How 1,500 Peasants Slaughtered 9,000 Knights: Battle of Morgarten 1315

Video Description

In 1315, the Battle of Morgarten shattered the myth of knightly invincibility and changed the course of European history forever. This wasn't a fair fight; it was a brutal execution where 1,500 Swiss peasants, armed with crude tools and intimate knowledge of their terrain, annihilated a Habsburg army of 9,000 men. In this documentary, we dissect the tactics, the weapons, and the catastrophic arrogance that led to one of the most shocking upsets in medieval warfare. The House of Habsburg, led by Duke Leopold I, marched into the frozen pass of Lake Aegeri expecting a simple police action against rebellious farmers. Instead, they walked into a perfect kill box. We break down how the Swiss Confederation used gravity as a weapon, triggering a landslide of timber and rock before descending with the terrifying halberd to butcher the trapped knights. This video explores the rise of the Swiss Mercenaries, the specific mechanics of the halberd vs. plate armor, and the "No Quarter" policy that made the Swiss the most feared soldiers in Europe. If you want to understand how the Battle of Morgarten marked the beginning of the end for the age of Chivalry, this deep dive is for you. Join us as we analyze the "Marchenstreit" conflict involving Einsiedeln Abbey, the strategic failures of Leopold I, and the birth of modern asymmetric warfare. The legacy of the Battle of Morgarten proves that history is written by the victors, even if they are just humble dairy farmers. HISTORICAL SOURCES & TOPICS COVERED: The political rise of the Swiss Confederation (Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden). The tactical breakdown of the ambush at Lake Aegeri. The evolution of the Halberd as an anti-cavalry weapon. The psychological impact of "No Quarter" warfare. The transition from feudal levies to Swiss Mercenaries. #BattleofMorgarten #MedievalHistory #SwissHistory #MilitaryTactics #Habsburg