The Battle of Näfels was fought on 9 April 1388 between the

Swiss canton The 26 cantons of Switzerland are the Federated state, member states of the Switzerland, Swiss Confederation. The nucleus of the Swiss Confederacy in the form of the first three confederate allies used to be referred to as the . Two important ...

Glarus Glarus (; ; ; ; ) is the capital of the canton of Glarus in Switzerland. Since 1 January 2011, the municipality of Glarus incorporates the former municipalities of Ennenda, Netstal and Riedern.Old Swiss Confederation, and the

Duchy of Austria The Duchy of Austria (; ) was a medieval principality of the Holy Roman Empire, established in 1156 by the '' Privilegium Minus'', when the Margraviate of Austria ('' Ostarrîchi'') was detached from Bavaria and elevated to a duchy in its own ri ...

ruled by the

House of Habsburg The House of Habsburg (; ), also known as the House of Austria, was one of the most powerful Dynasty, dynasties in the history of Europe and Western civilization. They were best known for their inbreeding and for ruling vast realms throughout ...

. It was a decisive victory for Glarus and led to its independence from

Habsburg The House of Habsburg (; ), also known as the House of Austria, was one of the most powerful dynasties in the history of Europe and Western civilization. They were best known for their inbreeding and for ruling vast realms throughout Europe d ...

rule. The battle was the last of the Swiss-Austrian conflicts that stretched through most of the 14th century.

Background

A few weeks after the

Battle of Sempach The Battle of Sempach was fought on 9 July 1386, between Leopold III, Duke of Austria and the Old Swiss Confederacy. The battle was a decisive Swiss victory in which Duke Leopold and numerous Austrian nobles died. The victory helped turn the lo ...

on 9 July 1386, the Swiss Confederation captured the Habsburg village of Weesen on the

Walensee Lake Walen, also known as Lake Walenstadt or (), is one of the larger lakes in Switzerland. Located in the east of the country, about two thirds of its area are in the canton of St. Gallen and about one third in the canton of Glarus. Its na ...

. 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. 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.

Battle

On 9 April 1388 the main Austrian army, under Toggenburg and Thorberg, attacked and captured the fortifications ('' letzi'') around Näfels. The garrison, comprising about 400 troops from Glarus and a few dozen troops from both

Schwyz Schwyz (; ; ) is a town and the capital of the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland. The Federal Charter of 1291 or ''Bundesbrief'', the charter that eventually led to the foundation of Switzerland, can be seen at the ''Bundesbriefmuseum''. The of ...

and Uri, held out for a short time, but was forced to withdraw into the hills. As they retreated, the Austrian army spread out to plunder the villages and farms. The Glarners then emerged from the snow and fog to take the Austrians by surprise as they were preoccupied with looting. Following a brief battle, the disorganized Austrians broke and fled toward Weesen, but the collapse of the bridge over the ''Maag'' or ''Weeser

Linth The Linth (pronounced "lint") is a Switzerland, Swiss river that rises near the Linthal, Glarus, village of Linthal in the mountains of the cantons of Switzerland, canton of canton of Glarus, Glarus, and eventually flows into the Obersee (Züri ...

'' 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 Swiss had 54 men killed, who were buried at the

parish church A parish church (or parochial church) in Christianity is the Church (building), church which acts as the religious centre of a parish. In many parts of the world, especially in rural areas, the parish church may play a significant role in com ...

of Mollis. Habsburg losses are less well known, but are estimated to be between several hundred and 1,700 killed. 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.

Aftermath

In 1389, a seven-years' peace was signed at

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, 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.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nafels, Battle of Nafels 1388 Nafels 1388 1388 in Europe Battles of the Middle Ages Conflicts in 1388 14th century in the Old Swiss Confederacy 1380s in the Holy Roman Empire Canton of Glarus

Background

Battle

Aftermath

See also

References