1
Peasants, Wars and Lots of Treaties.
The Medieval Swiss Confederation III
Dr. phil. Heinrich Speich MAS
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
2
Questions on the lecture of 30.09.2022 ?
1. Short presentations of further battles 30’
3. How it all began: the early middle ages 30’
4. Abbeys, lords, peasants and towns 60’
5. Break
6. Exercise: The Federal Charter of 1291 45’
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
3
3. Alliance, agreement, contract, treaty,
friendship and combourgeoisie: The art of
contracting.
Dr. phil. Heinrich Speich MAS
Exercise: bilateral alliances between Bern and Fribourg
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
4
Content: 04.11.2022
1. Alliance, agreement, contract, treaty, friendship 40’
and combourgeoisie
2. The long 14th c.: from regional «Landfrieden» 40’
to the «Swiss Confederation» (1350 – 1450)
3. Case study 1: The «Habsburg issue» 20’
4. Break
5. Case study 2: «Bilateral alliances BE-FR» 30’
6. Preparation of the exam / research questions 30’
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
5
1. Alliance, agreement, contract, treaty,
friendship and combourgeoisie
August Bachelin 1867: Settlement of stilt-houses in the neolithics.
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
1. Mapping alliances
2. Alliance practice
3. Alliance types
4. Conclusions
6
Mapping alliances
15./17. c.
7
Mapping alliances
18./19. c.
8
Mapping alliances
Hektor Ammann / Karl Schib (ed.):
Historischer Atlas der Schweiz/Atlas
Historique de la Suisse/Atlante
Storico della Svizzera, Aarau 1951. Andreas Würgler:
Eidgenossenschaft, Article in:
Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz
(2012), Eidgenossenschaft (hls-dhs-dss.ch)
Nadir Weber, Philippe Rogger:
Unbekannte inmitten Europa.
Zur aussenpolitischen Kultur
der frühneuzeitlichen
Eidgenossenschaft, in:
Rogger/Weber, Beobachten,
Vernetzen, Verhandeln, Itinera
45 (2018), p. 22.
20. c.
9
Mapping alliances
Hektor Ammann / Karl Schib (ed.):
Historischer Atlas der Schweiz/Atlas
Historique de la Suisse/Atlante
Storico della Svizzera, Aarau 1951.
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
10
Mapping alliances
Guy P. Marchal,
Die Ursprünge
der Unabhängigkeit
(401-1394),
in: Ulrich im Hof
et al. (ed.),
Geschichte der
Schweiz und der
Schweizer, p.
186/187.
11
Mapping alliances
12
Michael T. Clanchy, From Memory
to Written Record. England 1066-1307,
Oxford 1979 (3rd ed. 2013).
Activities with texts:
- Making
- Using
- Keeping
Excursus: from memory to written record
13
Alliance practice
The contract is discussed
by the city council in the
town-hall. It is subject to
negotiations and compromises
The agreed text is written down in
a draft-paper (Nottel)
Luzern, Korporation Luzern / Eidgenössische Chronik des
Luzerners Diebold Schilling, p. 251: Der Stadtschreiber
von Luzern liest den Boten von Freiburg und Solothurn die
besiegelte Bundesurkunde mit Luzern, Bern und Zürich vor (1477)
Making
14
The contract is read aloud
to the public
The public (men over 14) is
swearing to follow the content
Luzern, Korporation Luzern /
Eidgenössische Chronik des
Luzerners Diebold Schilling,
p. 25: the oath of Lucerne 1332.
Alliance practice Using
15
bag for storing a charter in the archive
(1587 for the charter of 1294, resp. 1343)
Alliance practice Keeping
Fribourg, AEF, bourses d’archive No 5,
bearing the combourgeoisie with the
count of Neuchâtel of 1294
16
Contract type: Federal pact
Bilateral Pact with confederate allies
- Status of contracting partners
- Military assistance (no limits)
- Jurisdiciton and Arbitration
- Defined help-area
Schwyz, StASZ HA II 100. Luzerner Bund 1332
17
Contract type: Burgrecht / Combourgeoisie
• Contracted naturalisation under conditions (basic idea)
• Political contract / alliance
• Enforced protection
18
Contract type: Burgrecht / Combourgeoisie
Contracted naturalisation under conditions:
1. Reservations and aid commitments
2. Fiscal provisions (taxation)
3. Delimitation of the legal districts
4. Arbitration
5. Duration and renewal
- Military levy
- Access to urban market and credit business
19
Contract type: Burgrecht / Combourgeoisie
Counts of Neuchâtel
Abbey of Frienisberg (OCist)
Town: Neuveville de la tour
de Nugerol
1257
20
Contract type: Burgrecht / Combourgeoisie
Bern, StABE, C1a Fach Aarberg
(1257.03.25), Rudolf
of Neuchâtel gives the abbey of
Frienisberg Burgrecht
in the town of Neuveville de la Tour
de Nugerol
(…) that they may build a house
there, and have the rights of
Burgensie, with all the pertaining
rights and liberties (...)
21
Contract type: Burgrecht / Combourgeoisie
Bern, StABE, C1a Fach Aarberg
(1257.03.25), Rudolf
of Neuchâtel gives the abbey of
Frienisberg Burgrecht
in the town of Neuveville de la Tour
de Nugerol
Noverint presentes ac posteri, quod nos Bertoldus
comes Novicastri et Rodolfus fdius noster, pro remedio
animarum nostrarum et omnium parentum nostrorum,
contulimus libere et absolute aream unam sive
fundum in Villanova prope turrim de Nugerols viris
religiosis . . abbati et conventui de Frinisperc,
Cisterciensis ordinis, ut ibidem domum construant et
jus habeant burgensie cum omni libertate et juribus
universis, ita quod ab omnibus serviciis, talliis,
exactionibus et vexationibus liberi sint ipsi et domus
eorum penitus et quitati, sicut ordo ipsorum habere
libere consuevit in aliis villis, civitatibus et castellis
domos suas, excepto si seculares in eadem domo
commorentur, quod illi sicut ceteri burgenses vigiles
pro se habeant, tamen sine dampno domus; (…)
22
Contract type: Burgrecht / Combourgeoisie
Boniface de Challant,
Bishop of Sion
Town: Berne
Conflict between the bishop and nobles in the
upper Vallesian and Bernese valleys
1296
23
Bern, StABE, C1a Fach Wallis (1296.04.04)
Contract type: Burgrecht / Combourgeoisie
… we became citizens of Berne …
24
Contract type: Burgrecht / Combourgeoisie
Anna von Geroldseck
Town: Rottweil
- R.= Imperial town, imperial
law-court for upper Germany
- AvG = heiress
1395
25
Rottweil, StadtA, II. Arch., I.
Abt., Lade XLII, Fasz. 2, Nr. 4
Contract type: Burgrecht / Combourgeoisie
(…)That I have received and
sworn the Burgrecht of the city
of Rottweil (…)
26
Rottweil, StadtA, II. Arch., I.
Abt., Lade XLII, Fasz. 2, Nr. 4
Ich Anna von Geroltzegg her Hainrichs von Geroltzegg seligen
wilant ehesti hussfrouwe geborn von Ochsenstein vergich
offenlich und tuon kunt menglichem mit disem brief daz ich
daz burgrecht der stat ze Rotwil empfangen und gesworn
haun ze haltende fünf gantzi jare die nechsten nachenander
ze zellend nach datum dis briefs ungevarlich und darnach als
lang ich wil. Und darumb sol ich inen verglichs uf sant Martins
tag geben fünf pfund guoter haller ze stüre alle die wile und
ich daz burgrecht also halt. Ich sol inen ouch warten mit der
vesti Ruwenberg daz die ir offen huse sin sol zuo allen iren
nöten alle die wile und ich ir burgrecht also halt ane alle
geverde. Und ob daz were daz ich mit den egenanten von
Rotwil oder mit iren ützit ze schaffend hett oder gewunne alle
die wile und ich ir burgrecht halt darumb sol ich recht von in
nehmen vor irem schulthaissen ze Rotwil und mich da rechtz
von in 10 benügen lassen. (…)
Contract type: Burgrecht / Combourgeoisie
27
Contract type: Burgrecht / Combourgeoisie
Heinrich von Werdenberg
Rural communities: Glarus/Schwyz
1437
28
Contract type: Burgrecht / Combourgeoisie
LAGL AGA Cl. 51 Nr. 7(1437)
(Vidimus Eberhard Wüst, (1443)
29
Mapping alliances
Guy P. Marchal,
Die Ursprünge
der Unabhängigkeit
(401-1394),
in: Ulrich im Hof
et al. (ed.),
Geschichte der
Schweiz und der
Schweizer, p.
186/187.
30
Synopsis on late medieval «alliances»
Alliance treaties name the holders of political power as
contracting parties. They are always the result of
negotiations and compromises that took place not only
between the contracting parties but also within their political
environment.
The conclusion of a treaty creates the reality of an alliance.
However, this is always influenced by developments outside
the treaty.
Synopsis according to Schmid, Prolegomena (2019)
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
31
Synopsis on late medieval «alliances»
To grasp the social impact of alliances means first of all to
focus attention on all persons and groups who acted with and
in the alliance.
Secondly, it means isolating changes in the social structure that
can be essentially attributed to the fact of contractual political
ties between institutions - i.e. alliances.
But this also means being able to grasp the potential of the
contractual political bond for the formation of personal,
familial, group-related or institutional strategies.
Synopsis according to Schmid, Prolegomena (2019)
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
32
Synopsis on late medieval «alliances»
To this end, the properties inherent in alliances must first be mentioned:
Alliances are contracts between two or more partners. They come about
on the basis of shared legal principles and procedures.
They are the result of negotiations; their content and semantics refer to
the traditions and current concerns of all parties involved. In this way,
deeds of alliance build a bridge between local traditions.
They are the result of an exchange and influence local situations for
the period of their validity - and possibly beyond - just as much as
they are able to shape the nature and content of the exchange.
Synopsis according to Schmid, Prolegomena (2019)
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
33
Synopsis on late medieval «alliances»
Successful alliances are an expression of converging,
but not necessarily "common" interests - even if the
commonality of concerns can be inscribed in the alliance
document in a legitimising form.
Written down, cast in legal formulas and equipped with
normative (and thus generalising) principles, alliances
define their own, overarching frameworks for action.
Synopsis according to Schmid, Prolegomena (2019)
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
34
Synopsis on late medieval «alliances»
Covenants are contracts and thus follow legal principles and
are subject to negotiations referring to legal ideas.
Their conclusion therefore requires legal and diplomatic
know-how. They require specific knowledge and
competences.
Synopsis according to Schmid, Prolegomena (2019)
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
35
Synopsis on late medieval «alliances»
The content of the alliance provides for specific, alliance-bound roles,
especially with regard to arbitration, but also promotes the expansion of
existing roles - accounting, writing, military coordination.
The successful performance of such roles expands the knowledge and
know-how of those acting.
Alliance-building is part of the arcanum of urban politics; the transfer of
knowledge and know-how as well as the necessary relationships
happens partly within the council, but also within the family. Thus,
alliances become catalysts of social dynamics within the elites.
Synopsis according to Schmid, Prolegomena (2019)
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
36
Synopsis on late medieval «alliances»
Alliances are made by members of the leadership groups,
but in implementation they are supported by broader
groups of the population.
If the "common man" is included in the alliance by oath, he is
able to identify with it and derive his own political role from it.
Alliances thus always carry the potential for social
upheaval.
Synopsis according to Schmid, Prolegomena (2019)
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
37
2. The long 14th c.:
from regional «Landfrieden» to
the «Swiss Confederation» (1350 – 1450)
August Bachelin 1867: Settlement of stilt-houses in the neolithics.
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
38
5. Recap: Factors for urban communities
1. Freedoms and privileges
2. Municipal law, legal autonomy
3. Jurisdictional autonomy
4. The direct superior is only the King
(payment of taxes, revenue, law)
5. Coinage/fiscal law
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Origins, 30.09.2022
39
From town to city-state…
1. Emerging towns in the Swiss midlands:
2. Imperial and Royal cities: Zürich, Berne, Solothurn, Laupen etc.
3. Bishops towns: Basel, Constance, Lausanne, Geneva, Chur etc.
4. Noble rule: Schaffhausen, Winterthur, Zofingen etc.
5. Internal self-organisation and administration since the late 12th c.
6. Political (external) activities since the late 13th c.
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
40
From town to city-state…
Berne
41
From town to city-state…
Regimental organisation of Berne in
the 15th c.
Mayor
4 captains chamberlain
4 tribunes 17 further
= minor council
chancellor
major council
of «burghers» or «of the twohundred» offices
citizens
42
…from city state to Confederate Canton
1. Lucerne: 1332 pact with Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden
2. Zürich: 1351 pact with Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden and Lucerne
3. Berne: 1353 pact with Uri, Schwyz Unterwalden.
Epistle for Zurich and Lucerne
43
…from city-state to Confederate…
StABE C1a F Eidg.
(1353.03.06)
•Zurich
Berne•
Lucerne•
3 confed.
countries =forest cantons
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Origins, 30.09.2022
44
…from city-state to Confederate …
StABE C1a F Eidg.
(1353.03.07)
•Zurich
(1351)
Berne•
Lucerne
(1332) •
3 confed.
countries
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Origins, 30.09.2022
Epistle for Zurich and Lucerne:
no direct pact between the cities
Berne, Zurich and Lucerne
(bilateral character of the pact)
45
…from allies to members…
Sarnen, StAOW.
01.0103
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
…next time (4.12.)
46
3. Case study 1: The «Habsburg issue»
August Bachelin 1867: Settlement of stilt-houses in the neolithics.
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
Laupen 1339 Bregenz 1408
47
3. Case study 1: The «Habsburg issue»
August Bachelin 1867: Settlement of stilt-houses in the neolithics.
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
1780
Habsburgian posessions
1486«1315»
48
3. Case study 1: The «Habsburg issue»
August Bachelin 1867: Settlement of stilt-houses in the neolithics.
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
1315: Morgarten war
1350-1352: War on Zug and Glarus, Rapperswil
1380s: Sempach and Näfels war
1412: 20 jears-peace
1415: Conquest of the Aargau
1443: Imperial war against (some) Confederates
1460: Conquest of the Thurgau
1474: Ewige Richtung (eternal peace agreement)
1499: Swabian wars
49
3. Case study 1: The «Habsburg issue»
August Bachelin 1867: Settlement of stilt-houses in the neolithics.
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
«1380s»:
West to east:
- Burgdorf (1384)
- Luzern
(Sempach 1386)
- Zürich
- Glarus
(Näfels 1388)
Sempacherbrief
1393
50
3. Case study 1: The «Habsburg issue»
August Bachelin 1867: Settlement of stilt-houses in the neolithics.
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
1415: «conquest of
the Aargau»
51
3. Case study 1: The «Habsburg issue»
August Bachelin 1867: Settlement of stilt-houses in the neolithics.
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
1440-1446:
imperial war
against the
Confederates
52
3. Case study 1: The «Habsburg issue»
August Bachelin 1867: Settlement of stilt-houses in the neolithics.
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
1499
Swabian war
53
3. Case study 1: The «Habsburg issue»
August Bachelin 1867: Settlement of stilt-houses in the neolithics.
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
1474
Ewige Richtung
54
3. Case study 1: The «Habsburg issue»
August Bachelin 1867: Settlement of stilt-houses in the neolithics.
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
1499
Swabian war
55
Break
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
56
4. Case study 2: «Bilateral alliances BE-FR»
August Bachelin 1867: Settlement of stilt-houses in the neolithics.
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
57
Contract type: Burgrecht / Combourgeoisie
Town: Fribourg
Town: Berne
Contracts: 1243, 1271, 1341, 1403
58
StABE, C1a F.
Freiburg,
11.20.1243
17 x 21 cm
503 words
latin
From town to city-state…
Burgrecht
1243
BE-FR
59
From town to city-state…
StABE, C1a F.
Freiburg,
04.16.1271
24 x 25 cm
951 words
latin
Burgrecht
1271
BE-FR
60
Concluded
alliances of
Berne
(13th .c.)
From town to city-state…
61
StABE, C1a F.
Freiburg,
06.06.1341
36 x 34 cm
1054 words
german
From town to city-state…
Burgrecht
1341
BE-FR
62
Concluded
alliances of
Berne
(1339-1364)
in brackets:
indirect alliances
From town to city-state…
63
From town to city-state…
AEF, traités et
contrats 41,
78 x 64 cm
3825 words
german
Burgrecht
1403
BE-FR
64
Concluded
alliances of
Berne
(1364-1399)
From town to city-state…
65
Contract type: Burgrecht / Combourgeoisie
1243 Bern-Freiburg:
Burgenses utrique in ambabus civitatibus consimile ius habebunt.
1341
Die Forme des eidez alz wir untz her ze samen verbunden waren hein ernüweret
1271
Forma juramenti qua confederati erant (..) sunt et esse desiderant et tetentur
imperpetuum renovaverunt (…)
1403
ein ewig burgrecht an uns genomen und emphangen
66
Self-denomination
1243: Noverint universi hanc litteram inspecturi, quod de Friburch et de Berne
burgenses formam juramenti, sub qua confederati erant...
1271:
Noverint universi presentem litteram inspecturi , quod dominus Gonradus
de Vivirs scultetus , Consilium et Universitas de Friburgo ex una parte , et
dominus Chüno de Bübinberc scultetus , consilium et Universitas de Berno
ex altera formam juramenti qua confederati erant tempore ducis Bertoldi
de Zeringen , sunt et esse desiderant et tenentur in perpetuum ,
renovaverunt et recognoverunt concorditer in hanc formam…
67
1295: …scultetus, consules et communitas de Friburgo, sinceri amoris
constanciam cum salute.(…)
1308:
Salutation formula
Circonspectis viris et omni honore dignis, sculteto, consulibus et
communitati de Berno, amicis nostris dilectis et conjuratis karissimis,
scultetus, consules et communitas de Friburgo, suorum serviciorum non
ultimi, sincere dilectionis incrementum perpetuum cum salute. (…)
1368: …lieben fründen und eitgnoszen, dem schultheisz, dem rat und den
burgern von Berne (…)
68
1383:
Salutation formula
…Nach ünserm willigen dienst, lieben fründ und eytgnossen (…)
1389: …Nach unsern willigen dienst, lieben frünt und nachgeburen (…)
…frommen fürsichtigen und wisen, unsern besundren guotten fründen
und gar getrüwen lieben mitburgeren von Berne (…)
1453: …als ob wir in einer ringmur sament gesessen weren (…)
69
Questions?
70
5. Preparation for exam
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
71
5. Preparation for exam
Lerning-Taxonomy
of Benjamin Bloom:
Bloom's Taxonomy Center
for Instructional
Technology and Training University
of Florida
(ufl.edu)
72
Blooms Taxonomy:
Bloom's Taxonomy Center
for Instructional
Technology and Training University
of Florida
(ufl.edu)
73
Recap: Course objectives
1. The medieval Swiss Confederation as a research topic
seems far away and unimportant for East-Central European
students. There are though many similarities.
2. Basically, Swiss History is often dealt with under the plea of
being a “special case” in European history.
3. The course-topic is to investigate whether the introduced
processes and related events are of general-importance
or rather of regional significance.
74
Recap: Course objectives II
4. The Swiss Confederation is considered the reference-model
to test general medieval concepts such as
the fief-system,
conflict-resolution strategies,
the evolving city-states or
the politically emerging rural communities.
5. As a result, (national) historiography is questioned for its
accuracy to embed Swiss events and structures into a
transnational European History.
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
75
Recap: Learning outcomes I
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Introduction 23.09.2022
1. Students are aware of the specific topographical, historical and
methodological terminology of Swiss historiography
2. Students can locate main Swiss historic events of the medieval period in time
and space
3. Students can describe the methods of research and main sources for the
medieval Swiss history
4. Students are enabled to embed Swiss events and processes into the general
history of the time
5. Students can assign examples of events and processes regarding their
relevance for history and in the national historiography
76
Recap: Exam questions I.1
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Introduction 23.09.2022
Students are aware of the specific topographical,
historical and methodological terminology of Swiss
historiography
1. The geographical and political components of Switzerland: how are they
called ?
2. There are city-states and rural communities. Name at least five of them,
indicating their nature (city/rural/other)
3. What is the federal diet?
77
Recap: Exam questions I.2
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Introduction 23.09.2022
Students can locate main Swiss historic events of the
medieval period in time and space
1. The federal pact –according to the national tradition- was concluded in
which year? Alternative datations?
2. What happend in this year (situation in the empire)
3. Name, locate and date at least three medival battles of the Confederates,
the context and the outcome
78
Recap: Exam questions I.3
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Introduction 23.09.2022
Students can describe the methods of research and
main sources for the medieval Swiss history
1. What types of sources do we have from the early middle-ages?
2. What is the difference of the developments between the Swiss area and the
Czech lands in the early middle-ages?
3. Which one is the most preserved form of late-medieval sources in Swiss
archives?
4. What is a town-cronicle and how was it used in historiography?
79
Recap: Exam questions I.4
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Introduction 23.09.2022
Students are enabled to embed Swiss events and
processes into the general history of the time
1. The formation of the Swiss Confederation out of urban and rural
communities: explain and compare.
2. Explain the «special case» in Swiss historiography
3. Has neutrality of Switzerland medieval origins?
80
Recap: Exam questions I.5
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Introduction 23.09.2022
Students can assign examples of events and
processes regarding their relevance for history and in
the national historiography
1. Name the main phases in Swiss national historiography.
2. Explain the connection between political events/phases and Swiss national
historiography by examples
3. Compare Swiss and Czech national history in their decisive phases. Are
there similarities?
81
Recap: Exam question 2
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Introduction 23.09.2022
1. Students are aware of the specific topographical, historical and methodological terminology of Swiss
historiography:
In which phase a charter may have been described in the
following way? Explain.
«The pact of the forest-Cantons of 1291, or its renewal of 1315, is by far the closest and most perfect of all
confederate pacts, and it is only to be regretted that its provisions were not simply transferred to the later
members of the Confederation. All the later confederations, although much more detailed and broader in
content, are merely weakened versions of the first.
We therefore have every reason to present the wreath of honour to the men who created it, Arnold von Silenen,
Konrad ab Iberg, Werner von Attinghausen, Rudolf Stauffacher, Burkard Schüpfer, Konrad Hunn, Konrad von
Erstfelden. Swiss history has had more famous politicians, but hardly better and more successful ones.”
82
Recap: Exam question 3
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Introduction 23.09.2022
2. Students are enabled to embed Swiss events and processes into the general
history of the time
Locate the following text regarding time, space
and connected events or structures.
Time: When is the text being written?
Are there dates mentioned? termini post/ante quem?
Space: Where in Switzerland: are Names, Locations,
Communities mentionned? Names of Cantons, Cities, Nobles?
Events: What might the context be? Is there a concrete occasion?
Structures: Situation at the specific time?
83
Recap: Learning outcomes – question 3
StASZ HA II. 11
Fridericus dei gratia Romanorum imperator semper augustus, Ierusalem et
Siciliae rex, universis hominibus vallis in Switz fidelibus suis gratiam suam et
omne bonum.
Literis et nuntijs ex parte vestra receptis et vestra ad nos conversione et
devotione assumpta expositis et cognitis per eosdem, vestrae purae voluntati
affectu favorabili concurrimus et benigno, devotionem et fidem vestram commendantes
non modicum de eo,quod zelum, quem semper ad nos et imperium
habuistis, per effectum operis ostendistis sub alas nostras et imperij
(sicut tenebamini) confugiendo tanquam homines liberi, qui solum ad nos et
imperium respec-tum debeatis habere.
Ex quo igitur sponte nostrum et imperij dominium elegistis, fidem vestram
patulis brachijs amplexamur, favoris et benivolentiae puritatem vestris
sinceris affec||tibus exhibemus, recipientesvos sub nostra speciali et imperij
protectione, ita quod nullo temporevos a nostris et imperij dominio et manibus
alienari vel extrahi permittemus, dantes vobis certitudinem, quod plenitudenem
gratiae et favoris, isquam benignus dominus effundere debet ad subditos
et fidèles, vosgaudeatis in omnibus assecutos, dummodo in nostra
fidelitate et servi-tijs maneatis. Datum in obsidione Faventiae, anno domini
M° CC° XL°,mense decembri, XIIII» indictione
Text from: Aegidius Tschudi, chronicon helveticum vol. 2, p. 122.
84
Recap: Learning outcomes – question 3
StASZ HA II. 11
Frederick, by the grace of God, emperor of the Romans, always august, king of
Jerusalem and Sicily, to all the people of the valley in Switz, his faithful ones, his
grace and all good.
Having received the letters and messages from your side, and having explained
to us the conversion and devotion assumed by you, and being acquainted with
them by them, we meet with a favorable affection for your pure will, and with
kindness, commending your devotion and faith, not a little for the zeal which you
have always had for us and for your government, by the effect of the work you
have shown by fleeing under our wings and the empire (as we were held) as
free men, who owe only respect to us and the empire.
Since, then, you have freely chosen our dominion and empire, we embrace your
faith with open arms, favor and benevolence. We offer you the purity of our sincere
affections, receiving you under our special and powerful protection, in such
a way that we will not permit any temporal ones to be alienated or taken out of
our and imperious dominion and hands, giving you the certainty that the fullness
of grace and favor, as a kind lord must pour out to his subjects and faithful ones,
may you rejoice in all that you have achieved, provided you remain faithful to us
and your servants.
Given at the siege of Favente, in the year of the Lord MCCXL, in the month of
December, the 14th indictment.
Text: Tschudi, chronicon,vol. 2, p. 122. Translation: “google translator”
85
Recap: Exam question 4
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Introduction 23.09.2022
3. Students can describe the methods of research and main sources for the
medieval Swiss history
Locate the following text regarding time, space
and connected events or structures.
Time: When is the text being written?
Are there dates mentioned? termini post/ante quem?
Space: Where in Switzerland: are Names, Locations,
Communities mentionned? Names of Cantons, Cities, Nobles?
Events: What might the context be? Is there a concrete occasion?
Structures: Situation at the specific time?
86
Recap: Learning outcomes – question 4
(…) Zurich makes an everlasting alliance with
the four forest-cantons of Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz
and Underwalden and became confederate. But
this bond was not certified until the following
year.
The city of Zurich was besieged for the first
time by Duke Albrecht of Austria on September
13 with 2’000 horses and 20’000 foot soldiers.
There were in person 5 princes, 5 bishops, 26
counts and the cities Strasbourg, Basel, Bern,
Freiburg im Breisgau, Solothurn, Schaffhausen
and Neuchâtel.
87
Recap: Exam question 4
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Introduction 23.09.2022
3. Students can describe the methods of research and main sources for the
medieval Swiss history
Locate the following text / image regarding time, space
and connected events or structures.
Time: When is the text being written/designed?
Are there dates mentioned? termini post/ante quem?
Space: Where in Switzerland: are Names, Locations,
Communities mentionned? Names of Cantons, Cities, Nobles?
Events: What might the context be? Is there a concrete occasion?
Structures: Situation at the specific time?
88
Recap: Learning outcomes – question 4
Time: When is the text/image being created?
Are there dates mentioned? Termini post/ante
quem?
Space: Where in Switzerland: are Names,
Locations, Communities mentionned? Names
of Cantons, Cities, Nobles?
Events: What might the context be? Is there
a concrete occasion?
Structures: Situation at the specific time?
Diebold Schilling, Great Burgundian Chronicle
BBB Mss. Hist. Helv. I.3, S. 757 p.
89
Recap: Learning outcomes II
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Introduction 23.09.2022
1. Students can locate main Swiss historic events of the medieval period in time
and space
2. Students can describe the methods of research and main sources for the
medieval Swiss history
3. Students are enabled to embed Swiss events and processes into the general
history of the time
4. Students can assign examples of events and processes regarding their
relevance for history and in the national historiography
90
Questions on November 4?
Heinrich Speich – Peasants, wars and lots of treaties. Alliances, 04.11.2022
1. Alliance, agreement, contract, treaty, friendship 30’
and combourgeoisie
1. The long 14th c.: from regional «Landfrieden» 30’
to the «Swiss Confederation» (1350 – 1450)
3. Case study 1: The «Habsburg issue» 30’
4. Break
5. Case study 2: «Bilateral alliances BE-FR» 30’
6. Preparation of the exam / research questions 15’
91
Content on December 9:
1. The «Old Zurich War» (1436-1450) 20’
2. The «Burgundian Wars» (1476-1477) and the treaty of Stans 20’
3. The Italian Wars (1500-1525) and Swiss Neutrality 20’
4. Case study : The «Agreement of Stans 1481 20’
5. Conclusion 30’
6. Break
7. Written exam:
- 3 short Questions on «Swiss medieval history» 10’
- Text-analysis of a charter 20’