Everything about Swiss Guard totally explained
Swiss Guards is the name that has been given to
Swiss mercenary soldiers who have served as
bodyguards, ceremonial guards, and palace guards at foreign
European courts from the late
15th century until the present day. They are now represented in some sense by the Papal Swiss Guard. They have generally had a high reputation for discipline and loyalty to their employers. Apart from household and guard units, some formations have also served as fighting troops in the field. There were, for example, regular Swiss mercenary regiments serving as line troops in various armies, notably those of France, Spain and Naples until the
19th century.
Various units of "Swiss Guards" have existed for hundreds of years. The earliest such detachment was the
Swiss "Hundred Guard" (
Cent-Garde) at the French court (1497 – 1830). This small force was complemented in
1567 by a Swiss Guard regiment. The
Papal Swiss Guard in the
Vatican was founded in
1506 and is the only Swiss Guard that still exists. In the
18th century several other Swiss Guards existed for periods in various European courts.
Swiss Guards in France
There were two different corps of Swiss mercenaries performing guard duties for the Kings of France: the
Hundred Swiss (
Cent Suisses), serving within the Palace as essentially bodyguards and ceremonial troops, and the
Swiss Guards (
Gardes Suisses), guarding the entrances and outer perimeter. In addition the Gardes suisses served in the field as a fighting regiment in times of war.
The Hundred Swiss were created in
1496 by King
Charles VIII. Their main role was the protection of the King indoors, what was called the
garde du dedans du Louvre (the Louvre indoor guard), but in the earlier part of their history they accompanied the King on a war. In the
Battle of Pavia (
1525) the Hundred Swiss of King
Francis I were slain before Francis was captured by the
Spanish. They shared the indoor guard with the King's Bodyguards (
Gardes du Corps), which were Frenchmen.
As a result of the Everlasting Peace between
Switzerland and
France declared in
1516, Swiss mercenaries played their most important roles in the military history of France.
Francis I of France used some 120,000 Swiss mercenaries in his wars. In
1616 King
Louis XIII gave a regiment of Swiss infantry the name of Gardes suisse (Swiss Guards). The new regiment had the primary role of protecting the doors, gates and outer perimeters of the various royal palaces. This unit was officially a regiment of the line, but it was generally regarded as part of the
King's Military Household.
During the
17th and
18th centuries the Swiss Guards maintained a reputation for discipline and steadiness in both peacetime service and foreign campaigning. Their officers were all Swiss and their rate of pay substantially higher than that of the regular French soldiers. Internal discipline was maintained according to Swiss codes which were significantly harsher than those of the regular French Army.
By the 18th century the Swiss Guards were brigaded with the Regiment of French Guards (
Gardes françaises), with whom they shared the outer guard, and were in peace-time stationed in barracks on the outskirts of
Paris. Like the eleven Swiss regiments of line infantry in French service, the Gardes suisses wore red coats. The line regiments had black, yellow or light blue facings but the Swiss Guards were distinguished by dark blue lapels and cuffs edged in white embroidery. Only the grenadier company wore bearskins while the other companies wore the standard tricorn headdress of the French infantry. The Guards were recruited from all the Swiss cantons. The nominal establishment was 1,600 men though actual numbers normally seem to have been below this.
The most famous episode in the history of the Swiss Guards was their defense of the
Tuileries Palace in central Paris during the
French Revolution. Of the nine hundred Swiss Guards defending the Palace on
August 10, 1792 more than six hundred were killed during the fighting or massacred after surrender. An estimated two hundred more died in prison of their wounds or were killed during the
September Massacres that followed. Apart from about a hundred Swiss who escaped from the Tuileries, some hidden by sympathetic Parisians, the only survivors of the regiment were a 300 strong detachment which had been sent to Normandy to escort grain convoys a few days before
August 10. The Swiss officers were mostly amongst those massacred, although Major Bachmann in command at the Tuileries was formally tried and guillotined in September, still wearing his red uniform coat. Two Swiss officers did however survive and went on to reach senior rank under Napoleon.
There appears to be no truth in the charge that
Louis XVI caused the defeat and destruction of the Guards by ordering them to lay down their arms when they could still have held the Tuileries. Rather, the Swiss ran low on ammunition and were overwhelmed by superior numbers when fighting broke out spontaneously after the Royal Family had been escorted from the Palace to take refuge with the
National Assembly. A note has survived written by the King ordering the Swiss to retire from the Palace and return to their barracks but this was only acted on after their position had become untenable. The regimental standards had been secretly buried by the adjutant shortly before the regiment was summoned to the Tuileries on the night of August 9th, indicating that the likely end was foreseen. They were discovered by a gardener and ceremonially burned by the new Republican authorities.
The heroic but futile stand of the Swiss is commemorated by
Bertel Thorvaldsen's monument in
Lucerne dedicated in
1821 and showing a dying lion collapsed across broken symbols of the French monarchy.
The French Revolution abolished mercenary troops in its citizen army, but
Napoleon I and the
Restoration Monarchy both made use of Swiss troops. Four Swiss infantry regiments were employed by Napoleon, serving in both Spain and Russia. Two of the eight infantry regiments included in the Garde Royale from 1815 to 1830 were Swiss and can be regarded as successors of the old Gardes suisses. When the Tuileries were stormed again, in the
July Revolution (
July 29,
1830), the Swiss regiments, fearful of another massacre, were withdrawn or melted into the crowd. They were not used again. In 1832 disbanded veterans of the Swiss regiments and another foreign unit, the Legion de Hohenlohe, were recruited into the newly raised
French Foreign Legion for service in Algeria.
The
Swiss constitution, as amended in
1874, forbade all military capitulations and recruitment of Swiss by foreign powers, although volunteering in foreign armies continued until prohibited outright, in
1927.
Swiss Guards in other European States
Swiss Guard units similar to the French ones existed at several other courts in the 18
th century as well.
Pontifical Swiss Guard
The
Corps of the Pontifical Swiss Guard or
Swiss Guard (Ger:
Schweizergarde, Ital.
Guardia Svizzera Pontificia, Lat.
Pontificia Cohors Helvetica, or
Cohors Pedestris Helvetiorum a Sacra Custodia Pontificis) is something of an exception to the Swiss rulings of 1874 and 1927. It is a small
force responsible for the safety of the
Pope, including the security of the
Apostolic Palace and access to the entrances to the
Vatican City. Its official language is Swiss
German. While the error is understandable, it's wrongly said to be part of the
Military of the Vatican City, since an
army of the
sovereign state of the
Vatican no longer exists.
The history of the Swiss Guards has its origins in the 15th century.
Pope Sixtus IV (1471-1484) already made a previous alliance with the Swiss Confederation and built barracks in Via Pellegrino after foreseeing the possibility of recruiting Swiss mercenaries. The pact was renewed by
Innocent VIII (1484-1492) in order to use them against the Duke of Milan.
Alexander VI (1492-1503) later actually used the Swiss mercenaries during their alliance with the King of France. During the time of the
Borgias, however, the
Italian Wars began in which the Swiss mercenaries were a fixture in the front lines among the warring factions, sometimes for France and sometimes for the Holy See or the
Holy Roman Empire. The mercenaries enlisted when they heard King
Charles VIII of France was going to raise a war against Naples. Among the participants in the war against Naples was Cardinal
Giuliano della Rovere, the future
Pope Julius II (1503-1513), who was well acquainted with the Swiss having been
Bishop of Lausanne years earlier. The expedition failed in part thanks to new alliances made by Alexander VI against the French. When Cardinal della Rovere became pope
Julius II in
1505, he asked the
Swiss Diet to provide him with a constant corps of 200 Swiss mercenaries. In
September 1505, the first contingent of 150 soldiers started their march towards Rome, under the command of
Kaspar von Silenen, and entered the city on
January 22,
1506, today given as the official date of the Guard's foundation. "The Swiss see the sad situation of the Church of God, Mother of Christianity, and realize how grave and dangerous it's that any tyrant, avid for wealth, can assault with impunity, the common Mother of Christianity," declared
Huldrych Zwingli, a Swiss Catholic who later became a
Protestant reformer. Pope Julius II later granted them the title "Defenders of the Church's freedom".
The force has varied greatly in size over the years and has even been disbanded. Its first, and most significant, hostile engagement was on
May 6,
1527 when 147 of the 189 Guards, including their commander, died fighting the unruly troops of
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V during the
Sack of Rome in order to allow
Clement VII to escape through the
Passetto di Borgo, escorted by the other 40 guards. The last stand battlefield is located on the left side of
St Peter's Basilica, close to the
Campo Santo Teutonico (German Graveyard).
The Swiss Guard has served the popes since the
1500s. Ceremonially, they shared duties in the Papal household with the
Palatine Guard and
Noble Guard, both of which were disbanded in
1970 under
Paul VI. Today the Papal Swiss Guard have taken over the ceremonial roles of the former units. At the end of
2005, there were 134 members of the Swiss Guard. This number consisted of a Commandant (bearing the rank of "
oberst" or
Colonel), a
chaplain, three officers, one
sergeant major ("feldweibel"), 30
NCOs, and 99 "halberdiers", the rank equivalent to private (so called because of their traditional
Halberd).
Building on their training in their traditional service in the Swiss military, members wear a long sword (officers a rapier or straight sabre) and receive instruction in the ceremonial use of their halberd on a four-sided pole which is held on their right during marches, drill, and regular formations in their official duties around the Vatican. The halberd includes a loose metal ring just below the halberd blade which adds a loud
clink when an individual or formation comes to attention. Other weapons and regalia carried by higher ranking non-halberdiers include: a command baton, a
partisan, a
flamberge (a wavy two-handed sword), and breastplate with shoulder guards. Headwear is typically a black beret for daily duties, while a black or silver morion helmet with red, white, yellow and black, and purple ostrich feather is worn for ceremonial duties, the former for guard duty or drill; the latter for high ceremonial occasions such as the annual swearing in ceremony or reception of foreign heads of state. The Guard also engages in yearly rifle competition and receives self-defense instruction, as well as basic instruction on defensive bodyguard tactics not dissimilar to those used in the protection of many heads of state.
Recruits to the guards must be
Catholic, single males with
Swiss citizenship who have completed basic training with the
Swiss military and can obtain certificates of good conduct. New recruits must have a professional diploma or high school degree and must be between 19 and 30 years of age and at least 174 cm (5'9") tall.
Qualified candidates must apply to serve. If accepted, new guards are sworn in every
May 6 in the San Damaso Courtyard (
Italian:
Cortile di San Damaso) in the Vatican. (May 6 is the anniversary of the
Sack of Rome.) In 2008 the ceremony took place in the presence of the head of the Swiss army. The
chaplain of the guard reads aloud the
oath in the language of the guard (mostly
German, some
French, a little
Italian):
» (German version)
"Ich schwöre, treu, redlich und ehrenhaft zu dienen dem regierenden Papst [name] und seinen rechtmäßigen Nachfolgern, und mich mit ganzer Kraft für sie einzusetzen, bereit, wenn es erheischt sein sollte, selbst mein Leben für sie hinzugeben. Ich übernehme dieselbe Verpflichtung gegenüber dem Heiligen Kollegium der Kardinäle während der Sedisvakanz des Apostolischen Stuhls. Ich verspreche überdies dem Herrn Kommandanten und meinen übrigen Vorgesetzten Achtung, Treue und Gehorsam. Ich schwöre, alles das zu beobachten, was die Ehre meines Standes von mir verlangt."
» (English translation)
"I swear to faithfully, honestly and honorably serve the reigning Pope [nameof Pope] and his legitimate successors, and to dedicate myself to them with all my strength, ready to sacrifice, should it become necessary, even my own life for them. I likewise assume this promise toward the members of the Sacred College of Cardinals during the period of the Sede Vacante of the Apostolic See. Furthermore, I pledge to the Commandant and to my other superiors respect, fidelity, and obedience. I swear to abide by all the requirements attendant to the dignity of my rank."
When his name is called, each new guard approaches the Swiss Guard's
flag, grasping the banner in his left hand. He raises his right hand with his
thumb,
index, and
middle finger extended along three axes, a
gesture that symbolizes the
Holy Trinity, and speaks:
» "Ich, [Namedes Rekruten], schwöre, alles das, was mir soeben vorgelesen wurde, gewissenhaft und treu zu halten, so wahr mir Gott und seine Heiligen helfen."
» "I, [nameof the new guard], swear diligently and faithfully to abide by all that has just been read out to me, so grant me God and so help me his Saints."
The term of service is between two and 25 years. The official dress uniform is of
blue,
red,
orange and
yellow with a distinctly
Renaissance appearance. A repeated historical misconception is that the contemporary dress uniform was designed by
Michelangelo. In fact, Commandant Jules Repond (1910-1921) created the current uniforms in
1914. While the uniforms of the Swiss Guard bearing
Pope Julius II on a
litter (painted by
Raphael) is often cited as inspiration for the Swiss Guard uniform, the actual uniforms worn by those soldiers are of the style which appears by today's standards as a large skirt, a common style in uniforms during the
Renaissance. A very clear expression of the modern Swiss Guard uniform can be seen in a 1577 fresco by Jacob Coppi of the Empress Eudoxia conversing with
Pope Sixtus III. It is clearly the precursor of today's recognizable three-colored uniform with boot covers, white gloves, a high or ruff collar, and either a black beret or a black morion (silver for high occasions). Sergeants wear a black top with crimson leggings, while other officers wear an all-crimson uniform. The regular duty uniform is more functional, consisting of a simpler solid blue version of the more colorful tri-color grand gala uniform, worn with a simple brown belt, a flat white collar and a
black beret. For new recruits and rifle practice, a simple light blue
overall with a brown belt may be worn. During cold or inclement weather, a dark blue cape is worn over the regular uniform. The original colors (blue and yellow) were issued by
Pope Julius II taking his family (Della Rovere) colors,
Pope Leo X added the red to reflect his family's
Medici colors.
After the
May 13,
1981 assassination attempt on
Pope John Paul II by
Mehmet Ali Ağca, a much stronger emphasis has been made on the Swiss Guards' functional, non-ceremonial roles. This has included enhanced training in unarmed combat and small arms. The small arms are the same as those used in the Swiss army.
On 4 May 1998, the Swiss Guard experienced one of its greatest scandals for over 100-years when the commander of the Guard,
Alois Estermann was murdered in unclear circumstances in the Vatican City. According to the official Vatican version, Estermann and his wife, Gladys Meza Romero, were killed by the young Swiss Guard Cédric Tornay, who later committed suicide. Estermann had been named commander of the Swiss Guard the same day.
Ranks of the Pontifical Swiss Guard
Commissioned officers
Oberst (Colonel -- the commandant of the Guard)
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel -- the vice-commandant)
Kaplan (Chaplain, considered the same rank as a lieutenant colonel)
Major
Hauptmann (Captain)
Non-commissioned officers
Feldweibel (Sergeant-major)
Wachtmeister (Sergeant)
Korporal (Corporal)
Vizekorporal (Vice-corporal; closest British equivalent would be lance corporal)
Enlisted
Hellebardier/Gardist (Halbardier/Guardsman)
Insignia
Insignia of Rank (officers and other ranks) Pontifical Swiss Guard
at uniforminsignia.com
2006 Anniversary - 500 years in service
In April-May 2006, to celebrate 500 years in the line of duty a group of veteran guards marched from Switzerland to Rome, a month long journey through Italy. In a public ceremony on May 6 the 33 new guards were sworn in on the steps of St. Peter's Basilica instead of the traditional venue in the San Damaso Courtyard.
Also on parade at this event were the Company of Pikeman and Musketeers of the Honourable Artillery Company of London. The Band and Corps of Drums of the HAC also provided musical support, and HAC members attended as guests.
The banner
The Pontifical Swiss Guard banner is divided by a white cross into quarters. In the right lower corner is displayed Pope Julius II's coat-of-arms, in the middle is displayed the commander's own coat-of-arms. The ruling Pope's coat-of-arms is in the left upper quarter: the other quarters display the Swiss Guard colors.
Commanders of the Pontifical Swiss Guard
Kaspar von Silenen, Uri (1506-1517)
Markus Röist, Zürich (1518-1524)
Kaspar Röist, Zürich (1524-1527)
Jost von Meggen, Luzern (1548-1559)
Kaspar Leo von Silenen, Luzern (1559-1564)
Jost Segesser von Brunegg, Luzern (1566-1592)
Stephan Alexander Segesser von Brunegg, Luzern (1592-1629)
Nikolaus Fleckenstein, Luzern (1629-1640)
Jost Fleckenstein, Luzern (1640-1652)
Johann Rudolf Pfyffer von Altishofen, Luzern (1652-1657)
Ludwig Pfyffer von Altishofen, Luzern (1658-1686)
Franz Pfyffer von Altishofen, Luzern (1686-1696)
Johann Kaspar Mayr von Baldegg, Luzern (1696-1704)
Johann Konrad Pfyffer von Altishofen, Luzern (1712-1727)
Franz Ludwig Pfyffer von Altishofen, Luzern (1727-1754)
Jost Ignaz Pfyffer von Altishofen, Luzern (1754-1782)
Franz Alois Pfyffer von Altishofen, Luzern (1783-1798)
Karl Leodegar Pfyffer von Altishofen, Luzern (1800-1834)
Martin Pfyffer von Altishofen, Luzern (1835-1847)
Franz Xaver Leopold Meyer von Schauensee, Luzern (1847-1860)
Alfred von Sonnenberg, Luzern (1860-1878)
Louis-Martin de Courten, Wallis (1878-1901)
Leopold Meyer von Schauensee, Luzern (1901-1910)
Jules Repond, Freiburg (1910-1921)
Alois Hirschbühl, Graubünden (1921-1935)
Georg von Sury d'Aspremont, Solothurn (1935-1942)
Heinrich Pfyffer von Altishofen, Luzern (1942-1957)
Robert Nünlis, Luzern (1957-1972)
Franz Pfyffer von Altishofen, Luzern (1972-1982)
Roland Buchs, Freiburg (1982-1997, 1998)
Alois Estermann, Luzern (1998)
Pius Segmüller, St. Gallen (1998-2002)
Elmar Theodor Mäder, St. Gallen (2002-2008)
Former Pontifical Guard Corps
Noble Guard
Palatine Guard
Papal Zouaves
Further Information
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