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Swiss Pikemen Formation Around the 13Th Century Switzerland Had Mercenaries Who Were Notable for Their Service in Foreign Armie

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Swiss Pikemen Formation Around the 13Th Century Switzerland Had Mercenaries Who Were Notable for Their Service in Foreign Armie Swiss Pikemen formation around the 13th century Switzerland had mercenaries who were notable for their service in foreign armies, from the Later Middle Ages into the Age of the European Enlightment. The Swiss had gradually developed a reputation throughout Europe as skilled soldiers, due to their successful defense of their liberties against their Austrian Habsburg overlords, starting as early as the thirteenth century. They scored remarkable upset victories over heavily armored knights. At the Battle of Näfels in April 1388, for instance, the Swiss recorded a decisive victory despite being outnumbered sixteen to one. Most Swiss warriors were sought-after mercenary troops valued for the power of their determined mass attack in deep columns, armed with 25-foot long pikes. Swiss pikemen organized themselves only slightly different than other armies but to great effect. Forming up huge square formations, pikes pointing at the enemy, and marching a fast paced steamroller assault earned them brilliant victories. In addition, such pike columns were invulnerable to cavalry charges. Hiring them was made even more attractive because entire ready-made Swiss mercenary contingents could be obtained by simply contracting with their local government. Switzerland has had, until this present day, national service in which each male citizen is bound to serve. The Swiss, highly organized and well-drilled troopers, refusal to take prisoners, consistent record of victory, and known for their brutality in close combat, were greatly feared and admired. A chronicler described the Confederates at the Battle of Morgarten, as brutally butchering everything that moved and everyone unable to flee. He records that towards the end of the battle, some of the walking wounded infantry would rather drown themselves in the adjacent lake than face the brutality of the Swiss. This founded their reputation as barbaric, yet fierce and respectable fighters. The Valois King of France, in fact, considered it a virtual impossibility to take the field of battle without Swiss pikemen as the infantry core of his armies. Equally impressed seemed Pope Julius II, and 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, today given as the official date of the Swiss Guard's foundation. Swiss Mercenaries were dressed very colorful and could be spotted miles away. Their bright, garish outfit served for the purpose to identify other fellow Swiss mercenaries. If contracted by opposing sides, the Swiss plainly refused to fight each other. Swiss victories ended in 1522 with complete disaster at the Battle of Bicocca, today Italy, their losses more than 3,000 men and most of the officers, when combined Spanish and German Landsknecht forces decisively defeated them using fortifications and new technology, namely handguns. The Swiss were very much aware of the development of guns, but believed the rate of fire would be too slow, inaccurate and unreliable. It can be argued if it was arrogance- overconfidence in their own supposed invincibility—which defeated the Swiss. They attempted repeatedly in their fashion to frontally storm an impregnable defensive position, only to be mown down by small- arms fire. Never had the Swiss suffered such awful casualties while being unable to inflict much damage upon their foe. .
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