Deutsch   I   Français   I   English

The Battle of Murten, 1476

Significance of the Battle (1)

Political significance

Murten was decisive in preserving the independence of the Swiss Confederates. Indeed, for a short period in history the Confederates became a great power and were much sought-after as mercenaries. Their territorial gains were, however, modest. Berne acquired Erlach and Aigle, and - together with Fribourg - Murten, Grandson, Orbe and Echallens. Fribourg and Solothurn joined the Confederacy.

At the same time the course of European history was influenced significantly. The real victors were France and Austria. Burgundy and Picardy went to France, while the territories in the Black Forest and Upper Alsace returned to Austria. With the marriage of Maximilian to Maria of Burgundy, Charles’s only child, the House of Habsburg reached for Luxembourg and the Low Countries. Even the territory of the Franche-Comté conquered by the Confederates went to Austria against Berne’s will. The majority of Swiss did not want to expand their territory to the west and sold the region to the Habsburgs. Lorraine also regained its independence.

1  I  2