Swiss Guards
The Swiss Guards (French: Le Gardes suisses) were regiments of Swiss mercenaries hired to protect the French royal family and their places of residence. Highly sought after throughout Europe, these Swiss warriors were considered to be "good, obedient and ferocious soldiers".[1]
History
Originally established as the Swiss Hundred Guard (Cent Suisses) in 1480,[2] they were regularly stationed in Paris. By the middle of the 18th century, a group of around 10 soldiers was also tasked with maintaining order and arresting lawbreakers at the Champs-Élysées.[1]
A particularly notable episode for the Swiss Guards occured during the French Revolution: the massacre at the Tuileries Palace.[1] After the revolutionaries petitioned once again for King Louis XVI to be deposed in 6 August 1792, the King instead of stepping down, strengthened his positions at the Tuileries Palace from 2,000 to 3,000 men, mainly Swiss Guards.[3] The guards were still badly outnumbered[4] and were overwhelmed once the fighting started, being massacred almost to a man.[3] The few that escaped were killed on the streets.[5] Swiss Guards also featured among the so-called "enemies of liberty", the main targets during the September Massacres.[6]
Appearances
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Assassin's Creed: Unity – Database: Swiss Guard
- ↑
Swiss Guards on Wikipedia
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Assassin's Creed: Unity – Database: 10 August
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Unity – The King's Correspondence
- ↑ Project Widow – Bloodbath at Tuileries
- ↑ Project Widow – September Massacres