The Service of Swiss Mercenaries Was at Its Peak During the European Renaissance
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The service of Swiss mercenaries was at its peak during the European Renaissance (14th – 17th century), where their proven battle-drill formation of the pikemen was considered to be the most effective arrangement at the time. In addition, their prized fierce loyalty, high motivation and aggressiveness made them sought-after mercenary troops. Their dominance lasted for nearly three centuries, and enjoyed a virtual monopoly on pike-armed mercenary service. The Swiss were described by Italian historian Guicciardini, “the nerve and the hope of an army.” Pope Julius II asked the Swiss government to provide him with a constant corps of Swiss mercenaries as personal bodyguards. The first contingent of 150 soldiers entered the Vatican January 22, 1506; the official date of the Swiss Guard's foundation. The Swiss guards that served the Pope were amongst the most elite mercenaries of their time. The loyalty of the Swiss guard was tested during the sack of Rome in 1527. Pope Clement VII terminated his alliance with the Holy Roman Empire and formed an alliance with King Francis I of France, resulting in the War of the League of Cognac. Roman Emperor Charles V was victorious over the French army on Italian soil. However, he didn’t have the financial means to pay his 34000 soldiers, which consisted of Imperial Italian infantry, some cavalry, 6000 Spanish- and 14000 German mercenaries. The troops threatened with a major mutiny, which led the Emperor to the decision to sack Rome for its treasures. Rome, the capital of the Papal States, seemed an easy target, as it did not have much of a garrison. The city's defence mustered about 5,000 militiamen and 189 Swiss guards. The city was stormed on May 6th, 1527. Captain Caspar Röist, the Commander of the Swiss Guard, assembled his small force of men in the Teutonic Cemetery within the Vatican, to stave off the attacking force. He dispatched about 42 guards, led by Hercules Goldli, to escort the Pope to safety. The remaining Swiss fought bitterly, but were immensely outnumbered. Captain Röist was wounded and killed by Spanish soldiers in full view of his wife, Elizabeth Klingler. In an event known as the last Stand of the Swiss Guard, the Swiss fell back and reorganized at the Saint Peter’s Basilica steps, (steps to Heaven), where the remaining 147 were killed. None of the Swiss surrendered. It was the guards’ intention to protect the single entry into the Basilica, where the other 42 guards, the Pope, and his entourage made their way through the secret exit in the walls of the Basilica. They escaped across the Passetto di Borgo (a unique 800-meter secret corridor) to the Castel Sant’Angelo, an impregnable papal fortress. After the brutal execution of about 1,000 militiamen which had been taken prisoners, the pillage began. Invaluable art treasures and finest artisan-made gold and silver wares, were lost forever. One month later, Pope Clement VII agreed to pay a ransom of 400,000 ducati (gold or silver trade coins) in exchange for his immunity. Pillaging finally ended eight months after the initial attack, when the city's food supply ran out and no one was left to ransom. The number of casualties of the defenders seemed to be horrific. However, in contrast, they inflicted heavy losses upon their invaders. About 15,000 were killed or wounded, because the defenders made full use of the massive city walls as a tactical fortification. They also possessed a good artillery force, which the Imperial army lacked. The Sack of Rome impacted the history of Italy and Catholicism. Rome suffered depopulation and an economic collapse, causing artists, scientists and philosophers to scatter. It took decades to rebuild Rome. Charles V reformed the Church according to his own image. Pope Clement VII, afraid of another violent conflict, submitted to newly set policies by Charles V, among them naming cardinals nominated by the latter (unworthy from any religious standpoint) and crowning Charles V in 1530. The Swiss guards’ demonstrated loyalty ensured that they would remain the Pope’s bodyguard until the present day. The modern-day Swiss Guard serve both as ceremonial unit and bodyguards. It is still one of the oldest, continuous standing military units in the world, but also the smallest. Apart from the ceremonial outfit, the guards are well equipped today, including tactical gear, Sig SG 550 rifles, Sig Sauer P220 and Glock 19 pistols, and Heckler & Koch MP7 submachine guns. In commemoration of the Swiss Guard's bravery in defending Pope Clement VII, recruits to the Swiss Guard are sworn in on May 6th every year. .