The mayor of Zurich, Rudolf Stüssi, defends the bridge of St. Jakob, near Zurich, against the forces of the Old Swiss Confederacy during the Battle of St. Jakob an der Sihl. Depicted are the Rennweg gate in the background and the St. Jakob chapel in the fore. (Werner Schodoler, 1515)
The battle took place outside the gates of Zürich, beyond the Sihl (today's Aussersihl district). The troops of Zürich, with Habsburg reinforcements, met the attacking confederates on the Sihlfeld north of St. Jakob on July 21. The confederation army, which numbered about 6,000 men, was met by Zürich's disorganized troops and about 500 Austrian knights. The following morning the confederation army attacked the front and then the left flank of the army. Zürich's forces were pushed back and had to escape across the Sihl into the city. The confederates did not have the means to lay siege to the city and withdrew. The defeat of Zürich was thus not decisive,[1] and the war continued until 1446.
The commander of the Habsburg forces, Albrecht Freiherr von Bussnang, was killed behind the altar of the St. Jakob chapel. According to Zürich chroniclers, Zürich's burgomasterRudolf Stüssi fell at this battle amongst the defenders of the bridge across the Sihl. Stüssi was covering his troops' retreat when he was killed by a confederate hiding below the bridge.[citation needed]
This account, which emphasizes the burgomaster's bravery, is considered Zürich propaganda by historians.
Another version of the story has Stüssi stopping in the middle of the bridge, brandishing his broad battle-axe and shouting, "Halt, citizens, halt!" To this a man of Zurich cried, "May God's lightning blast thee! All this evil comes from thee alone," and ran him through with his lance.[2]
Additional accounts from Zürich chronicles state that the city was saved by the gatekeeper's wife, one Anna Ziegler, who managed to lower the portcullis of the Rennweg gate just as the pursuing confederates were about to enter the city.
^Zschokke, Heinrich; Emil Zschokke (1855). The history of Switzerland, for the Swiss people. C. S. Francis & co. p. 405. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
May 05, 2023
battle, jakob, sihl, battle, zürich, that, occurred, july, 1443, resulting, defeat, zürich, part, zürich, warthe, mayor, zurich, rudolf, stüssi, defends, bridge, jakob, near, zurich, against, forces, swiss, confederacy, during, depicted, rennweg, gate, backgro. The Battle of St Jakob an der Sihl was a battle of the Old Zurich War that occurred on July 22 1443 resulting in a defeat for Zurich Battle of St Jakob an der SihlPart of Old Zurich WarThe mayor of Zurich Rudolf Stussi defends the bridge of St Jakob near Zurich against the forces of the Old Swiss Confederacy during the Battle of St Jakob an der Sihl Depicted are the Rennweg gate in the background and the St Jakob chapel in the fore Werner Schodoler 1515 DateJuly 22 1443LocationZurich47 22 25 N 8 31 51 E 47 37361 N 8 53083 E 47 37361 8 53083 Coordinates 47 22 25 N 8 31 51 E 47 37361 N 8 53083 E 47 37361 8 53083ResultVictory for the Old Swiss ConfederacyBelligerentsZurich Holy Roman Empire Old Swiss ConfederacyCommanders and leadersRudolf StussiAlbrecht Freiherr von BussnangunknownStrengthunknown Zurich 500 HRE knights 1 6 000Casualties and losses300unknown18th century etching of the battle s situation The battle took place outside the gates of Zurich beyond the Sihl today s Aussersihl district The troops of Zurich with Habsburg reinforcements met the attacking confederates on the Sihlfeld north of St Jakob on July 21 The confederation army which numbered about 6 000 men was met by Zurich s disorganized troops and about 500 Austrian knights The following morning the confederation army attacked the front and then the left flank of the army Zurich s forces were pushed back and had to escape across the Sihl into the city The confederates did not have the means to lay siege to the city and withdrew The defeat of Zurich was thus not decisive 1 and the war continued until 1446 The commander of the Habsburg forces Albrecht Freiherr von Bussnang was killed behind the altar of the St Jakob chapel According to Zurich chroniclers Zurich s burgomaster Rudolf Stussi fell at this battle amongst the defenders of the bridge across the Sihl Stussi was covering his troops retreat when he was killed by a confederate hiding below the bridge citation needed This account which emphasizes the burgomaster s bravery is considered Zurich propaganda by historians Another version of the story has Stussi stopping in the middle of the bridge brandishing his broad battle axe and shouting Halt citizens halt To this a man of Zurich cried May God s lightning blast thee All this evil comes from thee alone and ran him through with his lance 2 Additional accounts from Zurich chronicles state that the city was saved by the gatekeeper s wife one Anna Ziegler who managed to lower the portcullis of the Rennweg gate just as the pursuing confederates were about to enter the city See also EditBattles of the Old Swiss ConfederacyReferences Edit a b Battle of St Jakob an der Sihl in German French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland Zschokke Heinrich Emil Zschokke 1855 The history of Switzerland for the Swiss people C S Francis amp co p 405 Retrieved 8 January 2012 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Battle of St Jakob an der Sihl amp oldid 1152294346, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
