Swiss Mercenaries: The Bloody Business of the Reisläufer

While Switzerland is known for its neutrality and wealth, the nation's past is steeped in the brutal and profitable trade of mercenaries. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Reisläufer — Swiss soldiers who fought for foreign powers from the 15th to the 19th century. They were feared for their halberds and discipline, earning a reputation as the finest infantry in Europe. But their service came at a cost: tens of thousands died in foreign wars, while their homeland stayed neutral. Lucas unpacks the system of capitulations (contracts with kings), the iconic Swiss Guard in the Vatican, and the internal tensions over a trade that built fortunes but drained lives. From the Battle of Marignano to the French Revolution, the Reisläufer shaped European warfare and Swiss identity. This episode dives into the economics, the legends, and the moral complexities of a nation that profited from war while staying out of it. #History #FexingoHistory #Switzerland #Reisläufer #Mercenaries #SwissGuard #Halberd #Marignano #Capitulation #Eidgenossenschaft #Tagsatzung #Landsgemeinde #Milan #Lombardy #CharlesTheBold #MedievalWarfare #EuropeanHistory #MilitaryHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo