The Stand of the Swiss Guard

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

The year is the Year of Our Lord 1527. In the escalating conflict between the French king, Francis I of the House of Valois and the German-Spanish Emperor, Charles V of the House of Hapsburg, almost the whole of Italy is at stake. By the choice of Pope Clement VII, the Holy See appealed to the French for aid to stop the Hapsburg dynasty controlling the Vatican, forming the League of Cognac, joining forces with the Kingdom of France, the Republic of Venice, the Duchy of Milan, the Republic of Florence and the Kingdom of England.

Commanding the army of the Hapsburgs was the disgraced Constable of France, Charles de Bourbon, who led a combined force of German landsknechts and Spanish forces in to Italy. After a few initial victories against the forces of the League, the realities of Renaissance warfare came to the fore: the men under Imperial command were not being paid soon enough, and the focus of Charles V was focused on other matters of state to see them paid. Which made for some very angry men. Men with pikes, halberds, swords, bows and arquebuses. A VERY volatile mix.

The common mercenary solider would not have been the most educated man in Europe at the time, but one thing was known to them: in the heart of Italy stood the single richest city in all of Christendom; the Vatican. Gold aplenty collected from the tithes for the Catholic church, the seat of the Papacy and all of it's cardinals, and it was virtually defenceless. The perfect target for plunder. With no intention to follow the orders of a man who had not seen them paid for several months, the commanders of the troops forced de Bourbon to take them to Rome and the Vatican.

On the 5th of May, 1527, the Imperial forces, comprised of German landsknechts, Spanish soldiers and swelled by a number of Italian forces, Lutheran followers who saw the defenceless Vatican as the perfect target for the newly born Protestant religion and a number of your run of the mill bandits, nearly 20,000 men in total arrived at the city. Opposing them was 5,000 condottieri mercenaries backed by 500 Vatican militia, and 189 of the Swiss Guards of the Holy See.

While the walls of the Vatican were tall and thick and topped with a large number of artillery, these did little to stem the tide of the attacking Imperial forces. During the initial attack on the wall, Charles de Bourbon was slain, his customary white cloak leaving him as an easy target to spot, and legend has it that he was brought low by the Florentine goldsmith, sculptor and artist, Benvenuto Cellini. With their leader slain and command taken by a very unpopular and ineffectual commander, Philibert of Chalon, the attackers rage was finally and fully let off it's leash. The walls of the city were taken and the attackers, as was almost customary for the time, turned the attention to the defenceless city and the loot that lay within.

In a scene that would have easily resembled a scene from Dante Alighieri's Inferno, the captain of the Swiss Guard, Kaspar Roist, made his decision. He and his fellow Swiss had sworn an oath, an oath to defend the Pope, to defend the cardinals and to defend the home of Christendom itself when called upon. Arming themselves, they made their final prayers with God and the Saints, bade farewell to their families, as Kaspar Roist did, and charged in to battle against the attacking enemy. 189 against nearly 20,000. Though they fought with all the fury, all the fire and the skill they possessed, their small numbers lead to their downfall, and it was in a cemetery, the Campo Santo Teutonico (German Graveyard) that they made their stand, showing that fate has a twisted sense of humour.

Captain Roist was wounded in the melee before, in full sight of his beloved wife, he was killed by Spanish soldiers. Breaking from the melee and joining the tide of refugees, the survivors of the fight ran to the steps of Saint Pete's Basilica. Their bloodied weapons still in hand and their bloodied red and yellow uniforms their death shrouds, the Guard did their best to stem the tide of advancing German and Spanish troops. With halberd and sword, they fought as well as Leonidas and his fellow Spartans did at the Hot Gates of Thermopylae, but once again, the numbers of the enemy proved too great and all but forty-two died, leaving the survivors to break through for one final action, and one last chance to fulfill their oaths.

Under the command of Hercules Goldli, the forty-two survivors escorted Pope Clement VII along the Passetto di Borgo, towards Castel Sant'Angelo, fighting off any Hapsburg troops that had advanced that far, seeing to it that the life of the Pontif was saved.

The population of Rome fell from 55,000 to just over 10,00. Churches were sacked and defiled, money was looted and plundered. Men were killed trying to defend their families and homes while women were raped and butchered by the Imperial soldiers. Swathes of the city were destroyed in the resulting inferno of the city, and the Pope was confined to Castel Sant'Angelo, a prisoner in his own city. The occupation of Rome continued for eight months until the food finally ran out, no-one important enough was left to ransom and the destruction and death in the city allowed the plague to take hold.

While a sack on such a scale as the Sack of Rome would be a black mark on the banner of any guardsman or soldier, through the sacrifice of the Swiss Guard, their oath was fulfilled; the pontiff was saved and Christianity saved. Though they would be replaced with 200 German guardsmen, the Custodia Peditum Germanorum, in 1537 under Pope Paul III, the Swiss Guard would be reinstated as the defenders of the Papacy.
It is because of their bravery, that every year, on the 6th of May, in the San Damaso Courtyard, dressed in virtually the same uniforms that their predecessors would have worn on that hot day centuries ago, new recruits are sworn in to once more act as defenders of the Pope, Catholicism and Christianity.

While the Stand of the Swiss Guard and the Sack of Rome has not had much coverage in media outside of the written word, I do believe that a fitting tribute was created by the Swedish power metal Band, Sabaton, in their aptly title song, The Last Stand, which you can listen to here:

.
While the music itself may not be to everyone's tastes, I do very much believe that the lyrics, especially those for the final chorus are truly on point:

In the name of God!

For the grace, for the might of our Lord,
For the home of the holy.
For the faith, for the way of the sword,
Gave their lives so boldly.

For the grace, for the might of our Lord,
In the name of His glory,
For the faith, for the way of the sword.
Come and tell their story,
Gave their lives so boldly.
Come and tell the Swiss Guards’ story again!

 

[JackRT]

Thank you for that excellent historical lesson. What is remarkable is that men are capable of incredible heroism for a great many different and sometimes opposing reasons. King Leonidas and his 600 Spartans were mentioned. What is little known is that the 600 were 300 mated pairs of homosexual soldiers. They fought to the last man defending the pass and each other and very ironically may have changed history in doing so.

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

Thank you for that excellent historical lesson. What is remarkable is that men are capable of incredible heroism for a great many different and sometimes opposing reasons. King Leonidas and his 600 Spartans were mentioned. What is little known is that the 600 were 300 mated pairs of homosexual soldiers. They fought to the last man defending the pass and each other and very ironically may have changed history in doing so.

Indeed. And, speaking of changing history, if Emperor Charles V had paid his soldiers on time, thus meaning the Sack of Rome would not occur, there is a chance that Pope Clement would not have annulled the marriage of Henry VIII of England to Catherine of Aragon, meaning that the English Reformation would not have occurred when it did.
History is very interesting, especially when you start thinking of the 'what if?' scenarios.

 

[JackRT]

Indeed. And, speaking of changing history, if Emperor Charles V had paid his soldiers on time, thus meaning the Sack of Rome would not occur, there is a chance that Pope Clement would not have annulled the marriage of Henry VIII of England to Catherine of Aragon, meaning that the English Reformation would not have occurred when it did.
History is very interesting, especially when you start thinking of the 'what if?' scenarios.

In modern times perhaps the most interesting "what if scenario" is the Battle of Midway in 1942. The Japanese Admiral paced the bridge of his flagship for 30 minutes trying to make up his mind. He came to the right decision and issued the correct orders about 20 minutes too late. Timing is everything.

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

In modern times perhaps the most interesting "what if scenario" is the Battle of Midway in 1942. The Japanese Admiral paced the bridge of his flagship for 30 minutes trying to make up his mind. He came to the right decision and issued the correct orders about 20 minutes too late. Timing is everything.

That is crazy. The Wheel of Fate turns in some interesting ways.

 

[Dave Watchman]

Captain Roist was wounded in the melee before, in full sight of his beloved wife, he was killed by Spanish soldiers. Breaking from the melee and joining the tide of refugees, the survivors of the fight ran to the steps of Saint Pete's Basilica. Their bloodied weapons still in hand and their bloodied red and yellow uniforms their death shrouds, the Guard did their best to stem the tide of advancing German and Spanish troops. With halberd and sword, they fought as well as Leonidas and his fellow Spartans did at the Hot Gates of Thermopylae, but once again, the numbers of the enemy proved too great and all but forty-two died, leaving the survivors to break through for one final action, and one last chance to fulfill their oaths.

Yes, thank you Warden for a most excellent read. While a departure from my normal reading fare, I found it quite inspiring to learn of the Swiss Guard's heroism on that fateful day.

Tourists to the Vatican are well aware of the guys who look like they might be refugees from a Renaissance Fayre. Don’t be fooled. These guys are not toy soldiers; they are the real deal. Furthermore, their swords and halberds are not toys either. They are razor sharp and the halberdiers know how to use them.

last stand Archives - BOOK OF DAYS TALES

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

Yes, thank you Warden for a most excellent read. While a departure from my normal reading fare, I found it quite inspiring to learn of the Swiss Guard's heroism on that fateful day.

Tourists to the Vatican are well aware of the guys who look like they might be refugees from a Renaissance Fayre. Don’t be fooled. These guys are not toy soldiers; they are the real deal. Furthermore, their swords and halberds are not toys either. They are razor sharp and the halberdiers know how to use them.

last stand Archives - BOOK OF DAYS TALES

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Although I do think that I might have waxed a little too lyrical on it. But, since it's 490th anniversary, I felt it was appropriate. Although it's only ten years to the 500th anniversary, so I'd like to go to Rome and see how the Swiss Guard celebrate it.

 

[JackRT]

And from what I understand of the modern Swiss Guards, some stand duty for the tourists while most of them are deployed much like the secret service.

 

[Quid est Veritas?]

Thank you for that excellent historical lesson. What is remarkable is that men are capable of incredible heroism for a great many different and sometimes opposing reasons. King Leonidas and his 600 Spartans were mentioned. What is little known is that the 600 were 300 mated pairs of homosexual soldiers. They fought to the last man defending the pass and each other and very ironically may have changed history in doing so.

You are incorrect here.
The 300 at Thermopylae were 300 Spartan Homoioi with adult sons chosen as a rearguard by Leonidas, backed by about 700 Thespians. They held the pass on the third day of the battle to allow the rest of Leonidas' army to depart after they had been outflanked.

You are confusing them with the Sacred Band of Thebes. This was 150 pairs of homosexual lovers that fought to the death against Phillip II of Macedon at Chaeronea. While Greek culture in general was very tolerant of homosexuality, the 300 who fell to the last man at Thermopylae were not a band of lovers paired with one another, but mature Spartan householders chosen specifically because they had sons to carry on their families. They are also 300, not 600. I assume this is either confusion on account of the 700 Thespians there that day, so that about a thousand took part in that last stand or it is confusion with your erroneous pair story. I suggest you read Herodotus or at least Diodorus Siculus on this matter.

 

[Quid est Veritas?]

Indeed. And, speaking of changing history, if Emperor Charles V had paid his soldiers on time, thus meaning the Sack of Rome would not occur, there is a chance that Pope Clement would not have annulled the marriage of Henry VIII of England to Catherine of Aragon, meaning that the English Reformation would not have occurred when it did.
History is very interesting, especially when you start thinking of the 'what if?' scenarios.

Pope Clement refused to annul Henry VIII's marriage. This was likely because Charles V was Catherine of Aragon's nephew and the Pope was under the Emperor's thumb at this time. However, Clement had earlier sided with the Ghibbeline factions and was closely associated with the Medici, so there is no reason why he might not have acted similarly if he had still held Rome completely independantly. His siding against the Emperor was merely a part of the old papal balancing act between guelfs and ghibbelines in Italy itself and from his previous record was unlikely to be a permanent state of affairs. Similarly, he had good grounds to oppose it by Canon law, so I think it might not too markedly have swayed his actions if Rome had not fell. We'll never know though.

This was however the ferment of the reformation and England had a large population of Lollards, so some attempt at reformation would likely have occurred. English kings had tried for centuries to reclaim control of their native church ever since John had placed it in vassalage to the papacy. I can easily see someone as unscrupolous as Henry separating the Church of England regardless if he had gotten his annulment, although its true he was hardly a Protestant. Many of his chief ministers however were so inclined and the wealth of the church was inviting after having squandered Henry VII's miser-born fortune.

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

Pope Clement refused to annul Henry VIII's marriage. This was likely because Charles V was Catherine of Aragon's nephew and the Pope was under the Emperor's thumb at this time. However, Clement had earlier sided with the Ghibbeline factions and was closely associated with the Medici, so there is no reason why he might not have acted similarly if he had still held Rome completely independantly. His siding against the Emperor was merely a part of the old papal balancing act between guelfs and ghibbelines in Italy itself and from his previous record was unlikely to be a permanent state of affairs. Similarly, he had good grounds to oppose it by Canon law, so I think it might not too markedly have swayed his actions if Rome had not fell. We'll never know though.

This was however the ferment of the reformation and England had a large population of Lollards, so some attempt at reformation would likely have occurred. English kings had tried for centuries to reclaim control of their native church ever since John had placed it in vassalage to the papacy. I can easily see someone as unscrupolous as Henry separating the Church of England regardless if he had gotten his annulment, although its true he was hardly a Protestant. Many of his chief ministers however were so inclined and the wealth of the church was inviting after having squandered Henry VII's miser-born fortune.

You know. Now that I look at what you said, I realised what I wrote wrong in the post you quoted.
But still, speculative history is mad.

 

[JackRT]

You are incorrect here.
The 300 at Thermopylae were 300 Spartan Homoioi with adult sons chosen as a rearguard by Leonidas, backed by about 700 Thespians. They held the pass on the third day of the battle to allow the rest of Leonidas' army to depart after they had been outflanked.

You are confusing them with the Sacred Band of Thebes. This was 150 pairs of homosexual lovers that fought to the death against Phillip II of Macedon at Chaeronea. While Greek culture in general was very tolerant of homosexuality, the 300 who fell to the last man at Thermopylae were not a band of lovers paired with one another, but mature Spartan householders chosen specifically because they had sons to carry on their families. They are also 300, not 600. I assume this is either confusion on account of the 700 Thespians there that day, so that about a thousand took part in that last stand or it is confusion with your erroneous pair story. I suggest you read Herodotus or at least Diodorus Siculus on this matter.

Thank you for that clarification. I did indeed have the two incidents confused in my mind.