| In the 15th and early 16th centuries 22:56 - Jun 28 with 786 views | Guthrum |
Swiss mercenary pikemen were known for their sheer bloody-minded doggedness, charging even the best troops and strongest positions and fighting through to victory if any were left alive.
On occasions, notably, against the French. |  |
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| In the 15th and early 16th centuries on 23:08 - Jun 28 with 729 views | Ryorry |
TWTD, the home of cultured football comments  |  |
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| In the 15th and early 16th centuries on 23:36 - Jun 28 with 682 views | Oldsmoker |
Switzerland became a country in 1848.
So they weren't really Swiss in the 15th and 16th Centuries.
Then again, I wouldn't care where somebody came from if they were trying to stick a pike in me - I'd run away. |  |
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| In the 15th and early 16th centuries on 23:45 - Jun 28 with 673 views | Churchman |
| In the 15th and early 16th centuries on 23:36 - Jun 28 by Oldsmoker |
Switzerland became a country in 1848.
So they weren't really Swiss in the 15th and 16th Centuries.
Then again, I wouldn't care where somebody came from if they were trying to stick a pike in me - I'd run away. |
‘I say, may I have details of your country of origin?’ Wouldn’t be the first thing on my mind with one of those things pointing at me either.
In the 14th and 15th century Genoese crossbow men were feared and employed extensively. That’s an idea for Sampdoria if they want to win more.
The king of the battlefield at that time though was the war bow. Bad news if you were the wrong end of the field if a mob of English or Welsh archers were angry about something. [Post edited 28 Jun 2021 23:49]
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| In the 15th and early 16th centuries on 23:52 - Jun 28 with 659 views | Guthrum |
| In the 15th and early 16th centuries on 23:36 - Jun 28 by Oldsmoker |
Switzerland became a country in 1848.
So they weren't really Swiss in the 15th and 16th Centuries.
Then again, I wouldn't care where somebody came from if they were trying to stick a pike in me - I'd run away. |
The Swiss Confederation did exist as a political unit, albeit a very loose one. Altho the cantons sometimes fought each other, they would usually combine against outsiders, or to field mercenary contingents. They were certainly thought of as Swiss by their enemies and employers. | |
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| In the 15th and early 16th centuries on 00:00 - Jun 29 with 647 views | HARRY10 |
They were also advised not to disclose their name if asked
"don't tell him, Pike" |  | | |
| In the 15th and early 16th centuries on 00:03 - Jun 29 with 642 views | Oldsmoker |
| In the 15th and early 16th centuries on 23:52 - Jun 28 by Guthrum |
The Swiss Confederation did exist as a political unit, albeit a very loose one. Altho the cantons sometimes fought each other, they would usually combine against outsiders, or to field mercenary contingents. They were certainly thought of as Swiss by their enemies and employers. |
Yep. A battleground for the rest of Europe.
The people of that region did seem to join together against a common enemy and then when they'd repulsed that enemy got back to fighting amongst themselves.
The Germans, French and Italians all took a bite from time to time which is why they those areas still speak those languages.
Being the country where every other country had to go through to get somewhere else didn't help. | |
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| In the 15th and early 16th centuries on 00:10 - Jun 29 with 633 views | Guthrum |
| In the 15th and early 16th centuries on 00:03 - Jun 29 by Oldsmoker |
Yep. A battleground for the rest of Europe.
The people of that region did seem to join together against a common enemy and then when they'd repulsed that enemy got back to fighting amongst themselves.
The Germans, French and Italians all took a bite from time to time which is why they those areas still speak those languages.
Being the country where every other country had to go through to get somewhere else didn't help. |
Most of the fighting took place in Italy (Guelphs and Ghibellines, Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy, French and Spanish). The Swiss just provided the troops, as did English veterans of the Hundred Years War in an earlier phase (John Hawkwood and the White Company). | |
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| In the 15th and early 16th centuries on 00:23 - Jun 29 with 615 views | Oldsmoker |
| In the 15th and early 16th centuries on 00:10 - Jun 29 by Guthrum |
Most of the fighting took place in Italy (Guelphs and Ghibellines, Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy, French and Spanish). The Swiss just provided the troops, as did English veterans of the Hundred Years War in an earlier phase (John Hawkwood and the White Company). |
Let's gloss over the French invading and forming the Helvetic Republic.
Only lasted for 5 years. | |
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| In the 15th and early 16th centuries on 09:06 - Jun 29 with 477 views | ElephantintheRoom |
More impressively they kept the Nazi hordes and Steve McQueen at bay with a few rolls of barbed wire. And a promise to look after their loot. | |
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| In the 15th and early 16th centuries on 09:09 - Jun 29 with 472 views | Keno |
you sure> They dont look that tough
The one on the right is saying "Dont tell him your name Pike, man" |  |
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| In the 15th and early 16th centuries on 12:00 - Jun 29 with 413 views | Guthrum |
| In the 15th and early 16th centuries on 00:23 - Jun 29 by Oldsmoker |
Let's gloss over the French invading and forming the Helvetic Republic.
Only lasted for 5 years. |
That was 250 years later (poor old Suvorov struggling up the pass in foul weather, too late). The Swiss had long lost their fierce reputation by then. After smashing the Hapsburgs at Mortgarten and Sempach, people generally left them alone in their mountains, which was why Geneva became a safe-house for Calvin and other religio-political radicals during the Reformation.
An interesting side-note - in the 1806 Battle of Maida, in southern Italy, both sides fielded Swiss troops (the ones on the French side wearing red coats, confusingly given their opponents were largely British). | |
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