Battle of Morgarten
Morgarten, by Lake Ägeri, near Sattel, Switzerland
What happened
Swiss Confederates from Schwyz, helped by Uri and Unterwalden, fought a Habsburg Austrian army led by Duke Leopold I. The Habsburgs sent an army to punish the mountain communities of Schwyz. The Swiss set an ambush on a narrow path between a steep slope and a marsh by Lake Ägeri. When the long column of knights was trapped there, the Swiss attacked from above and drove the army back.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the Swiss Confederacy's first great military success. Within a month the communities renewed their alliance, and the Confederacy began to grow.
What came next
In December 1315 the Confederates renewed their oath of alliance of 1291. Within about 40 years, cities such as Lucerne, Zürich and Zug had joined them.
Did you know?
A monument by Lake Ägeri was unveiled in 1908, and a shooting contest has been held there on the battle's anniversary every year since 1912.
Timeline
- 1291The Confederates' first oath of alliance.
- 15 November 1315The Swiss win at Morgarten.
- December 1315The Confederates renew their alliance.
- 1908The Morgarten monument is unveiled.
- 1912The yearly anniversary shooting contest begins.