Keep Swiss

See also: Swiss (homonymy)

The Swiss Gardes indicate military units Suisse S of Mercenaire S, which were employed by sovereigns for their protection, as well as the guard of their residences. One finds them many near European courses as from the 15th century, until the 19th century, as well in France, as in Austria, Savoy, or with Naples for example.

It is necessary to distinguish the Swiss guards from the regular regiments the Swiss ones (mercenaries also), which fought for the various European powers and were not generally called “Swiss guards”. Moreover the term “Keeps Swiss” referred today very often only to the only still existing Swiss guard, the pontifical Swiss Garde.

General information

The recruitment of these troops of elite, close to the capacity, was particularly selective. The units of the guard had the step on the ordinary Swiss regiments. Officers and soldiers enjoyed privileges and their balance was relatively high.

With François Ier

François Ier successor of Louis XII fights in the Milanese to take it again. The duke of Milan pays the Swiss guards and soldiers to defend oneself. The French and the Swiss ones meet with Marignan in 1515, the Swiss ones are overcome after having bravely resisted the attack of the French knights. François Ier thus reconquers the Milanese.

In France

See also: Swiss Guards (France)

In 1573, Charles IX of France instituted the Swiss guards. In 1616, Louis XIII of France organized the Swiss guards in regiments.

In the military household of the King, the French guards had preeminence on the Swiss guards, those came only after them. They carried a red uniform raises of blue. They perceived a double pay. At the time of the Day of August 10th, 1792, it defended with bravery the King and the palate of the Tuileries. Almost totality was massacred by crowd, after having, on order of Louis XVI of France, ceased fire and deposited the weapons. Certain Swiss guards which were killed at the time of the catch of Tileries, were buried with the expiatory Chapelle with Paris (today public garden Louis XVI).

The Maison of the King included/understood a Swiss body of soldiers called Swiss guards or Members of the Swiss Guards .

In Austria

August 1st

In the Papal States

See also: pontifical Swiss Guard

The pontifical Swiss Guard is charged to take care of the safety of the Pape. It is the last still existing Guard Swiss (of the detachments of mercenaries Suisse S which was used as close guard and protocolar in different course European as from the 15th century).

It is of oldest and smallest the Armée with the world still in activity.

Museums

External bonds

  • Swiss Guards under the Revolution
  • Museum of the Swiss guards in Rueil-Malmaison.
  • Memory of the Swiss Guards

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