| WIKI | FAQ | Tech FAQ | |
 http://csua.com/feed/ | |
| ||||||
| 5/24 |
| 2003/12/11-12 [Politics/Domestic/Gay, Politics/Foreign/Europe] UID:11421 Activity:high |
12/11 Are the Swiss Guards at the Vatican related to the military in
Switzerland in any way?
\_ STFW:
http://reference.allrefer.com/encyclopedia/S/SwissGua.html
http://www.italiansrus.com/articles/swissguards.htm
(Read: sort of. They are required to have basic military training
in the Swiss army, but are a separate group.)
\_ Yes. They have to have gone through military training, and are
dispensed from the normal reserve duty (and have to be Catholics.)
We think they're all repressed homosexuals. -John
\_ That would be a convenient explanation for the outfits. |
| 5/24 |
|
| reference.allrefer.com/encyclopedia/S/SwissGua.html These mercenaries, who were not volunteers, were put at the disposal of foreign powers by treaties called capitulations between the Swiss diet, the separate cantons, and the foreign power concerned, in return for money payments. As a result of the traditional alliance between Switzerland and France : dating from the Everlasting Peace of 1516 : the Swiss mercenaries played their most important role in the military history of France. Francis I used some 120,000 Swiss levies in his wars, and in the battle of Pavia 1525 his personal guard, the Hundred Swiss, was slain before Francis was captured by the Spanish. Under Louis XIV, the Swiss troops were organized in two categories: the kings military household and the ordinary Swiss regiments. The most famous episode in the history of the Swiss Guards was their defense Aug. Their heroic stand is commemorated by the Lion of Lucerne, the impressive monument by Thorvaldsen at Lucerne, Switzerland. The French revolutionists abolished Swiss troops, but Napoleon I obtained 1803 several Swiss regiments, which were virtually annihilated in the Russian campaign of 1812. Swiss troops were used in the Bourbon restoration, and many of them were massacred in the July Revolution of 1830, after which they were permanently abolished. The Swiss constitution of 1874 forbade all military capitulations and recruitment of Swiss by foreign powers, although volunteering in foreign armies continued until absolutely prohibited in 1927. An exception to the ruling of 1874 is the Swiss Guard of the Vatican, founded in 1505 by Pope Julius II, which is the personal guard of the pope. Recruited from the Catholic cantons of central Switzerland, the Swiss Guard at the Vatican is garbed in colorful costume of Renaissance design. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright 2003, Columbia University Press. |
| www.italiansrus.com/articles/swissguards.htm Enjoy as you learn more about the traditions, heritage and way of life that make Italians who they are. Home Advertise Articles Email Forum Store Resources Art , Cuisine , Famous Italians , Festivals , Folklore , Genealogy , Holidays , Maps , Photos , Sports , Travel and More Surname Collection Add your name to the collection. Gift Guide Books Calendars Clothing Music Posters/Prints Videos Regional Guides Guides to Italys regions. Swiss Guards by Anthony Parente The Swiss Guards were formed at the beginning of the 16th century by Pope Julius II. Since the Swiss were considered to be highly skilled mercenaries who were couragous and loyal, the Pope decided to recruit them to serve as palace guards & bodyguards for the Pope. It was the day the Swiss Guards suffered their worse lose to date. On this day 147 Guards displayed great courage as they were slain protecting Pope Clement VII. They were able to prolong the battle against the army of Charles V allowing Pope Clement VII to escape and run for shelter. To commemorate those killed helping to protect Pope Clement VII the Vatican holds this day as the day that all new recruits take their oath to serve and protect the Pope and the Vatican. A halberd is a weapon that looks like an axe with a spear at the top and it sits on a long pole. Over the years the uniform has undergone only slight modifications. The uniform consists of yellow, red, and blue stripes and the helmet has a red plume at the top. What makes the uniform even more important is that it that legend states is was created by Michelangelo. Today there are roughly a little over 100 members of the Swiss Guards. This is an elite group and the demands placed on each individual at time can be very rigorous. There primary duties are to secure the papal apartment and Apostolic Palace as well as the four entrances to the Vatican. They are also at the Popes side when he makes public appearances to ensure his safety and they stand guard during masses and papal audiences. They work around the clock and their shifts can be lenghty and at times irregular. The next time you are in Rome and you happen to see the Swiss Guards at the Vatican you can appreciate the work and dedication they put forth in protecting the Pontiff and the Vatican. |