Swiss Confederation
The Old Swiss Confederacy of the cantons and their allies, such as Bern, Fribourg and Zurich, and the Swiss state that grew from it.
Category: States/Places
- 1516Erasmus publishes the first Greek New Testament on sale
In 1516 Desiderius Erasmus's Novum Instrumentum, with the Greek text beside his own Latin, is printed by Johann Froben in Basel. Its Greek became the basis of the Textus Receptus used by Luther and the King James Bible.
- 1519Savoy crushes Geneva's pro-Swiss party and executes Philibert Berthelier
In 1519 Geneva's council seeks an alliance with Fribourg. Charles III of Savoy invades, Philibert Berthelier, leader of the pro-Swiss Eidguenots, is executed and the council's powers are suspended.
- January 29, 1523Zurich's council backs Zwingli after the First Zurich Disputation
On 29 January 1523 Zurich's council lets Huldrych Zwingli keep preaching and rules that preachers must teach only what Scripture supports. In 1525 his new communion service replaces the Mass.
- February 20, 1526Geneva allies with Bern and Fribourg against Savoy
On 20 February 1526 Geneva signs a treaty of alliance with the Swiss cities of Bern and Fribourg, breaking from Savoyard rule. The Council of Two Hundred is also created that year.
- October 1, 1529 – October 4, 1529Luther and Zwingli fail to agree on the Eucharist at the Marburg Colloquy
Philip of Hesse hosts Luther, Zwingli, Melanchthon, Oecolampadius and Bucer at Marburg Castle on 1–4 October 1529. They agree on fourteen of fifteen points but not on Christ's presence in the Eucharist, so the Protestants stay divided.
- January 22, 1536Bern invades Savoy's Vaud and lifts the threat to Geneva
On 22 January 1536 Hans Franz Nägeli leads about 6,000 Bernese into Savoy's barony of Vaud, in part to protect Geneva. Bern takes Vaud and Lausanne but lets Geneva keep its independence.
- 1584Geneva seals an "eternal" alliance with Bern and Zurich
In 1584 Geneva strengthens its ties to the Protestant Swiss cities of Bern and Zurich through an "eternal treaty", giving the city allies against renewed pressure from the dukes of Savoy.
- October 24, 1648The Empire recognises Swiss independence
On 24 October 1648 Westphalia grants the Swiss Confederation legal independence from the Holy Roman Empire. Basel's mayor Johann Rudolf Wettstein, accredited in 1647, had lobbied for it at Münster.
- 1814 – 1815Geneva joins the Swiss Confederation as a canton
After the French leave at the end of 1813 and Geneva's independence is restored, the Congress of Vienna admits it to the Swiss Confederation as a canton in 1814–1815.