The Battle of Näfels was fought on 9 April 1388 between the Swiss canton of Glarus, supported by its allies of the Old Swiss Confederation, and the Duchy of Austria ruled by the House of Habsburg. It was a decisive victory for Glarus and led to its independence from Habsburg rule.[2] The battle was the last of the Swiss-Austrian conflicts that stretched through most of the 14th century.
A few weeks after the Battle of Sempach on 9 July 1386, the Swiss Confederation captured the Habsburg village of Weesen on the Walensee.[1] The following year, Glarus rose up against the Habsburgs and destroyed Burg Windegg. Then, on 11 March 1387, the valley council declared itself free of Habsburg control.
In response, on the night of 21–22 February 1388, an Austrian army attacked Weesen and drove off the Swiss forces.[1] In the beginning of April, two Austrian armies marched out to cut off Glarus from the rest of the Confederation. The main army, with about 5,000 men, marched toward Näfels under the command of Count Donat von Toggenburg and Knight Peter von Thorberg. A second column, with about 1,500 men under the command of Count Hans von Werdenberg-Sargans, advanced through the Kerenzerberg Pass.[1]
Battle
Banner depicting Saint Fridolin, the patron saint of Glarus, which according to tradition was used in the Battle of Näfels
On 9 April 1388 the main Austrian army, under Toggenburg and Thorberg, attacked and captured the fortifications (letzi) around Näfels.[1] The garrison, comprising about 400 troops from Glarus and a few dozen troops from both Schwyz and Uri, held out for a short time, but was forced to withdraw into the hills.[1] As they retreated, the Austrian army spread out to plunder the villages and farms.[1] The Glarners then emerged from the snow and fog to take the Austrians by surprise as they were preoccupied with looting.[1][3]
Remains of the letzi of Näfels
Following a brief battle, the disorganized Austrians broke and fled toward Weesen, but the collapse of the bridge over the Maag or Weeser Linth dropped much of their army into the river where they drowned. Seeing the destruction of the main column, Werdenberg-Sargans' army retreated to the village of Beglingen (now in the municipality of Mollis).[1] The Swiss had 54 men killed, who were buried at the parish church of Mollis.[1] Habsburg losses are less well known, but are estimated to be between several hundred[1] and 1,700 killed.[3] On 29 November 1389, the Abbot Bilgeri had about 180 bodies moved from the battlefield and buried at Rüti Abbey in the choir of the present Rüti Reformed Church.[1]
Aftermath
In 1389, a seven-years' peace was signed at Vienna, leaving the Confederation in undisputed possession of all the territory it had acquired in the recent war. In the same year, the first Näfelser Fahrt, a pilgrimage to the site of the battle was held. This pilgrimage, which still occurs, happens on the first Thursday in April and is in memory of the battle. The pilgrimage played an important role in the creation of the unified canton of Glarus.[1]
^ abMcCracken, William (1901). The rise of the Swiss republic: a history. Geneva: Georg & Cie Libraires. p. 179. Retrieved 14 September 2009.
April 09, 2023
battle, näfels, fought, april, 1388, between, swiss, canton, glarus, supported, allies, swiss, confederation, duchy, austria, ruled, house, habsburg, decisive, victory, glarus, independence, from, habsburg, rule, battle, last, swiss, austrian, conflicts, that,. The Battle of Nafels was fought on 9 April 1388 between the Swiss canton of Glarus supported by its allies of the Old Swiss Confederation and the Duchy of Austria ruled by the House of Habsburg It was a decisive victory for Glarus and led to its independence from Habsburg rule 2 The battle was the last of the Swiss Austrian conflicts that stretched through most of the 14th century Battle of NafelsPart of the expansion of the Swiss ConfederationDepiction of the battle in the Luzerner Schilling 1513 Date9 April 1388LocationNafelsResultSwiss victoryBelligerents Old Swiss Confederacy Glarus Uri SchwyzDuchy of AustriaCommanders and leadersDonat von ToggenburgPeter von Thorberg de Strength 400 5 000Casualties and losses54 1 Several hundred 1 Contents 1 Background 2 Battle 3 Aftermath 4 See also 5 ReferencesBackground EditA few weeks after the Battle of Sempach on 9 July 1386 the Swiss Confederation captured the Habsburg village of Weesen on the Walensee 1 The following year Glarus rose up against the Habsburgs and destroyed Burg Windegg Then on 11 March 1387 the valley council declared itself free of Habsburg control In response on the night of 21 22 February 1388 an Austrian army attacked Weesen and drove off the Swiss forces 1 In the beginning of April two Austrian armies marched out to cut off Glarus from the rest of the Confederation The main army with about 5 000 men marched toward Nafels under the command of Count Donat von Toggenburg and Knight Peter von Thorberg A second column with about 1 500 men under the command of Count Hans von Werdenberg Sargans advanced through the Kerenzerberg Pass 1 Battle Edit Banner depicting Saint Fridolin the patron saint of Glarus which according to tradition was used in the Battle of Nafels On 9 April 1388 the main Austrian army under Toggenburg and Thorberg attacked and captured the fortifications letzi around Nafels 1 The garrison comprising about 400 troops from Glarus and a few dozen troops from both Schwyz and Uri held out for a short time but was forced to withdraw into the hills 1 As they retreated the Austrian army spread out to plunder the villages and farms 1 The Glarners then emerged from the snow and fog to take the Austrians by surprise as they were preoccupied with looting 1 3 Remains of the letzi of Nafels Following a brief battle the disorganized Austrians broke and fled toward Weesen but the collapse of the bridge over the Maag or Weeser Linth dropped much of their army into the river where they drowned Seeing the destruction of the main column Werdenberg Sargans army retreated to the village of Beglingen now in the municipality of Mollis 1 The Swiss had 54 men killed who were buried at the parish church of Mollis 1 Habsburg losses are less well known but are estimated to be between several hundred 1 and 1 700 killed 3 On 29 November 1389 the Abbot Bilgeri had about 180 bodies moved from the battlefield and buried at Ruti Abbey in the choir of the present Ruti Reformed Church 1 Aftermath EditIn 1389 a seven years peace was signed at Vienna leaving the Confederation in undisputed possession of all the territory it had acquired in the recent war In the same year the first Nafelser Fahrt a pilgrimage to the site of the battle was held This pilgrimage which still occurs happens on the first Thursday in April and is in memory of the battle The pilgrimage played an important role in the creation of the unified canton of Glarus 1 See also EditBattles of the Old Swiss ConfederacyReferences Edit a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Ernst Tremp Battle of Nafels in German French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland Stefan Jaggi Sempach War in German French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland a b McCracken William 1901 The rise of the Swiss republic a history Geneva Georg amp Cie Libraires p 179 Retrieved 14 September 2009 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Battle of Nafels amp oldid 1148922881, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
