Why are the Vatican guards Swiss?

Answer 1

Swiss Guards are Swiss mercenary soldiers who have served as bodyguards, ceremonial guards, and palace guards at foreign European courts from the late 15th century until the present day (in the form of the Papal Swiss Guard). They have generally had a high reputation for discipline and loyalty to their employers. Some of these units have also served as fighting troops in the field. There were also regular Swiss mercenary regiments serving as line troops in various armies, notably those of France, Spain and Naples until the 19th century who were not household or guard units.

Various "Swiss Guards" have existed. The earliest such detachment was the Swiss "Hundred Guard" (Cent-Garde) at the French court (1497 – 1830). This small force was complemented in 1567 by a Swiss Guard regiment. The Papal Swiss Guard in the Vatican was founded in 1506 and is the only Swiss Guard that still exists. In the 18th century several other Swiss Guards existed for periods in various European courts.

Answer 2

It is actually the Swiss Guard. These were mercenaries but exceptionally disciplined and unfailingly loyal to their employers. And these employers included royal courts, palaces, etc.

AND the Vatican. The Papal Swiss Guard was actually formed in 1506. And it is the only Swiss Guard left today.

Being mercenary - and exceptionally loyal to their employer - they were perfect. Otherwise, lacking any form or army or security force, the papacy would have had to rely on another government to provide for security. And those security people would have been really serving that government. But by using mercenaries (they were "Swiss" but not part of the Swiss government) then the papacy controlled the guard but also was foremost in their loyalty.

Answer 3

I was in the Vatican City one day when a group of the Swiss guard escorted some priests in a ceremony of some sort. Those dudes were large guys who looked like the offensive line of the Dallas cowboys. I would never have messed with them. To bad we can't have a few of those guys around the hood looking out for us.

Answer 4

The Swiss used to have the best mercenary foot soldiers in Europe. More information is available at the Swiss Guard site linked to below.

Answer 5

Possibly because the Swiss (Helvetians) did not have mutual defence treaties with other countries, which made them significantly more trustworthy at a period when other countries were forging such treaties and undertaking hostilities against others.

The Swiss, largely because of their inaccessibility and mountainous isolation did not need to call on anyone else to help them, and thus did not take sides nor seek to gain territory.

The Swiss guard are recruited from Swiss males who have served and trained in the Swiss military, but NOT from the canton of Ticino as it is Italian speaking.

Answer 6

Two reasons I think. The Swiss have been neutral for centuries, so having Swiss guards was non-political and would not trigger any additional hostility. Also the Swiss soldiers and mercenaries have long been considered very good at what they do. So they were very capable guards that did not have their own agenda.

Answer 7

The Swiss have never had a standing army and only hired the soldiers out as Mercenaries. The Popes of old used them, they were close, and the Pope always had money so they were loyal. SInce then, like so many things like this. It has become a tradition to hire Swiss Mercenaries.

Answer 8

Tradition.

Answer 9

korky
you are so wrong. Every man of fighting age has his arms and ammunition in his house; every bridge is mined; every house has a nuclear bunker; and that is just what is common knowledge. You would have to be even more stupid and ignorant than Blair and Bush to mess with them. There's more chance of success in Iraq and Afganistan than there would be in Switzerland.

Answer 10

Its strange that a neutral country like Switzerland that cant and wont defend itself only by money laundering,
should provide the holiest man in the RC world with his bodyguard