Around the end of the 13th century, several merchants from what Northern Italy, Southern Germany and Eastern France around the Alps decided to join together to form the Swiss Confederation in an attempt to avoid the trade practices of their neighbours.
The Swiss Confederation has since its incarnation been a federal state, where each cantons have had more rights than, for instance, modern U.S. states. Its federal government at best only controls foreign policy, military and the supreme court of the land. This was to ensure the freedom of trade in each canton depending on the interests of the merchants in each.
The Swiss Confederation has long maintained a neutrality foreign policy, as its main interest relies on trade and diplomacy relationship with the European continent. However, despite its policy, it has been involved in several wars, the last significant one was against the First French Empire, where it had to submit to French rule for the course of the war.
However, despite its neutrality, Switzerland maintains a significant military force, as well all its citizens are technically part of its reserve to be mobilised during war time. But because they are not often involved directly in wars, the Swiss are known for their mercenaries, noticeably the Swiss Guard hired to protect the Pope, whom still serve to this day.
Ahhh the detail of the flowing rivers of milk is priceless. Whose idea was this? Svip's or Woot's? I like the pike as well..."the swiss pikeman reminded the hellenic phalanxes in the gunpowder era"
This is both cute (her expression! So sweet!), sexy (Ah Switzerland, your lands seem very fertile to me...) and flippin' hilarious (Nice way to portray those rivers there *grin)! Beautifully done!
@Djoser: My idea! Also, this girl is based on Helvetia, which is an *actual* personification of Switzerland. Helvetia carries a pike and a shield. More information: https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Helvetia
@DrKrazy: Yes yes, it will be over soon. Don't worry, I shall let woot back to his usual gig. He just likes getting paid. :) Can you blame him? I am going to stick to my series though.
I actually saw a documentary about the Knight's Templar where, at the end, it said that some historians believe that when the KT was attacked on Friday, October 13, 1307, and the times afterward, some of them fled to the region of Switzerland, then a rather poor region with almost no military might. This is supported because during an invasionoon after, I can't remember by whom, the Swiss displayed unusual skill in battle. The Templar also may have brought the Swiss their mercantile skills, as the KT basically invented modern day banking. Besides, look at their symbols. The Swiss and the KT's are identical, except the colors are switched.
@4morian5: Correct. It should be mentioned that the Swiss flag was originally just a cross (in fact very similar to the Danish flag). The Swiss flag and coat of arms is based on the coat of arms of the canton of Schwyz, which Switzerland is named after. In the early days of Switzerland, Schwyz was the one of the most significant parts in Switzerland, in high contrast to today.
![Historines: Swiss Federation [Commission]](./content/598.png)
The Swiss Confederation has since its incarnation been a federal state, where each cantons have had more rights than, for instance, modern U.S. states. Its federal government at best only controls foreign policy, military and the supreme court of the land. This was to ensure the freedom of trade in each canton depending on the interests of the merchants in each.
The Swiss Confederation has long maintained a neutrality foreign policy, as its main interest relies on trade and diplomacy relationship with the European continent. However, despite its policy, it has been involved in several wars, the last significant one was against the First French Empire, where it had to submit to French rule for the course of the war.
However, despite its neutrality, Switzerland maintains a significant military force, as well all its citizens are technically part of its reserve to be mobilised during war time. But because they are not often involved directly in wars, the Swiss are known for their mercenaries, noticeably the Swiss Guard hired to protect the Pope, whom still serve to this day.