Every year hundreds of thousands of visitors come to Rome, with many of them posing for a photograph in front of the famous Swiss soldiers. However, most of these visitors are unaware of the “oath of loyalty”(4) that every soldier signs to protect the Pope. These soldiers’ jobs originate from the Helvetian soldiers. As a great latin historian, Tacitus, said, “The Helvetians are a people of warriors, famous for the valour of their soldiers.”(4) This namesake led to Pope Julius II calling on the Swiss Cantons(Helvetians) to become “Defenders of the Church’s freedom”(4) in 1512. Since that time the Vatican has employed Swiss guards to protect the Pope, and perform ceremonial roles for the Church. The Swiss and Papal guard are two separate,
…show more content…
This draws from an ancient tradition of Swiss soldiers being “virtually unbeatable and never switching sides.”(1) Originally there were Swiss Cantons who formed a small “overpopulated” country with “500,000 inhabitants.”(4) This overpopulation caused a distinct lack of food and money, plunging the country into a desperate economic situation, and nationwide poverty. Many people were forced to emigrate, and the “most profitable job” was that of a mercenary soldier.(4) Some 15,000 men were eligible for mercenary enlistment, and in exchange the Confederation of Cantons granted them “corn, salt, or other commercial goods.”(4) During the summers the mercenaries would venture out into war. There they’d stand “tall and impenetrable” as a rampart of soldiers.(4) Following the summer wars they’d return to the Confederation with their spoils, and live out their winters warm and fed. By the 13th and 14th centuries the Swiss Cantons had become independent, but many of their men were still out fighting in Germany and Italy. The “Cantons were unable to prevent this type of emigration” so they sought to organize …show more content…
The Swiss agreed to provide “from six to sixteen thousand men for the King” with the Cantons “benefiting from the protection of the most powerful European prince.”(4) The French and Swiss became permanent allies, although the Swiss never merged into the French army. The Cantons remained “sovereign” and “reserved the right to withdraw.”(4) they even had their own judges, flags, and spoke in German rather than French. In later agreements between France and the Cantons it would be stated that France was the Fatherland of the Canton
This draws from an ancient tradition of Swiss soldiers being “virtually unbeatable and never switching sides.”(1) Originally there were Swiss Cantons who formed a small “overpopulated” country with “500,000 inhabitants.”(4) This overpopulation caused a distinct lack of food and money, plunging the country into a desperate economic situation, and nationwide poverty. Many people were forced to emigrate, and the “most profitable job” was that of a mercenary soldier.(4) Some 15,000 men were eligible for mercenary enlistment, and in exchange the Confederation of Cantons granted them “corn, salt, or other commercial goods.”(4) During the summers the mercenaries would venture out into war. There they’d stand “tall and impenetrable” as a rampart of soldiers.(4) Following the summer wars they’d return to the Confederation with their spoils, and live out their winters warm and fed. By the 13th and 14th centuries the Swiss Cantons had become independent, but many of their men were still out fighting in Germany and Italy. The “Cantons were unable to prevent this type of emigration” so they sought to organize …show more content…
The Swiss agreed to provide “from six to sixteen thousand men for the King” with the Cantons “benefiting from the protection of the most powerful European prince.”(4) The French and Swiss became permanent allies, although the Swiss never merged into the French army. The Cantons remained “sovereign” and “reserved the right to withdraw.”(4) they even had their own judges, flags, and spoke in German rather than French. In later agreements between France and the Cantons it would be stated that France was the Fatherland of the Canton