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{{Short description|Part of the expansion of the Swiss Confederation (1388)}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2014}}
{{For|the battle during Suvorov's Swiss campaign|Battle of Glarus (1799)}}
{{Infobox military conflict
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Battle of Näfels
| conflict = Battle of Näfels
| image = Picswiss GL-15-07.jpg
| image = Diebold Schilling Chronik Folio 18r 45.tif
| image_size = 300px
| image_size = 280px
| caption = A commemorative plaque at the Battle of Näfels memorial near Näfels
| caption = Depiction of the battle in the ''[[Luzerner Schilling]]'' (1513)
| partof = the [[Growth of the Old Swiss Confederacy|expansion of the Swiss Confederation]]
| partof = the [[Growth of the Old Swiss Confederacy|expansion of the Swiss Confederation]]
| date = 9 April 1388
| date = 9 April 1388
| place = [[Näfels]]
| place = [[Näfels]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|47|06|N|9|04|E|type:event_region:CH-GL|display=inline,title}}
| result = Decisive Swiss victory
| result = Swiss victory
|
| combatant1 = {{flag|Old Swiss Confederacy}}
| combatant1 = {{flagicon image|Ch-1422a.png}} [[Old Swiss Confederacy]]
* {{flag|Glarus}}
* [[File:Fridolins-Banner.jpg|15px]] [[Canton of Glarus]]
* {{flag|Uri}}
* [[File:Flag of Canton of Uri.svg|15px]] [[Canton of Uri]]
* [[File:Blutfahne.svg|15px]] [[Canton of Schwyz]]
* {{flagicon image|Blutfahne.svg}} [[Canton of Schwyz|Schwyz]]
| combatant2 = [[Image:Coat of arms of the archduchy of Austria.svg|15px]] [[Archduchy of Austria]]
| combatant2 = [[Image:Flag of Austria (1-1).svg|15px]] [[Duchy of Austria]]
⚫
| commander1 =
|
| commander2 = [[File:Wappen Toggenburger2.svg|15px]] Donat von Toggenburg<br>{{ill|Peter von Thorberg|de|Peter von Thorberg}}
⚫
| commander1 =
⚫
| strength1 = ~400
| commander2 = [[Image:Coat of arms of the archduchy of Austria.svg|15px]] [[Counts of Toggenburg|Donat von Toggenburg]]<br>
⚫
| strength2 = ~5,000
[[Image:Coat of arms of the archduchy of Austria.svg|15px]] [[County of Sargans|Hans von Werdenberg-Sargans]]
⚫
|casualties1 = 54<ref name=HDS/>
|
|casualties2 = Several hundred<ref name=HDS/>
⚫
| strength1 = 400+ men
⚫
| strength2 = 6,500 men
⚫
|casualties1= 54 dead
|casualties2=ca. 1,700 dead
}}
}}


The '''Battle of Näfels''' was fought on 9 April 1388 between [[Canton of Glarus|Glarus]] with its allies the [[Old Swiss Confederation]], and the [[Habsburg]]s. It was a decisive Glarner victory despite being outnumbered sixteen to one.
The '''Battle of Näfels''' was fought on 9 April 1388 between the [[Swiss canton]] of [[Canton of Glarus|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.<ref>{{HDS|8871|Sempach War|author=Stefan Jäggi}}</ref> The battle was the last of the Swiss-Austrian conflicts that stretched through most of the 14th century.


==History==
==Background==
The Battle of Näfels was the last battle 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 [[Old Swiss Confederation]] attacked and besieged the Habsburg village of [[Weesen]] on the [[Walensee]].<ref name=HDS/> The following year, [[Canton of Glarus|Glarus]] rose up against the Habsburgs and destroyed Burg Windegg. Then, on 11 March 1387, the valley council declared itself free of Habsburg control.
A few weeks after the [[Battle of Sempach]] on 9 July 1386, the Swiss Confederation captured the Habsburg village of [[Weesen, Switzerland|Weesen]] on the [[Walensee]].<ref name=HDS>{{HDS|8873|author=Ernst Tremp}}</ref> 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 the village of Weesen and drove off the Swiss forces.<ref name=HDS/> 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 the [[Graf]] [[Counts of Toggenburg|Donat von Toggenburg]] and the Knight [[Schloss Thorberg|Peter von Thorberg]]. A second column, with about 1,500 men under the command of Graf [[County of Sargans|Hans von Werdenberg-Sargans]], marched over the [[Kerenzerberg Pass]].<ref name=HDS/>
In response, on the night of 21–22 February 1388, an Austrian army attacked Weesen and drove off the Swiss forces.<ref name=HDS/> At the start of April, two Austrian armies set out to isolate 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 [[Counts of Toggenburg|Toggenburg]] and Knight Peter von [[Thorberg Castle|Thorberg]]. A second column, with about 1,500 men under the command of Count Hans von Werdenberg-[[County of Sargans|Sargans]], advanced through the [[Kerenzerberg Pass]].<ref name=HDS/>


==Battle of Näfels==
==Battle==
[[File:Picswiss GL-15-05.jpg|thumb|left|Monument to the Battle of Näfels]]
[[File:Fridolins-Banner.jpg|thumb|left|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 army, under Toggenburg and Thorberg, attacked and captured the fortifications around Näfels. The garrison, comprising about 400 Glarner troops and a few dozen troops from both [[Canton of Schwyz|Schwyz]] and [[Canton of Uri|Uri]], held out for a short time, but was forced to withdraw into the hills. As they retired, the Austrian army spread out to plunder the villages and farms. The Glarners now emerged from the snow and fog to take the Austrians by surprise as they were preoccupied with looting.<ref name=HDS>{{HDS|8873|Battle of Näfels}}</ref><ref name=McCracken>{{cite book |title= The rise of the Swiss republic: a history |last= McCracken |first= William |year= 1901 |publisher= Georg & Cie Libraires |location= Geneva |page= 179 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ah8bAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA179&dq=battle+of+N%C3%A4fels#v=onepage&q=&f=false |accessdate= 14 September 2009}}</ref>


⚫
On 9 April 1388 the main Austrian army, under Toggenburg and Thorberg, attacked and captured the fortifications (''[[letzi]]'') around Näfels.<ref name=HDS/> The garrison, comprising about 400 troops from Glarus and a few dozen troops from both [[Canton of Schwyz|Schwyz]] and [[Canton of Uri|Uri]], held out for a short time, but was forced to withdraw into the hills.<ref name=HDS/> As they retreated, the Austrian army spread out to plunder the villages and farms.<ref name=HDS/> The Glarners then emerged from the snow and fog to take the Austrians by surprise as they were preoccupied with looting.<ref name=HDS/><ref name=McCracken>{{cite book |title= The rise of the Swiss republic: a history |last= McCracken |first= William |year= 1901 |publisher= Georg & Cie Libraires |location= Geneva |page= 179 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ah8bAAAAYAAJ&q=battle+of+N%C3%A4fels&pg=PA179 |accessdate= 14 September 2009}}</ref>
⚫
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]]). The Glarner and Confederation army had about 54 men killed, who were buried at the [[parish church]] of Mollis. Habsburg losses are less well known, though are estimated to be between several hundred killed<ref name=HDS/> and 1,700.<ref name=McCracken/> On 29 November 1389, the Abbot Bilgeri had about 180 bodies moved from the battle field and reburied at [[Rüti Abbey]] in the choir of the present [[Rüti Reformed Church]].

[[File:Näfels Letzimauer.JPG|thumb|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]]).<ref name=HDS/> The Swiss had 54 men killed, who were buried at the [[parish church]] of Mollis.<ref name=HDS/> Habsburg losses are less well known, but are estimated to be between several hundred<ref name=HDS/> and 1,700 killed.<ref name=McCracken/> 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]].<ref name=HDS/>


==Aftermath==
==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.<ref name=HDS/>
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.<ref name=HDS/>


==See also==
==See also==
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{coord missing|Switzerland}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Nafels, Battle of}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nafels, Battle of}}
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[[Category:14th century in the Old Swiss Confederacy]]
[[Category:14th century in the Old Swiss Confederacy]]
[[Category:1380s in the Holy Roman Empire]]
[[Category:1380s in the Holy Roman Empire]]
[[Category:Canton of Glarus]]

Latest revision as of 22:46, 4 September 2024

For the battle during Suvorov's Swiss campaign, see Battle of Glarus (1799).
Battle of Näfels
Part of the expansion of the Swiss Confederation

Depiction of the battle in the Luzerner Schilling (1513)
Date9 April 1388
Location
Näfels
47°06′N 9°04′E / 47.100°N 9.067°E / 47.100; 9.067
Result Swiss victory
Belligerents

Old Swiss Confederacy

Duchy of Austria
Commanders and leaders
Donat von Toggenburg
Peter von Thorberg [de]
Strength
~400 ~5,000
Casualties and losses
54[1] Several hundred[1]

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.

Background

[edit]

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] At the start of April, two Austrian armies set out to isolate 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

[edit]
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

[edit]

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]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Ernst Tremp: Battle of Näfels in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
  2. ^ Stefan Jäggi: Sempach War in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
  3. ^ a b McCracken, William (1901). The rise of the Swiss republic: a history. Geneva: Georg & Cie Libraires. p. 179. Retrieved 14 September 2009.
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