Old Swiss Confederacy

Old Swiss Confederacy was a state in Central Europe (Europe) that lasted from 1291 to 1798 CE, about 507 years. Its people spoke Germanic languages (Gothic, Frankish, English, German, Dutch, Norse).

Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden swore an alliance in 1291 and beat Habsburg armies at Morgarten and Sempach. Swiss pikemen became the most sought-after mercenaries in Europe.

See Old Swiss Confederacy on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

1291 to 1798 CE

Duration

507 years

Type

State

Region

Central Europe, Europe

Language family

Germanic

Became

• Switzerland 1803 CE to the present

Events in Europe during its time

• 1347 Black Death reaches Europe
• 1450 Gutenberg's printing press
• 1453 Fall of Constantinople
• 1492 Fall of Granada and Columbus's voyage
• 1517 Luther's Ninety-five Theses
• 1648 Peace of Westphalia
• 1683 Siege of Vienna
• 1769 Watt's steam engine

Neighbours in Europe

• Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE
• Holy Roman Empire 962 to 1806 CE
• Ottoman Empire 1299 to 1922 CE
• Portuguese Empire 1415 to 1999 CE
• Habsburg Monarchy 1526 to 1804 CE
• Dutch Republic 1581 to 1795 CE
• Kingdom of France (Bourbon) 1589 to 1792 CE
• Russian Empire 1721 to 1917 CE
• Spanish Empire (Habsburg Spain) 1516 to 1700 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
• Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
• Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
• Ethiopian Empire (Solomonic dynasty) 1270 to 1974 CE, North and West Africa
• Khmer Empire 802 to 1431 CE, Southeast Asia
• Ottoman Empire 1299 to 1922 CE, Middle East
• Kingdom of Kongo c. 1390 to 1914 CE, Central and Southern Africa
• Mali Empire c. 1235 to 1670 CE, North and West Africa
• Ayutthaya Kingdom 1351 to 1767 CE, Southeast Asia
• Mughal Empire 1526 to 1857 CE, South Asia

Questions