The Swiss Mercenaries - Fierce Fighting Unit of the Middle Ages

  

Swiss army (left) -- The Battle of Sempach 1386. From the Luzerner Schilling

Mention Switzerland, and people will often associate it with its picturesque alpine scenery, exquisite chocolate, renowned hotel industry, flavorful cheese, precision watches, innovative pharmaceuticals, iconic Swiss army knife, and, of course, its historical role in banking and harboring the wealth of various individuals, including dictators. Nearly everyone would agree that Switzerland is a prosperous country. For instance, its major city, Zurich, is consistently ranked as one of the best cities in the world in terms of quality of life. However, there was a time when Switzerland faced poverty, prompting many of its citizens to seek employment abroad. During the late Middle Ages, numerous Swiss men were recruited as mercenaries by foreign countries and kingdoms. Their reputation as a cohesive and formidable fighting unit is legendary, as they engaged as soldiers of fortune in some of the most brutal wars of medieval Europe. The Swiss indeed have a long-standing history of being renowned 'warriors'.

"The Helvetian Limbo Rock"

In Roman times, present-day Switzerland was inhabited by Gallic tribes known as the Helvetii or Helvetians. They were mentioned by Julius Caesar in his "Comentarii de Bello Gallico," a narrative of Caesar's campaign in Gaul that describes how various Gallic tribes were subdued by the Romans around 50 BC. The Helvetians were the first tribe that Julius Caesar encountered in his campaign in Gaul, and he had a particular interest in pursuing them due to a score to settle between the Romans and the Helvetii.

According to Julius Caesar's own account, in the year 111 BC, a group of Germanic tribes led by the Tingurii (a sub-tribe of the Helvetians) invaded the Roman "Provincia Narbonesis" (present-day Provence, France). In the year 107 BC, they defeated the army of Roman Consul Lucius Cassius Longinus, resulting in the consul's death. The captured Roman soldiers were then required to pass under a yoke set up by the victorious Gauls (I refer to this as the "Helvetian Limbo Rock"). However, despite this ritual, the Gauls ultimately killed the captured Romans or possibly sold them into slavery. This event was taken as a grave insult demanding vengeance.

Julius Caesar took the opportunity for revenge. In 58 BC, he halted a mass migration of Helvetians into Gaul, defeating them in battle and forcing their vastly reduced tribe to return to their own territory.

19th C. painting of Charles Gleyre "The Helvetians force the Roman to pass under the yoke"

Confoederatio Helvetica - The Swiss Confederacy

During the fifth century AD, Germanic tribes progressively pushed the Romans back toward the Italian peninsula. In the year 406, the Alemanni tribe settled in the eastern region of Switzerland, while another tribe, the Burgundians, established themselves in the western part around 440. These tribes are considered to be the precursors of modern-day Switzerland.

Charlemagne (768-814) incorporated a significant portion of Switzerland into his extensive Empire, and following its fragmentation, the territories were divided between the Kingdom of Burgundy in the west and the Kingdom of the Franks in the east. However, by 1032, almost all Alpine lands had been integrated into the Holy Roman Empire.

The Swiss military tradition dates back to the founding of the Swiss Confederation in the 13th Century, a time when some of its people opposed the ambitions and encroachments of a wealthy family upon their lands. This family originated near the river Aarau, just a few miles from Zurich. Their formidable castle-fortress, known as "Habichtsburg" (the hawk's fortress), stood tall above the town of Aarau, serving as a constant reminder of their growing power. Much like a hawk (or "habicht" in old German) vigilantly overseeing the land. This castle fortress would later be known as "Habsburg," the family and its descendants who would come to rule over nearly half of the world and had Swiss origins.

Interestingly enough, Swiss democracy did not take root in the large and advanced cities or towns of Switzerland. Instead, it was conceptualized by the "mountain people," dwellers of the Alpine region who simply desired to be left in their pastoral tranquility. (Many of us are familiar with the legend of William Tell.)

On August 1, 1291, three mountain cantons in the Alpine regions – Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwalden – formed an alliance to collectively defend peace and enhance the autonomy of their region against Habsburg incursions. Their united efforts, documented in the Federal Charter of 1291, represent one of the oldest written documents of the Swiss Confederacy, marking the roots of the Swiss nation.

Subsequently, the Swiss achieved significant victories against Habsburg forces in two pivotal battles: Morgarten in 1315 and Sempach in 1386. They fought and convincingly defeated the Habsburg army, ensuring that it never posed a serious threat to Swiss democracy thereafter. This prompted questions in Europe about these people. Where did they acquire their military prowess? Who trained them? One legend emerged: that the Swiss were trained by Templar Knights who had fled the persecution of the King of France and sought refuge in the Swiss mountain regions.

Following these triumphs, neighboring European countries began hiring Swiss mercenaries for their own conflicts against the Habsburgs and in wars amongst themselves, ushering in the era of Swiss mercenaries.

The Swiss Federal Charter of 1291 (Bundebrief)

Reisläufer

Referred to in their native Germanic language as "Reisläufer," which literally translates to "one who goes to war," Swiss mercenaries played a significant role in various notable conflicts, including "The Hundred Year War." They were esteemed for their renowned tactic of launching massive attacks in formidable columns, employing their distinctive weapons – the pike and halberd.

Swiss mercenaries were typically enlisted as contingents through agreements with different cantons, which often maintained a system for training these militias for domestic purposes.

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Reenactment of Swiss Pike men in position

Reenactment of a Swiss mercenary unit with halberd

Swiss Halberd

Limited economic opportunities in predominantly rural Switzerland during that era attracted numerous young Swiss men to pursue careers as mercenaries, where pay and incentives were favorable. The feudal economy in Switzerland differed significantly from neighboring countries due to the challenges posed by cultivating mountainous areas. Additionally, the unpredictable alpine weather further compounded the difficulties faced by peasant farmers. (Interestingly, the Swiss have a continued fondness for discussing the weather.)

Just as original creations often serve as models for imitation (as seen with Rolex watches), Swiss mercenaries became a source of inspiration. One notable example is the German "Landsknecht," who not only adopted pike weapons but also emulated Swiss tactics. This group also met the demand for mercenaries across various European armies for several decades. However, like any entities within a shared trade, these two mercenary groups evolved into bitter rivals. They found themselves engaged in some intense medieval conflicts, potentially creating quite a spectacle.

Landsknecht

Swiss Guards

Due to their established reputation as a dependable military force, Swiss mercenaries were frequently enlisted as guards for prominent royal households throughout Europe. For instance, in 1480, Louis XI of France established the "Cent Suisses" (Hundred Swiss), drawn from a contingent of mercenaries, to serve as his personal bodyguards. These Swiss guards continued to serve the French Kings until 1817.

In the early 1500s, the Swiss took on an unexpected role as bodyguards, finding employment with an unlikely employer: the Pope. In 1503, upon the election of Julius II as Pope, he approached the Swiss Diet or Parliament to request the deployment of 200 Swiss mercenaries to form his personal military unit. Subsequently, in September 1505, the initial group of Swiss mercenaries set forth toward the Vatican and arrived in Rome on January 22, 1506 – a date now commemorated as the foundation day of the Pontifical Swiss Guards.

The present day Swiss guards at the Vatican grounds.

Decline

As the 16th century dawned, the effectiveness of the pike attack employed by Swiss mercenaries began to wane with the emergence of rudimentary firearms like the arquebusier. The introduction of heavy cannons further compounded their predicament, resulting in piles of Swiss mercenary casualties strewn across post-battle landscapes. The once predominant approach of densely packed close combat became outdated and incurred a heavy toll on the lives of these soldiers. Consequently, the popularity of Swiss mercenaries experienced a decline during the mid-16th century.

Over the subsequent centuries, Swiss mercenaries continued to participate in European conflicts such as the "War of the Spanish Succession" and the "War of the Austrian Succession." They were even enlisted against Britain during the American Revolutionary Wars. The final appearance of Swiss mercenaries was noted when a regiment fought for Spain in the Battle of Bailén in 1823.

The Swiss Constitution of 1848 marked the prohibition of military alliances. This prohibition, coupled with the stringent enforcement of their neutrality, led to the retention of solely ceremonial services to the Pope. Thus, the chapter of Swiss mercenaries in history came to a close.

It was only in 2002 that Switzerland attained membership in the United Nations (UN),

                                                                                  POSTSCRIPT


                                        Much of Swiss History could be seen in the country's symbols:

Swiss stamp Helvetia. She personifies Switzerland

Swiss coin with bust of Helvetia "Confoederatio Helvetica" is the official name of Switzerland in Latin. It is in reference to the early settlers of the country the Helvetii or Helvetians

Swiss car sticker- CH stands for Confoederatio Helvetica. The sticker is obligatory to Swiss vehicles.

                                                                II. Monument for the Swiss Guards

The Lion Monument in Lucerne. In honor of the fallen Swiss Guards in Tuileries Palace, France

In 1792, during the peak of the French Revolution, an armed mob launched an attack on the Tuileries Palace, where King Louis XVI and his family were residing. Approximately 900 Swiss guards were tasked with defending the palace. Despite the armed group's demand for the Swiss guards to relinquish their position, they steadfastly held their ground. Although the King issued orders not to confront the mob, a miscommunication led one group to engage prematurely. Tragically, 600 Swiss guards were mercilessly slain within the confines of the palace grounds, while the remaining guards were captured and subsequently subjected to a massacre.

In honor of the courageous Swiss guards at the Tuileries Palace, a monument was erected in Lucerne. Atop the wounded lion – symbolizing protection of the Bourbon standards – were inscribed the Latin words: "HELVETIORUM FIDEI AC VIRTUTI" (To the Loyalty and Courage of the Swiss).

 

                                                                    III. The Pontifical Swiss Guards

The ceremonial Swiss Guards at St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican. In this photo, at the back of the ceremonial Guards are two Swiss guards in plain clothes. They are also part of the security details of the Pope.

Admission Requirements  for Swiss Guards

1) Male/Single
2) Must be a Swiss citizen
3) Roman Catholic
4) Between 19 to 30 years old
5) At least 174 cm. tall
6) Finished the equivalent of Swiss professional school or high school




                         
                                                           IV. The Swiss Army Today        

Helvetia embraced neutrality but her citizens are ready for defense once attacked

                                                      
   

The Swiss army as a national unit has not been seen in action in any wars for centuries .

                                                                                                           

A citizen's army for "Defense": Every able-bodied Swiss male is a soldier. At 19, they undergo a medical examination, and if they pass, they commence military service the following year, undergoing 120 days of rigorous training at a toughening recruiting HQ. Prior to reaching the age of 36, they are also obliged to complete a refresher course. Those recruits aspiring to become NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers) must complete an additional 148 days of service. Swiss citizens conclude their military duty upon reaching the age of 50, while officers continue until 55.

Swiss individuals who are exempt from military duty are expected to contribute to the auxiliary forces (such as wardens or ambulance services) or to pay an annual tax