Switzerland, a Chronicle

In this episode 12 of series 2 - We'll look at Cultural and Religious achievements and then cover events in Bern, Locarno, Zürich, Luzern, Appenzell, Grisons and the Valais (phew!) There's a Facebook page where I share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . If you like the podcast and want to keep it advertising free please consider supporting me through Patr...

In this episode 11 of series 2 - Bern and its Walstätte allies defeat an imperial army led by nobles from the Burgundian Uechtland at the Battle of Laupen in 1339. There's a Facebook page where I share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . If you like what I’m doing please consider supporting me through Patreon, a link for that is also in the episode notes....

In this episode 10 of series 2 - Luzern allies with the Forest Cantons, Bern flexes its muscles against Fribourg and a Revolution takes place in Zürich. There's a Facebook page where I share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . If you like what I’m doing please consider supporting me through Patreon, a link for that is also in the episode notes. You can fin...

In this episode 9 of series 2 - We'll look at the aftermath of the Battle of Morgarten. The Habsburgs continued to exert their claims to little avail. New alliances emerge in the Swiss lands. There's a Facebook page where I share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . If you like what I’ve started please consider supporting me through Patreon, a link for that...

In this episode 8 of series 2 - We'll visit the site of the Battle of Morgarten and learn about the defeat of Leopold I's army by Swiss Confederates, an event that will echo around Europe. The Pact of Brunnen is sworn just three weeks after the battle to reflect a deeper solidarity for the Eidgenossen. There's a Facebook page where I share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzer...

In this episode 7 of series 2 - I'll examine the dual election of Friedrich the Fair of Habsburg and Wittelsbach Ludwig of Bavaria. We'll see how an occupation of the Monastery of Einsiedeln by the men of Schwyz drove the Habsburgs under Leopold, Friedrich's younger brother to contemplate an invasion of Schwyz. I'll also take a look at a current fringe idea that modern Switzerland “descends from”...

In this episode 6 of series 2 - I recount the assassination of King Albrecht I by his nephew when crossing the Reuss near Windisch. There's a Facebook page where I share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . If you like what I’ve started please consider supporting me through Patreon, a link for that is also in the episode notes. You can find me and support m...

In this episode 5 of series 2 - I recount the story of Wilhelm Tell and the shooting of an apple from the head of his son and then look at how the Swiss hero has been perceived and emulated during subsequent history. What is his status today? There's a Facebook page where I share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . If you like what I’ve started please cons...

In this episode 4 of series 2 - I recount the stories of the Oath on the Rütli or Rütlischwur of 1307. Is the event historical? How does it affect subsequent events since it does form a core part of the liberation tradition in Switzerland? There's a Facebook page where I share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . I am creating a podcast website that will la...

In this episode 3 of series 2 - The Sacred and Secular in the 13th/14th centuries we'll look at several new influences on religion and thought in the Swiss lands and some new secular trends, some that connect to the sacred and some that do not. There's a Facebook page where I share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . I am creating a podcast website that wi...

In this episode 2 of series 2 - Plus ça change, (plus c'est la même chose) we'll look at how things change but largely remain the same in the 1290s and early 1300s. Something is changing in society but it will take a little longer to fully manifest. There's a Facebook page where I share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . I am also going to create a podcas...

In this episode starting series 2 - The Bundesbrief of 1291. Why was it written? What does it say? What outcomes stem from its creation? There's a Facebook page where I share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . In 2026 I am going to create a podcast website that will largely replace this and include the text of the episodes. If you like what I’ve started p...

Apologies for the lack of a new episode. Unfortunately I’m just recovering from a horrendous bout of cold or flu. My voice hasn’t been useful for recoding for two weeks and I’ve fallen behind on content creation, my head feeling as if it were made of wood. The first episode of series 2 will appear early in the New Year and cover the events of 1291. There's a Facebook page where I'll share news, ma...

Nearly two-thirds of Switzerland's territory belongs to the Alpine region, and the Alps have profoundly shaped the entire history of Switzerland. In this episode we’ll look at the Alpine Lands particularly the Berner Oberland from circa 1200 CE onwards. There's a Facebook page where I'll share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . Please follow me if you'd l...

In this episode we’ll examine the reign of German King, Rudolf I, King of the Romans. We'll look at the events of his reign with a focus on those in Swiss territory and we'll also look as his character and how he is now viewed in Swiss history. There's a Facebook page where I'll share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . Please follow me if you'd like and s...

In this episode we’ll examine the Great Interregnum when German lands of the Roman Empire had no Emperor. Kings were elected but had little power. It was a time of lawlessness but also alliances between those trying to maintain peace and trade. There's a Facebook page where I'll share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . Please follow me if you'd like and s...

In this episode we’ll take a closer look at the territory of the Waldstätte or Urschweiz as a precursor to the events of the second half of the thirteenth century and look at daily like in 1250 CE. How has it changed since our last look in 1000 CE in episode 5? There's a Facebook page where I'll share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . Please follow me if...

In this episode we'll look at events between 1232 and 1250 CE, The people of Schwyz gain Reichsfreiheit, Emperor Friedrich II dies and the Interregnum when the Empire has no leader starts. There's a Facebook page where I'll share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . Please follow me if you'd like and send me feedback. You can find me and support me on Patre...

In this episode we'll look at events between 1219 and 1231 CE, Cities are gaining more self-determination and trade is increasing causing an uptick in the need for money and hence mints. The St. Gotthard Pass is opened for north-south traffic and as a result Uri quickly obtains imperial immediacy or Reichsfreiheit. There's a Facebook page where I'll share news, maps and images that support the nar...

In this episode we'll look at events at the outset of the thirteenth century. The Walsers commence their migrations, Schwyz gains territory in their long term struggle with Einsiedeln and the House of Zähringen comes to an end with the death of Berthold V without heirs. There's a Facebook page where I'll share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . Please fol...

In this episode we'll look at events in the last quarter of the twelfth century. Friedrich Barbarossa dies, Bern is founded, the border between Uri and Glarus is in dispute, there are some important church rebuilding projects and there is the tale of Idda of Toggenburg. There's a Facebook page where I'll share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . Please fol...

In this episode we'll look at events in the third quarter of the twelfth century. There are tensions between the House of Zähringen and the House of Hohenstaufen. We have some insights from original sources about Alpine Farming and the income of a large Monastery. There's a Facebook page where I'll share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . Please follow if...

In this episode we'll look at events in the first half of the twelfth century. Noble house are on the rise as the Empire is relatively weak. We'll also look at tensions in the heart of Swiss territory. There's also a Facebook page where I'll share news, maps and images that support the narrative - Switzerland, a Chronicle . Find me or support on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/peterwalker392/...

Having taken a break in the last episode, we return to the timeline narrative in this episode and pick up in the early 11th century. We'll look at events and changes in Burgundy and Swabia as part of the Empire in the 11th century. The Investiture Crisis between Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII has its effects. There's also a Facebook page where I'll share news, maps and images that support the narra...

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