Why Swiss Guards???

[Stratosfied]

I am not a Catholic and do not know anything much about the customs/traditions of the church. But..why Swiss guards?? Why is this? I think they look cool and very regal and all that but why Swiss?? Not to hurt any feelings of any Catholics but I just want to know. I seem to think it may be with neutrality, but I am ignorant on this.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

Why not Swiss? They got great knives. Vatican City hasn't had an armed forces since medieval times.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

Ancient politics.<br /><br /> The Swiss Guard

 

[TELMANMN]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

Tradition.

 

[Stratosfied]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

Thanks Ralph!

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

Hey JT - I wouldn't call them unarmed:<br /><br />

After the May 13, 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II by Mehmet Ali Agca, a much stronger emphasis has been made of the Swiss Guards' functional, non-ceremonial roles. This has included extended training in unarmed combat and with issue SIG pistols and Heckler und Koch submachine-guns.<br /><br />Pope Julius II founded the Guard in 1505 to provide a constant core of soldiers to protect the Pope; the Swiss mercenaries were an obvious choice. The official founding date is given as January 21, 1506. The force has varied greatly in size and has even been disbanded. The soldiers' most significant action was on May 6, 1527 when 147 Guards, including their commander, died fighting the forces of Charles V. Since 1859 they have been the only mercenary group permitted under Swiss law.<br /><br />

BTW - There is good evidence that Switzerland was founded by the Templar Knights - basically the Templars were crusading monastic knights answerable only to the Pope. They also became the "bankers" for the European Monarchy.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

Great link Ralph!<br /><br />When visiting the Vatican you will see many 'cerimonial' swiss guards, they are their largely for the tourists but they are trained and do perform behind the scenes duties.<br /><br />By far the group who perform the most 'guarding' is the local police - heavily armed and they take absolutely no s*it - from anyone.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[NathanY]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

Knights Templar

 

[jtexas]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

Originally posted by Ralph:<br /> Hey JT - I wouldn't call them unarmed:<br /><br />

...Since 1859 they have been the only mercenary group permitted under Swiss law.<br /><br />

Should've been more specific, by "Vatican Armed Forces" I meant priests with guns, as opposed to a hired force.<br /><br />But that is some interesting stuff, though, thanks for digging that out. Funny how what goes around comes around. <br /><br /><br />

...fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope....

 

[eeboater]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

Near the entrance of the Basilica you will probably encounter some of the famous Swiss guards. Since 1506 when pope Julius II invited Helvetian soldiers to join the small Vatican army, they have been the guards of the Vatican and the pope in particular. All entrants to the army must be Swiss, catholic and they must take the oath of loyalty to the pope. This oath is taken May 26th, to commemorate the sacking of Rome on the same day in 1527 when Swiss guards protected pope Clement VII during his escape to the Castel Sant'Angelo. Of the 189 guards, only 42 survived.

St. Peter's Basilica, Rome

 

[TELMANMN]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

Check it out.<br /><br /> http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/swiss_guard/swissguard/storia_en.htm

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

cool<br /> nice to see the more things change the more they stay the same.

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

No no no......you guys are all wrong. They use swiss guards because they are like Swiss Cheese.......Holy!<br /><br />Get it?

 

[gaugeguy]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

I was watching the news last night and they were talking about the security at the Vatican. "The Swiss Guards have been in charge of security at the Vatican for centuries...but not today" <br /><br />I got a kick out of that

 

[eeboater]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

Originally posted by SoulWinner:<br /> No no no......you guys are all wrong. They use swiss guards because they are like Swiss Cheese.......Holy!<br /><br />Get it?

HA!!!!

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

They already have holes in them?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

well mostly cause to be such a tiny country to reamain nutral and not conquered several centuries ago they adopted a no surrender policy in their military. like the alamo, they will fight to the last man and have several times. I own a 41 cal swiss verterlli. made by waffenbrek vern in 1878. rim fire king loading system mauser bolt, holds 13 rounds and at 300 yds I can place 3" groups with iron sights. the kill range is about 1000 yds but I dont think I could do it. the weapon is over 20 pounds and has a steel butt plate with spare parts underneath. the swiss may get laughed at like the frogs but no one wishes to tangle with them baby blue helmets. kinda like the queens gurkas.

 

[Frankhanhart]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

right on Rodbolt.....there were times they were all over Europe as mercenaries. Nice tidbit....my uncle dreamed about us Hanharts as maybe from blue-blooded parentage. He tracked the tree down to somewhere 1590 and found that a swiss mercenary had a fling with a spanish washing-woman in the armies of Alva general to Philip the 1st from Spain. Uncle cried for 2 days finding out where were decendants from soldiers and wh*res.

 

[Barlow]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

Why Swiss Guards???

cause they're CHEAP!<br /><br /><br />hey rodbolt ,... you gonna pay taxes to Venezuela or US?? /// <br /><br /><br />Just to let you know..<br /><br />I see whats goin' on with your "SERVICE" ... <br /><br />hope your girlfriend has a few more $$ to last past the first year ... <br /><br />don't take too long for folks to notice <br /><br />nothin like it .... ROFLMFAO <br /><br />yea I'd pay for a GOOD Tarp' trip.. but, have to go for booking with a real AMERICAN.... <br /><br />... not some two-bit-wanna-be <br /><br />[edit addition]..<br /><br />did I 'sugar coat' that too much for you to understand??

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Why Swiss Guards???

Barlow<br /> nice to see you still have no clue <br /> I will pay taxes where and when its legal and no more than I have to . but I will keep my funds in a safe place. sounds like the swiss also have a decent set of banking laws as well. and an account is already there for me . its not that I dont like paying taxes its that I dont feel my tax money or yours is being spent wisely. but I guess if I live in VE i will pay taxes in VE. same as if she moves here she will pay taxes in the US., most likly since I will have funds and property here as well I will get to pay taxes in both countries but only as much as is mandatory. seems now I am up to about 35% of all I bill. and by the way, what was the highest paygrade you attained while in the military ??