One Million Mercernaries : Swiss Soldiers in the Armies of the World

The white mercenaries who attracted the world's attention in the Congo during the early 1960s were never more than a few hundred in number. In contrast, no fewer than a million Swiss troops served as mercenaries in the armies of Europe during the preceding 500 years. Swiss mercenaries form a significant strand in the rope of European military history, and this book draws on many French and German-language sources to describe how the Swiss emerged from the isolated valleys of the Alps with a new method of warfare. Their massed columns of pike-carrying infantry were the first foot-soldiers since Roman times who could hold their own against the cavalry. For a brief period at the end of the 15th century the Swiss army appeared unbeatable, and after Swiss independence had been ensured they were hired out as mercenaries throughout Europe. Kings and generals competed to hire these elite combat troops. Nearly half of the million served with the French, their centuries of loyal service culminating with the massacre of the Swiss Guards during the French Revolution. Marlborough, Frederick the Great and Napoleon all hired large numbers of Swiss troops, and three Swiss regiments served in the British Army. [Elib] An account of the Swiss soldiers of fortune who plied their trade in the foreign regiments of European militaries and even the American Civil War. The white mercenaries who attracted the world's attention in the Congo during the early 1960s were never more than a few hundred in number. In contrast, no fewer than a million Swiss troops served as mercenaries in the armies of Europe during the preceding 500 years. Swiss mercenaries form a significant strand in the rope of European military history, and this book draws on many French and German-language sources to describe how the Swiss emerged from the isolated valleys of the Alps with a new method of warfare. Their massed columns of pike-carrying infantry were the first foot-soldiers since Roman times who could hold their own against the cavalry. For a brief period at the end of the fifteenth century the Swiss army appeared unbeatable, and after Swiss independence had been ensured they were hired out as mercenaries throughout Europe. Kings and generals competed to hire these elite combat troops. Nearly half of the million served with the French, their centuries of loyal service culminating with the massacre of the Swiss Guards during the French Revolution. Marlborough, Frederick the Great and Napoleon all hired large numbers of Swiss troops, and three Swiss regiments served in the British Army. Section One: The Most Powerful Army In Europe Morgarten To Marignano 1315-1516 00 The Vacuum In The Heart Of Europe -- The Battles For Independence -- A Bellicose Society -- The Burgundian And Swabian Wars -- Early Mercenaries -- The Italian Wars -- Section Two: The Development Of The Mercenary System Bicocca To Arques 1521-1590 -- The Special Relationship With France -- The Organization Of The Mercenary System -- The French Wars Of Religion -- Section Three: The Heyday Of The Mercenary Business Ivry To Neerwinden 1590-1693 -- Official Swiss Troops In Other Armies -- The Military Revolution -- No Money, No Swiss -- The Introduction Of Standing Armies -- Section Four: The Decline Of The Mercenary Business Blenhein To Savannah 1704-1779 -- Service For Holland -- The Ancien Régime -- Reduced Attractiveness Of Mercenary Service -- Service In All The Armies Of Europe -- Last Throes Of Mercenary Service The Bastille To The Vatican 1789-today -- Loyalty And Honour -- For And Against Napoleon -- The Foreign Legion And The Papal Guard. By John Mccormack. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 206-217) And Index. No fewer than a million Swiss troops have served as mercenaries in the armies of Europe since the late-15th century. Drawing on many French and German-language sources, this is a history of Swiss mercenaries from when they emerged from the isolated valleys of the Alps with a new method of warfare.