Battle of Morat 1476 | Burgundian Wars Pt 3

In the 1470ies the Old Swiss Confederacy was suddenly drawn into the wider politics of Europe. Aggressive expansionist Burgundian politics lead to the termination of the longstanding conflict between the Swiss and the house of Habsburg. In addition, Burgundy’s aggression against Lorraine and the lower league, both allies of the Old Swiss confederacy, and ambitions of the city state of Bern to expand into the region of Vaud had hardened the fronts between Burgundy and the Swiss. In the spring of 1476 Charles the bold of Burgundy led a campaign against the Old Swiss Confederacy. On the 2nd of March he clashed with the Swiss near Grandson. His army was caught on the wrong foot and soon turned to flight, leaving their richly equipped camp and their cutting-edge artillery for the Swiss. However, the Swiss didn’t exploit this victory and failed to take sufficient preventive measures. Only the Bernese placed a garrison of 1’500 men in the small but strategically important town of Morat, while the other cantons confined themselves to promise to come to Bern’s aid, in case its territory was under direct threat. However, Charles soon began to plan his revenge.
According to historians such as Christian Folini the battle of Morat was the decisive battle of the Burgundian wars - it was characterized by an allegedly quick Burgundian siege, false alarms and a quick and decisive assault of the Swiss relieve army. This video is the third installment of a series on the Burgundian Wars and explains how contemporary historiography recounts the battle of Morat.
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Bibliography
Folini, Christian, s.v. Schlacht bei Murten, in: HLS.
Grosjean, Georges, Die Murtenschlacht. Analyse eines Ereignisses, in: Die Murtenschlacht. Eine Schweizer Ereignis in Europas Geschichte zwischen Mittelalter und Neuzeit 1476-1976, Bern 1976.
Kurz, Hans Rudolf, Schweizerschlachten, Bern 1962.
Schmidtchen, Volker, Kriegswesen im Spätmittelalter, 1990.
Senn, s.v. "Kriegführung" in: Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz.
Sieber-Lehmann, S., Spätmittelalterlicher Nationalismus. Die Burgunderkriege am Oberrhein und in der Eidgenossenschaft, Göttingen 1995.
Sieber-Lehmann, C., s.v. Burgunderkriege, in: HLS.

[@Khobotov]

Charles: *Executes all defenders of Grandson* Defenders of Morat: "Yeah, we better fight to the bitter end instead of surrendering to that asshat." Charles: *Surprised Pikachu face*

[@elwingrunder4436]

solange in uns noch eine ader lebt gibt keiner nach. adrians answer to charles as long as 1 vein lives in us nobody gives up

[@eddy_malouempereur_du_cong6536]

He did the same shit at Nelse during his war against France. He massacred nearly all the population of the city. Whene Charles the bald besieged Beauvais the inhabitant didn't wanted to share the same fate than the Nelsian and fought tough and nails until the reenforcement of the the royal army arrive forcing Charles to retreat

[@Abir-cb4ii]

I'm so glad I found your channel

[@jacksonthesyndicalist2771]

Agreed. It's über unique

[@elhombredeoro955]

So am I

[@andriusmars2409]

Same here. So informative and focused. Thank you guys for answering so many questions about medieval warfare...

[@fabianzimmermann5495]

Being from Switzerland, I really appreciate the effort you put in these videos, to make these events more known to casual audiences. I didn‘t know much about the burgundian wars, but after I looked into it a little, I find it to be very interesting.

[@sebi8631]

Right, thats why we still protect the pope. Still known for precision and effectivity... 😉

[@Gabryal77]

Being an ex-American it always shocks me how little propaganda other countries subject their school children too. If they did it in Switzerland like they do it in America the Burgundian wars would probably take up 4 years of schooling, as they forced you to memorize every stylized romanticized detail of them while heaping praise on it's leaders.

[@fabianzimmermann5495]

@@Gabryal77 I never thought about it that way, but yeah, you're right. The most we looked into Swiss history in school (at least in my school) was during the industrialisation era and how the country was doing at that time. The majority of the rest was a run down of ancient history about Egypt and Greece and then mostly what the rest of Europe was doing with the starting point roughly being Louis XIV.

[@SandRhomanHistory]

There will be one more video about the battle of Nancy that will finish the series on the Burgundian Wars. Let us know whether you'd like us to continue on Swiss history. Other options would be to have a look at the Landsknechts or the Eighty Years' War. Edit: typo

[@garethpilcher8699]

I'm loving the swiss history! Would love to see how the confederacy grew!

[@garethpilcher8699]

I'd also like to request some videos on welsh history and battles

[@Zadlo14]

History of Landsknechts, their battles and their decline is less known than Swiss one so it could be interesting.

[@istvansipos9940]

based on your videos so far, just give us military history from any area and era, it will be fine. And, if you focus on something in particular (a leader, a campaign, a war, f.e.), an episode about their military tech would be nice. Upon starting or finishing a series.

[@glenng8185]

More of the Swiss please. Maybe the swiss expansion in the south and their battles against Mailand (Milano)

[@brianoneil9662]

That's 140km on narrow unpaved roads and not flat open terrain. That's a truly impressive feat, men of Zurich

[@jevinliu4658]

Not really. Between Zurich and Morat, the Jura and the Alps is a rather flat plain. Still impressive, though.

[@rhs5683]

Danke

[@paladinbob1236]

a much undervalued recommended video series this , a must see by military history lovers, which needs more exposure and support......particularly liking the flexability of the swiss undercommanders who seem much superior to the normal armies of charles :)

[@WoutBr]

Conclusion: Charles wasn't a military mastermind

[@jothegreek]

I do not get why he didn't defend his main linw

[@legonightwarrior6608]

I've just seen an article about you in the newspaper. Of course I've had to go look for your channel! You deserve that popularity!

[@Just.Kidding]

What did it say?

[@legonightwarrior6608]

@@Just.Kidding Just stating that these ppl have a channel and are quite successful.

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

A voice heard by von Bubenberg: “Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East.” Also von Bubenberg: “The horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound one last time!”

[@brokenbridge6316]

Charles the Bold should've made peace with the Swiss Confederacy when he had the chance. And then he would have avoided some very humiliating defeats at the hands of the Swiss. But then again we might not have gotten the Swiss golden era as mentioned in this video. Or maybe it would've come later. Who knows. Great job.

[@Zadlo14]

He was just a stereotypical French noble.

[@agroulesupermarinespitfire4209]

@@Zadlo14 Burgundian, not French. If you're referring to nobility of French descent, then that's basically half of Europe, including England.

[@Panzerfan93]

10:26 To think that the same nation would create a document to prohibit just such a thing 400 years later is kind of ironic in a funny way

[@joeyschmutnick5695]

@@RagingDong you can thank the French Revolution too

[@ousamadearudesuwa]

French Revolution can change things drastically. However, armies at that time were not as standardized as it was during the French Revolution as soldiers were closer to militiamen and mercenaries and would often treat PoWs as ransom money if you are of high status.

[@helium-379]

The swiss are always a very interesting lot even to this day.

[@vladdrakul7851]

I know they helped finance the Nazis, got rich off stolen Jewish property, protected and hide billionaire criminals and their ill gotten gains and are an excellent tax shelter for the oligarchs ripping our democracy and liberty from us as they build the perfect police state and censorship ala China. Our own European moral free pirate bay! But they make nice clocks and pen knives!

[@someonesilence3731]

@@vladdrakul7851 Someone is triggerd.

[@orionofodyssey7271]

Vlad Drakul Concerning the cooperation with the Nazis: Switzerland was in a most difficult position during WW2

[@helium-379]

@@vladdrakul7851 That still makes their country more interesting. Im not concerned with the flimsy morals of the modern person.

[@vladdrakul7851]

@@orionofodyssey7271 Oh that's ok then make money of the holocaust victims then. Like *fu ta* dribbling her bigoted cliches about 'the flimsy morals of the modern person' as though she knows me or what I think and as though every modern person is the same which of course is 100% not true. .

[@fredbosch5392]

I grew up in the town of Morat. It's better known as Murten!

[@Sofus.]

It's really nice that you name your sources. It gives me, as a layman, a belief in the care and authenticity 🎬

[@jaythompson5102]

Agree it helps the channel stand out a bit too. Historymarche does it well too but showing sources and discussing important historian's feelings on the subject is invaluable.

[@YoreHistory]

I LOVE these animations, well done! Love me some Swiss Mercenary.

[@kennethfharkin]

Great videos. I have been going to Switzerland for over 20 years for work and have taken the time to see many historical sights. This piece of history is interesting in how it is depicted in different places. I have been in Murten several times and walked the old walls, it is a very cool experience. Not far away I have visited the Castle in Gruyeres where the short history movie tells the story from the perspective of Gruyeres, which had sided with Charles. Going to Thun you get a different story. Thun had a contingent at the battle, notably crossbowmen. Their forces captured Charle's court jester and many of the contents of his tents. They jester's costume as well as those captured items are on display in the castle in the center of the town. You also have sculptures of the jester who is the center of an annual tradition where someone in his costume is harried and insulted from the castle to the town hall in response for the insults directed at Thun by the Jester before the battle.

[@Ghonosyphlaids]

I think it's really rad how you frame your breakdown in terms of contemporary historiography

[@Just.Kidding]

He doesn't though. He always says something along the lines of, "This video will explain how contemporary historiography recounts (event)" but - and I hate to say this - that's just not what historiography is. If this video was about the historiography of the Battle of Morat, it wouldn't be about _what happened_ there, it'd be about *_how we discovered_* what happened.

[@Jodonho]

Charles the Bold, not Charles the Smart

[@northumbriabushcraft1208]

Your channel is great. Up to part 3 on this and watched some of your videos on the 80 years war. Definitly got a new subscriber from me.

[@yavyav2281]

Very good video, looking forward the battle of Nancy !

[@philippedelaloye4097]

La meilleure explication sur l'histoire suisse. Bravo et merci.

[@sergiobarcena7313]

This channel is one of my favourites, along with Kings and Generals, Epic History TV and HistoryMarche.

[@AndresRamirez-fi5uw]

Check out Bazbattles, and Historia Civilis too

[@Birkarl_]

Historia civilis and Kings and generals are run by communists, dont sub to that filth.

[@jaythompson5102]

@@Birkarl_ lol what the hell? Both of those channels are excellent.

[@shellshockedgerman3947]

@@Birkarl_ Imagine being this political.

[@mitchellanderson3960]

@@jaythompson5102 what he is referencing is that Kings and Gens supports BLM. BLM was founded by self declared Marxists. BLM supports historical rewrites such as The 1619 Project which was widely discredited by professional historians. A history chanel that supports Marxists (historically speaking having committed some of the worst atrocities in human history) and the rewriting of history to fit political agendas should be given a long, hard look.

[@akedus44]

"Flight of Charles the Bold". How ironic.

[@tobago3679]

Thank you. Love the series and your style. Looking forward to the next episode. Take care and keep it up!

[@Bladavia]

That's the kind of stuff I learned in school but totally forgot/didn't care. It's so much better in video format ! Also props for putting the effort with pronunciation of names and places.

[@andersschmich8600]

Wonderful video, provides a detailed yet readily accessible account without being overly dramatic.

[@choirboyzcutleryoutdoors]

Straight binge watching! Love this!

[@Catonius]

Antoine the Bastard was actually a lovely chap. ..and Bubenberg is just how you imagine it, sublime.

[@ofsabir]

Excellent content as always!

[@FlorentPlacide]

Such a good content ! Your work is serious, very well illustrated and narrated. Cheers from Normandy :)

[@troo_6656]

Love this channel. Found it just tomorow and it is one of the best history channels on youtube.

[@ethienosinsky5186]

This war really illustrates Napoleon's quote about making less mistakes than your opponent, the Swiss stumbled into victory

[@psel2501]

Yesss, part 3 is finally here!

[@FxTR22]

finally someone making a history documentation about the siwss :-) Good work!

[@Khobotov]

Thanks for covering those interesting, yet not widely known, battles and wars.

[@Zaitekno]

Endli gahts wiiter, finally it continues!

[@alexandervolkov5205]

Bubenberg has got to be up there with "Bigus Dickus" for funniest name XD

[@alpenjon]

Newer thought of his name that way ;)

[@Emil-cj6ey]

Whats that dramatic music throughout and at the end of the video? Its really nice

[@KnooBill]

also curious

[@Darktodesengel]

incredible historical series and excellent work.

[@renedekart5069]

I am looking for developer job to be able to support you on Patreon. Great job, man, you are doing my day better.

[@LiscenedColonial]

One of my ancestors was recorded being a footman at this battle he was on the Swiss side

[@mr.c.3760]

Phillip the One Eyed would be proud

[@taysandean]

Remind me of the french voice from blade storm! Love it!

[@washubrain]

Great hidden piece of history!

[@gregorylittle1461]

I really enjoy your work! Ich glaube Sie wollten „to encircle" für „einzukesseln“. Wenn nicht, dann bitte entschuldigen Sie mich.

[@kamelmeddah9074]

It's a crime this channel doesn't have more subs

[@MrProtopopescovici]

good job, keep up this series its really interesting

[@mtathos_]

Amazing video as always

[@MrLOTG]

Great videos, keep them up!

[@SJ23982398]

I like the graphics!

[@richi7494]

Charles really never heard of scouts

[@axiezimmah]

That's why you should not always just kill everyone who fought you, because it will make any other opponent never surrender, making future battles much harder.

[@Prometheukles]

Yeah endlech. Tuusig dank dir. =)

[@ciuyr2510]

love the animations btw

[@yeeto5o5ifureadthisyourega86]

Love your vids

[@sarahsidney1988]

Very interesting and well made video. Can't wait for the next part!

[@MCorpReview]

Charles%: they r so tough. Someone call Napoleon. Grim reaper: I’m not sure 🤔 how to tell u this...

[@wladyslawderstreiter9078]

Damn, Charles couldnt catch a breath. Kinda feel bad for him.I think his repeated defeats against the swiss confederacy eventually ended up in the disintegration of the burgundyian kingdom. Sad that they kinda vanished from history.

[@chillmaster66]

Well abviously yes. He was killed in his last battle against the swiss and their allies leaving only a daughter behind. Also burgundy wasn't a kingdom. Charles was no king. He was a duke and burgundy a duchy.

[@cjwarrington177]

Hmm. It's an interesting thought experiment to consider how European history might be different if Charles was a more competent military commander.

[@wrednax8594]

Indeed

[@TheTimoejoe]

Sehr schöns video zu mim wohnort :)

[@jhakassindians8565]

Awesome

[@debileZitrone]

Ungefähr 7 Minute ich willn C Spiel mit den Figuren

[@Thraim.]

Boy am I late this time, or what?

[@Leronos]

7:36 in the vid Charls has 230'000 units?

[@user-gu7yo5yn9g]

23000 but an accidental 0 was placed

[@hizkiadoniirawan600]

Please make video about fall of Malacca

[@johnphamlore8073]

I have been thinking that the Burgundian War should mark the beginning of the end of the Middle Ages in Europe. This is the first time in Europe since maybe the end of the Roman Republic that the strength of the nation was equated to the training of the ordinary citizen. From this come all the good ideas of modern civilization.

[@theMOCmaster]

holy crap it continues? After a stackwipe that bad?

[@SapeTuna8]

this makes be proud to be swiss

[@jackbloomer1334]

A good lesson charles was too complacent in the siege

[@mariushunger8755]

Run'em down boys!

[@flyingsquirrel1135]

Charles after seeing a battle map, WHAT THE FRIK IS THIS FRIKING BULL CRAP HE SHOUDL HAVE ROUGHTED AT THE RAMPARTS WHAT THE FRIK IS THIS?

[@LudosErgoSum]

This is the reason why nobody mess with the Swiss when there's a World War going on.

[@kingstar0084]

Your German (Swiss) pronunciation is quite impressive 👍🏻

[@seneca983]

I think he's from Switzerland.

[@noemiekramer7699]

Rainy times, it seems...

[@user-wl6ec2ph1f]

1550 magdeburg battle please.

[@Regami-ru6to]

Vous oublier de dire qu’à la fin Charles le téméraire à été tuer dans un marais au cours d’une ultime bataille et qu’au petit matin ils l’on retrouver déchiquetés par des loups

[@moppypuppy781]

Burgundy is always undone by its own reprehensibility.

[@scaredchalk]

The repeated ineptitude of Charles is frustrating. His moniker should be "Brash" not "Bold"

[@lookwaticando909]

"in the 1470ies" dam fucking right

[@ElBandito]

Hey Charles, ever heard of proper scouting?

[@fellowcat967]

I think that burgandy's army had one 0 to much in the video ;3

[@ge3neva]

7:40 extra zero

[@mohammadtausifrafi8277]

Charles had to be one of the least competent strategists of his age. Am I wrong?

[@settekwan2708]

7:35 You've typed an extra "0"

[@elliottprats1910]

What does the term kettle them in mean?

[@SantomPh]

it means to cram them into a small space and keep them there. It is a common tactic of riot police to avoid fighting with crowds. Eventually people get tired and the kettle squares disperse. In this case the attackers can use pike,projectiles or guns to trap the opponent, who cannot escape without help.

[@apgmk1970]

It's the literal translation of the German "Einkesseln". It means to encircle them.

[@MarkVrankovich]

Did the Swiss Army really walk like that?

[@maximilianbeyer5642]

Yes

[@bwiebertram]

The battle of the pelenore fields in real life

[@JanHans]

Why did he not walk straight towards Bern?

[@menablubb442]

It would be very unwise to have an enemy fort with a full garrison in your back, when you try to lay siege on another fort (Bern). They can easily cut off your supply routes and hit your back when a battle starts.

[@custodialmark]

i try to find proof of my kin. graybeal,graybill,krahenbuehl, bern 1496, documented,but the shield has two gold lions each side of white colum,with gold crown atop. , a previous post said one helped napolean with new gun powder, so i try to find...

[@sangay9361]

Didn’t Charles’ son die at Morat?

[@marcuswandulstein8865]

How to get this map ?

[@noemiekramer7699]

I'm amazed! Is it true that Swiss women fought in battles too?

[@SantomPh]

generally, no. However the Swiss have a strong sense of citizen defense, thus women might have fought when defending.

[@Raadpensionaris]

@@SantomPh Wasn't that normal when a city was besieged? In the 80 years war dutch woman also helped with defending cities for example

[@Neo-gd5jy]

Where the f*ck is Shicksal, Kallen and Otto when we need them?

[@vladdrakul7851]

'Under Siege'? Really?? Well then where the hell is Steven Seagal? Sorry not biting! Where is the cook who stopped the Burgundian's?

[@BeyondEcstasy]

Pointy sticks always win never lose.

[@rhor1882]

Claudius Sieber-Lehman otherwise known as Gabe Newell the white.

[@salgarcia8021]

Nice watch. I offer a comment for the algorithm gods...may they show you favor. 😅

[@clintmoor422]

charles wasn't that smart ey...

[@justme6094]

I mag eu.

[@gabrielvanhauten4169]

When became switzerland a democracy?

[@lucariolps277]

Depends. The old Swiss confederacy wasn't a country necessarily. It was loads of countries that were allied togheter. Basically the EU in small. As such, you had democratic elements in there relatively early. The entire country tho took steps to become a democracy after the fall of the helvetic Republic in 1803. And the right of the citizen to vote on individual policy came in during 1848 with the new constitution after a brief Civil War.

[@SantomPh]

the Federal Assembly began in 1848. The structure is similar to the US where one chamber represents every canton equally and another represents them by proportion of population. What makes it rather unique is that instead of one party or coalition running everything all the leaders of the largest shares become leaders, and Switzerland has 5 Presidents who take charge for a year over a 5 year term.

[@Bird_Dog00]

@@SantomPh Not quite correct. The federal council (Bundesrat) has 7 members. It is the executive branch of our goverment. One of them assumes the title of President of the Confederation for a year. President of the Confederation is a mostly representative position and the President is considert simply primus inter parens (first among equals). Each councilor is the head of one department (kinda like a ministry) of the government (Treasury, Defence, Interior ect.) You are correct about the unique system. Instead of having one party - or a coalition - in charge and an oposition trying to prevent the government from accomplishing anying, all political parties from left to right are expected to work together in the government and find a consensus on all the topics. The people have the political instrument of the Referendum to block any law the government passes from being implemented. 50'000 signatures are needed to force a vote on the law in question. So, in a sense, the people of switzerland are the oposition to the government they themselfes elected.