Swiss Pikemen: Perhaps the Greatest Soldiers of Medieval Europe

The Swiss were always celebrated as some of the greatest warriors in the world. They gained great respect beginning with the ancient Roman army and especially from their foes in the Medieval period. The Swiss pike square formation became the model for the modern infantry regiment for nearly 200 years from the 14th to the 16th centuries.

They were the most sought after mercenaries in Europe and some leaders wouldn't take the battlefield without some in their ranks. Learn what tactics they used to successfully defend their homeland against all odds. Their legacy still lives to the present day as the Swiss Guard.

[Gummibaerchen]

It's over europe, switzerland has the highground!

[vladmatei]

I always wondered why the swiss were not conquered, especially during the Middle Ages. The explanation with the difficult terrain was never enough for me. After seeing your video, I begin to understand: the word Militia has a completely different signification for swiss. Usually militia is a bunch of not very equipped or trained people who have more the role of maintaining order. For the swiss, Militia were people who trained from infancy and fought alongside their family and neighbors, the same as the most powerful armies in the world, such as the macedonians.

[KelGhu]

Good video! Two major events are missing:
1) Sack of Rome in 1527, when the Swiss guards escorted the Pope to safety, most of them sacrificed themselves to buy just enough time for the Pope to escape. Only the 40 or so escorting the Pope survived.
2) The 100 Swiss guards who made the last stand at the Bastille to protect Louie XVI.

[dr.harmacist]

When your military was so badass in the medieval era that no one wants to fight you till this day

[Meuduso]

I'm swiss and I have to thank you for this

[mrbean]

My grandfather is Swiss and I have Swiss citizenship. This just made me love my country so much more

[dams]

Swiss don't use the mountains to protect themselves. Their neighbours use their mountains to protect them from swiss.

[andraslibal]

They still have that mobility just try to go on a hike in the mountains with a Swiss, you'll see :)

[schallrd]

The Swiss really know how to defend themselves, make great watches and knives, run banks and make cheese.

[HistoryMarche]

Excellent and non-enough mentioned topic! Thumbs up!

[derAedil]

Swiss saying: "Karl der Kühne verlor bei Grandson das Gut, bei Murten den Mut und bei Nancy das Blut."
Translation: "Charles the bold lost at Grandson his goods, at Murten his boldness/courage and at Nancy his blood."

[gabrielk]

As a swiss person, this video made me feel so patriotic and proud like never before

[shooterxd]

When some peasant bois change the meta of Europe for hundreads of years...

[gideonstargazer]

Being of Swiss decent it fills me with pride to see this video.
I loved having Swiss Pikemen when I would play Medevil Total War 2.
Also I have seen the memorial for King Louis XVI Swiss Gaurd in Luzren. It was one of the most beautiful stone art works I have seen.
Thank you for sharing this and keep up the good work. 🇨🇭

[FeyTheBin]

The duke of Burgundy was turned into Swiss cheese.

[nanyafahkinbiznes]

They're military geniuses, they brought back the ancient military tactic of the greek Phalanx against cavalry which was too overrated in the medieval era

[sebastianw]

Swiss Pikemen + Polish Winged Hussars = immortal army

[into_the_nature_]

Geb Inf 17/4 A ⚔ 🇨🇭 ⚔
Good to remember our ancestors.
Thanks for the great video 👍

[thearchibaldtuttle]

So called "Gewalthaufen", the main force. They were very effective but the mentality of knights at that time helped them as well. Every knight wanted to prove himself on the battle field and earn merits and respect. Consequently the knights didn't really collaborated and coordinated their attacks, which helped the Swiss forces.

[teddyf]

Wir sind ein einzig Volk von Brüdern!
We swiched from the halberd to the Sig 550 but our courage stayed the same!
Thanks for filling my day with national pride. You sir earned a sub today!