The Mystique of Swiss Battles: The Confederates Were Known for Extreme Brutality and Death-Defying Courage

Swiss warriors of the 15th century cultivated a fearsome reputation across Europe, recognized for their brutal combat tactics and almost suicidal bravery. This martial prowess was deeply connected to a distinct spiritual outlook that influenced their conduct on the battlefield. Accounts from battles like Murten illustrate a potent blend of deep religious conviction and unyielding aggression.

During the Burgundian Wars, Swiss fighters gained notoriety for inflicting devastating massacres. This reputation was amplified by a warrior mysticism that permeated their ranks. A field letter from Zurich's vanguard captain, Hans Waldmann, from before the Battle of Murten, invoked divine aid: "The eternal God and his worthy mother and all the hosts of heaven, may they give you luck for your campaign and protect us with great honor and joy. Amen." Such appeals to the Virgin Mary were common in wartime, aligning with a battle oath that promised to protect women and spare holy sites.

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The eternal God and his worthy mother and all the hosts of heaven, may they give you luck for your campaign and protect us with great honor and joy. Amen.

The Battle of Murten, fought on June 22, 1476, pitted the Swiss Confederacy against Duke Charles the Bold of Burgundy. In a brutal cycle of retribution, the Burgundians had previously hanged and drowned 500 Swiss soldiers. In response, the Confederacy, adhering to a grim "no prisoners" policy, likely killed even more Burgundians, a level of violence that would be considered a war crime today. The atmosphere was consequently charged with intense animosity.

Even arriving late, the Zurich contingent of about 1,600 fighters sought to claim their share of the victory at Murten. Their chronicler noted that some soldiers had never witnessed death before, a fact that seemed to concern their captain. The reality of battle meant witnessing comrades and allied cavalry suffer agonizing deaths, with "many a Christian man seeing several riders shot in two." Despite such horrors, the Swiss forces charged and overwhelmed the Burgundian artillery positions, overwhelming their crews with a relentless assault.

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Many a Christian man saw several riders shot in two.