The Counts of Sulz ruled the two small dominions from their seat in Klettgau (Baden). One of the first things Count Rudolph did was to rebuild Vaduz castle and fortify it with cannons. In 1528, 1531 and 1543, Count Rudolf built two round towers on the north and south side of Castle Vaduz and added the western wall that looks out over the valley. He also instituted a warning system where gunshots from the castles of Gutenberg, Bendern and Vaduz would warn the populace of impending attack. All the able-bodied men would then arm themselves and gather at Rankweil ready for battle.
The rights of the people were also improved. The Sulz established a court-municipality in each county. The local citizens appointed a president and twelve judges to represent them. The courts (the so-called time court or "Zeitgericht") convened twice a year. These rights were to last down to the present time and formed part of the foundation of the present state of Liechtenstein. He also abolished the old custom requiring all serfs to leave part of their property to their lord when they died and lowered the compulsory labors day to three in a year.
The Sulz were also able to keep their domains out of local disastrous wars and well as the on-going religious conflicts. They were Catholics and were able to persuade their charges to remain Catholic during the turmoil of the Reformation. Across the Rhine in Switzerland, the Protestant cause gained ground, especially with Zwingli (the great Swiss Reformer) preaching in his home at Wilhaus only 20 km from the border.
There was some excitement in 1553 when the Turks were threatening to invade Central Europe. The Sulz collected a special "Turkish Tax" to help fight the war. According to the records, seventy subjects in Schaan and Planken and fifty in Vaduz had to levy up for this special tax.
However there was a hard side to the Sulz rule. The teaching of Protestantism was strictly forbidden and its followers were exiled from the counties. The subjects of Sulz were forbidden to marry Protestants. In 1590, Count Karl-Ludwig proclaimed new laws governing usury and extravagance as well as requiring his loyal Catholic subjects to attend mass on Sundays and holidays and evening prayers. He also came out against swearing, wasting time in the local inns sitting about, playing cards, adultery, over indulging in food and clothing and general all around laziness. He told his subjects how to raise their children. Thus it might be said that the Sulz ruled Vaduz and Schellenberg with and iron hand in a velvet glove.
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