Frederick II designated the Bishop of Strasbourg to administer Alsace, but the authority of the bishop was challenged by Count Rudolf of Habsburg, who received his rights from Frederick II's son Conrad IV.