Swiss Victory at the Battle of Grandson
February 3rd, 1476
February 3rd, 1476
How Long Ago?
549 years, 1 month, 12 days ago
Location
Grandson, Canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Category
Military & Warfare
War/Conflict
Burgundian Wars
People
- Charles the Bold
Links & References
- Burgundian Wars
- Old Swiss Confederacy
- Charles the Bold
- Duchy of Burgundy
- Battle of Grandson
- Canton of Neuchâtel
Tags
Swiss Victory at the Battle of Grandson
The Old Swiss Confederacy defeated Charles the Bold at Grandson, marking a significant victory. This battle was part of the Burgundian Wars, where the Swiss aimed to resist Burgundian expansion. The Swiss employed effective tactics and took advantage of the terrain, leading to a surprising defeat for Charles and his forces, prompting a desperate retreat.
Charles the Bold faced a decisive defeat.
The battle marked a turning point in the Burgundian Wars.
Swiss troops used effective tactics against larger forces.
The victory boosted Swiss morale and unity.
What Happened?
The Battle of Grandson took place during the second stage of the Burgundian Wars, a conflict primarily waged between the Old Swiss Confederacy and the Duke of Burgundy, Charles the Bold. This battle was significant because it underscored the resistance of the Swiss against Burgundian hegemony in the region. The Swiss forces, numbering around 8,000, confronted Charles's army of approximately 20,000 troops, which included elite cavalry and infantry. As the two armies clashed near the town of Grandson in the Canton of Neuchâtel, the Swiss utilized their knowledge of the local terrain to outmaneuver the more heavily armed Burgundians. The outcome was a decisive victory for the Confederacy, with significant casualties inflicted on Charles's forces. Following the battle, the Swiss not only secured control over the region but also showed their military prowess and capability to unite against larger foes. The decimation of Burgundian troops heralded a turning point in the series of conflicts as it boosted Swiss morale and solidified their confederation. Charles the Bold was forced into retreat, which subsequently led to further confrontations and eventual Swiss victories in subsequent battles, impacting the power dynamics in the region. This battle, in particular, cemented the Swiss reputation in European warfare.
Why Does it Matter?
The Battle of Grandson is interesting because it exemplified the shift in power dynamics between local confederacies and larger feudal states during the late Middle Ages. The victory demonstrated the effectiveness of the Swiss military strategies and contributed to the eventual decline of Burgundian influence in Switzerland. The engagement also laid the groundwork for further Swiss successes in the Burgundian Wars, reshaping the political landscape of modern-day Switzerland and establishing the Swiss Confederacy as a formidable military power in Europe.
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