The Swiss at War 1300-1500 (Men-At-Arms Series, 94) [Paperback]

Douglas Miller (Author), Gerry Embleton (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Men-at-Arms | Publication Date: November 8, 1979

During the 14th and 15th centuries military tactics in Europe underwent a period of sustained transformation of which the outcome was the rejuvenation of the footsoldier as the major tactical unit. One nation alone stands principally responsible for this development – the Swiss Confederation. For centuries the mounted knights had 'ridden roughshod over the populations of Europe'. It was in the Swiss halberdier and later the pikeman that the mounted men-at-arms were to meet their match. This absorbing text by Douglas Miller provides an account of rise of the Swiss army to its tactical zenith, beginning with the classic encounter at Morgarten.

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From the Publisher

Packed with specially commissioned artwork, maps and diagrams, the Men-at-Arms series is an unrivalled illustrated reference on the history, organisation, uniforms and equipment of the world's military forces, past and present.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (November 8, 1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0850453348
• ISBN-13: 978-0850453348
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.1 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,173,554 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating insight into the Renaissance, January 9, 2007

By 

M. Dalton "big-dummy" (New Orleans, Louisiana United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Swiss at War 1300-1500 (Men-At-Arms Series, 94) (Paperback)

We get to read in high school and undergraduate History courses all about the great Monarchies and Empires of Olde Europe (TM) but we never see anything like this. Who outside of Europe ever knew that the greatest and most feared army of Europe in the Renaissance was that of a small Confederacy of city-states and forest cantons in Switzerland, the Helvetic Confederacy or the so called Old Swiss Confederacy (even while the most powerful Navy at the same time was that of the Republic of Venice).

These people who invented modern warfare, also took democracy to another level and even ELECTED their military leaders on the very eve of crucial battles. Based on the contempt people have for Democracy today you would assume that this would be a recipe for disaster, but the Swiss met the best Armies of Europe, including that of the mighty Austrian Hapsburgs and Charles the Bold (along with his contingent of the allegedly undefeatable British Longbowmen), and annihilated them time and time again. With each sub-unit retaining it's independence and operating under multiple elected (and unelectable) leaders, one might expect the Swiss armies to be disorganized and parylized with indecision, but the Swiss showed how democratic organization can work when people want to work togehter; the Swiss Reislauffer were characterized by their fearless courage, tight battlefield discipline, and hair trigger boldness in battle.

Tables in this Osprey book show ranks of pikemen and halberdiers made up of a bakers guild, a butchers guild, a cobblers guild and the like. The history of all of the battles, from the first victory by three tenuously unified Cantons over an invading Hapsburg army to the defeats of Charles the Bold two Centuries later. Reading this book will make you want to learn more about the Old Swiss Confederacy, and about the History of Europe in general.

Emperor Maximillion of the Holy Roman Empire invented the Landsknechts in a conscious attempt to mimic the success of the Swiss. The Osprey book Landknecht Warrior contains yet more detailed information about the Swiss at War.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good primer of a little-known warring people., November 11, 2008

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JAG 2.0 (IN United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: The Swiss at War 1300-1500 (Men-At-Arms Series, 94) (Paperback)

I felt that Osprey's treatment of this subject was quite good. The plates, as usual for an Osprey title, are very good. The story of the rise of the Swiss armies is an interesting one and worthy of greater depth that Osprey obviously cannot provide.

Coverage of weapons and tactics is good. Coverage of the history of the formation of the Swiss confederation that became modern Switzerland is brief, but covers the pertinent facts.

One must have a certain amount of admiration for the men of little valleys and villages, as well as large towns, who band together to fight thoroughly professional, noble armies. Like most great revolutions from below, they are men who make their own laws, govern their own land, and fight their own wars - on foot, with long spears in formation with others like themselves, and on their own ground. At a time when armored, noble cavalry dominated, these men defeated them.

This Osprey title is definitely worth the money. Kudos to Douglas Miller, Gerry Embleton, and Osprey for one of the few English-language titles illuminating the tough Swiss halbardier and pikeman.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Revolution in Battle, August 27, 2008

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Ky. Col. - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Swiss at War 1300-1500 (Men-At-Arms Series, 94) (Paperback)

After the defeat of the Macedonians at Pydina by Rome's legions, one might have thought the days of the pike were over. True, some armies after Pydina used spear formations to stop cavalry such as the Scots at Bannockburn, but it ironically fell to the tough people of what is now Switzerland to really start a pike revolution in Europe. Originally famous for their Halberds and the ambush warfare that led to victory at Mortgarten, the Swiss realized their tactics needed improvement so they adopted the pike. Soon they would become feared by forces all over central and western Europe. The crowning achievment of the Swiss was likely their rout of the proud and powerful Burgundian army at Morat. Decades later, the Swiss were still respected and feared though on the fields of Italy, their time in the spotlight was running out. Overall an interesting and consice book on the rise of Swiss warfare.