LEGENDARY BATTLES OF THE OLD SWISS CONFEDERACY
When looking at historical events, especially those which took place centuries ago, it’s nice to be able to identify the sides in a conflict and label one “the enemy”. We’ll acknowledge that the winners usually define the events. The three forest cantons of Uri, Schwyz, & Unterwalden who signed a mutually defense pact in 1291 found the ideal foe in the Habsburgs. The latter owned the land & would not guarantee freedom to the confederates -a clear conflict of interest. According to legend a key turning point in early Swiss Confederate history occurred when the Habsburg’s bailiff Gessler ordered William Tell to shoot an apple off his son’s head. In this spotlight, however, we will focus on later events on the series of battles which took place in the 1300s & 1400s.These early years of the Helvetic Confederation are frequently called the “heroic epoch of Swiss history”.
Early clashes with the Habsburgs occurred over territorial claims and tended to be rather minor. They came to a head in 1315 at the Battle of Morgarten when a militia of men from Schwyz, Uri, & Unterwalden -mostly farmers & herdsmen- ambushed and defeated the well-trained and equipped army led by Duke Leopold I on the shores of Lake Ägeri in the territory of Schwyz. Leopold’s aim was to crush the rebellious Confederates. Some historians point out that the Confederates, unfamiliar with the customs of battles between knights, brutally butchered the retreating troops. This of course contributed to the fierce reputation of Swiss soldiers. One of the significant events recorded at this battle was the first use of seven-foot halberds against the Austrian army. These weapons would be forever associated with Swiss Confederate soldiers. The battle of Morgarten is commemorated today with a yearly target shooting event held near the monument, Morgartenschiessen.
We can thank Gioachino Rossini for introducing one of Switzerland’s best-known heroes to the world- Yes, The William Tell Overture”. Some of you will recognize it as the theme of the “Lone Ranger” TV show of the 1950s. Although the image of William Tell & his son is ubiquitous throughout Switzerland, another hero usurps his status in the history of Switzerland. Arnold von Winkelried embodies courage and sacrifice for the love of one’s country. Every school child recognizes his name & deed at the Battle of Sempach in 1386 when he threw himself upon Austrian pikes to open a breach in the Habsburg lines to enable his comrades to attack & defeat Leopold III’s army. The decisive victory was a turning point in the foundation of the Swiss Confederacy consolidating a loose pact of cantons into a significant political & military power. This dealt a severe blow to Austrian interests who were defeated again in 1387 at the Battle of Näfels. A monument commemorating the battle is located in Stans.
By the mid-1400s the Swiss had built a significant reputation for their valor & as fierce warriors, experts in the use of spears, the long pike & halberd. Throughout Europe they were hired as mercenaries- to this day they guard the Vatican. Fearing the expansionist goals of Charles the Bold of Burgundy, and wanting to protect their borders, the Swiss negotiated an alliance with the Austrians, setting aside for strategic purposes their differences with their old foe. Shortly thereafter they declared war on Burgundy in 1474 winning a quick victory at the Battle of Héricourt and soon thereafter the Swiss routed Charles’ Savoyard ally, Jacques of Savoy, in the Savoyard held Vaud & Valais regions. Charles the Bold deemed it imperative to defeat the Swiss in order to prevent them from forming an alliance with the French which led to a series of battles, known today as The Burgundian Wars. They make fascinating reading. The most famous was the Battle of Grandson in March of 1476, followed in June of that same year by the Battle of Morat (Murten) crushing their opponent and establishing the Swiss Confederation as a major player in European affairs and the beginning of the end of the Burgundian State. (For a detailed account of the battles, click here). The series of major victories by the Swiss Confederates ended in 1478 at the Battle of Giornico when the Swiss army of 600 men routed the 10,000 army of the Duke of Milan.
Checkout the videos & web sites by clicking on the various highlighted links above.
When looking at historical events, especially those which took place centuries ago, it’s nice to be able to identify the sides in a conflict and label one “the enemy”. We’ll acknowledge that the winners usually define the events. The three forest cantons of Uri, Schwyz, & Unterwalden who signed a mutually defense pact in 1291 found the ideal foe in the Habsburgs. The latter owned the land & would not guarantee freedom to the confederates -a clear conflict of interest. According to legend a key turning point in early Swiss Confederate history occurred when the Habsburg’s bailiff Gessler ordered William Tell to shoot an apple off his son’s head. In this spotlight, however, we will focus on later events on the series of battles which took place in the 1300s & 1400s.These early years of the Helvetic Confederation are frequently called the “heroic epoch of Swiss history”.
Early clashes with the Habsburgs occurred over territorial claims and tended to be rather minor. They came to a head in 1315 at the Battle of Morgarten when a militia of men from Schwyz, Uri, & Unterwalden -mostly farmers & herdsmen- ambushed and defeated the well-trained and equipped army led by Duke Leopold I on the shores of Lake Ägeri in the territory of Schwyz. Leopold’s aim was to crush the rebellious Confederates. Some historians point out that the Confederates, unfamiliar with the customs of battles between knights, brutally butchered the retreating troops. This of course contributed to the fierce reputation of Swiss soldiers. One of the significant events recorded at this battle was the first use of seven-foot halberds against the Austrian army. These weapons would be forever associated with Swiss Confederate soldiers. The battle of Morgarten is commemorated today with a yearly target shooting event held near the monument, Morgartenschiessen.
We can thank Gioachino Rossini for introducing one of Switzerland’s best-known heroes to the world- Yes, The William Tell Overture”. Some of you will recognize it as the theme of the “Lone Ranger” TV show of the 1950s. Although the image of William Tell & his son is ubiquitous throughout Switzerland, another hero usurps his status in the history of Switzerland. Arnold von Winkelried embodies courage and sacrifice for the love of one’s country. Every school child recognizes his name & deed at the Battle of Sempach in 1386 when he threw himself upon Austrian pikes to open a breach in the Habsburg lines to enable his comrades to attack & defeat Leopold III’s army. The decisive victory was a turning point in the foundation of the Swiss Confederacy consolidating a loose pact of cantons into a significant political & military power. This dealt a severe blow to Austrian interests who were defeated again in 1387 at the Battle of Näfels. A monument commemorating the battle is located in Stans.
By the mid-1400s the Swiss had built a significant reputation for their valor & as fierce warriors, experts in the use of spears, the long pike & halberd. Throughout Europe they were hired as mercenaries- to this day they guard the Vatican. Fearing the expansionist goals of Charles the Bold of Burgundy, and wanting to protect their borders, the Swiss negotiated an alliance with the Austrians, setting aside for strategic purposes their differences with their old foe. Shortly thereafter they declared war on Burgundy in 1474 winning a quick victory at the Battle of Héricourt and soon thereafter the Swiss routed Charles’ Savoyard ally, Jacques of Savoy, in the Savoyard held Vaud & Valais regions. Charles the Bold deemed it imperative to defeat the Swiss in order to prevent them from forming an alliance with the French which led to a series of battles, known today as The Burgundian Wars. They make fascinating reading. The most famous was the Battle of Grandson in March of 1476, followed in June of that same year by the Battle of Morat (Murten) crushing their opponent and establishing the Swiss Confederation as a major player in European affairs and the beginning of the end of the Burgundian State. (For a detailed account of the battles, click here). The series of major victories by the Swiss Confederates ended in 1478 at the Battle of Giornico when the Swiss army of 600 men routed the 10,000 army of the Duke of Milan.
Checkout the videos & web sites by clicking on the various highlighted links above.
