Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 5 of 5
Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
The Federal Charter Of 1291 And The Founding Of The Swiss State, Albert Winkler
The Federal Charter Of 1291 And The Founding Of The Swiss State, Albert Winkler
Faculty Publications
The traditional date for the founding of the Swiss state is 1291 with the signing of the Federal Charter or Bundesbrief. The document was elevated to national significance not by historians or by the opinion of the Swiss people but as an act of government. It was unknown among the early historians of the Swiss Confederation, and many modern historians are skeptical about its authenticity and significance. Internal evidence suggests that the document was composed at a later date, and that it may be a forgery.
The Battle Of Murten: The Invasion Of Charles The Bold And The Survival Of The Swiss States, Albert Winkler
The Battle Of Murten: The Invasion Of Charles The Bold And The Survival Of The Swiss States, Albert Winkler
Faculty Publications
When Charles the Bold of Burgundy tried to create a new kingdom between France and the German Empire, he decided to conquer the Swiss states. His aggression started the Burgundian Wars from 1474 to 1477. Charles besieged the fortress of Grandson early in 1476. When the Swiss garrison surrendered, Charles had all four hundred of the defenders hanged. In the Battle of Grandson, the Swiss drove the Burgundian Army away, but Charles soon invaded again. This time he besieged the fortress of Murten, and the Swiss rallied all their forces to attack him. In the subsequent battle, the Swiss infantry …
The Approach Of The Black Death In Switzerland And The Persecution Of Jews, 1348–1349, Albert Winkler
The Approach Of The Black Death In Switzerland And The Persecution Of Jews, 1348–1349, Albert Winkler
Faculty Publications
When the Black Death approached the Swiss states in 1348, the news of the approaching pestilence traveled faster than the Plague. This gave the Swiss time to react and try to prevent its arrival. The Swiss did not know what caused the Black Death, but they feared that the Jews were poisoning water wells in order to cause the plague. At Chillon and elsewhere, Jews were tortured for confessions, which were clearly worthless. In a climate of fear and severe prejudice, Jews were killed in numerous communities including Basel, Bern, Zurich, and Kyburg by being burned to death. Execution by …
Zurich's Militia Records In The Fifteenth Century, Albert Winkler
Zurich's Militia Records In The Fifteenth Century, Albert Winkler
Faculty Publications
Switzerland was involved in a civil war from 1440 to 1446. To defend itself, Zurich called out its militia. In the militia records from 1442, the entire structure of the force can be reconstructed. A list of over two thousand names of the militiamen is presented. This includes their occupations, area of residence, the weapons they carried, and where they stood in the Zurich battle formation.
The Swabian War Of 1499: 500 Years Since Switzerland's Last War Of Independence, Albert Winkler
The Swabian War Of 1499: 500 Years Since Switzerland's Last War Of Independence, Albert Winkler
Faculty Publications
At the end of the fifteenth century, Emperor Maximilian I of the Germany Empire was trying to unite his country. He also tried to force the Swiss Confederation to become closer members of the empire. This lead to the Swabian War of 1499. In a series of battles and campaigns, the Swiss were successful in defeating the famous Swabian Landsknechte who had learned to fight in the Swiss manner. As an outcome of the war, the Swiss Confederation were even more independent of the German Empire.