![The battle at Schwaderloh on April 11, 1499 (detail).](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/schwaderloh-schwabenkrieg-titel-300x225.jpg)
Showdown with the Habsburgs
In the Swabian War of 1499, the Old Swiss Confederation fought against Habsburg Austria and the Swabian League. The cruel and devastating victory of the Swiss underscored their independence within the Holy Roman Empire.
![Area and sites of the Swabian War](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/karte-schwabenkrieg-en-300x159.jpg)
Prelude, Provocation & International Tensions
![Emperor Maximilian I, 1519, painted by Albrecht Dürer. On the right, the enlarged coat of arms.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/kaiser-maximilian-i-1519-albrecht-durer-300x225.jpg)
![Swabian nobles ride to found the Swabian League.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/schwabische-adlige-reiten-zur-bundesgrundung-codices-kol-s0023-2-325-182x300.jpg)
When they start out to war they swear a solemn oath that every man who sees one of his comrades desert, or act the coward in battle, will cut him down on the spot, for they believe that the courage and persistence of warriors is greater when they, out of fear of death, do not fear death…
Short War & Swiss Victories
![Troops of Lucerne, Bern and Solothurn beat an Austrian unit at Bruderholz near Basel.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/bruderholz-schwabenkrieg-e-codices-kol-s0023-2-362-300x260.jpg)
![Like Maienfeld in this illustration, many towns in Graubünden, especially those in the Upper Engadine, were destroyed at the hands of the Austrians during the war.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/Maienfeld-Schwabenkrieg-e-codices_kol-S0023-2_357-300x274.jpg)
…In the capture of prisoners there is more humanity to be found among Turks and Bohemians than among the Swiss.
![The warfare of the Swiss was cruel. The troops had to swear not to take prisoners. After the battle at Constance, women and clergy collect the bodies of Constance's citizens on the battlefield.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/Konstanz-Schwabenkrieg-e-codices_kol-S0023-2_371-300x268.jpg)
Peace of Basel and Legacy
![Negotiations for the Treaty of Basel, 1499.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/freide-von-basel-schwabenkrieg-e-codices-kol-s0023-2-408-219x300.jpg)
![Equestrian flag of the Count von Sonnenberg, booty from the Swabian War.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/reiterfahne-des-grafen-von-sonnenberg-dig-44432-kz-5725-252x300.jpg)
![Shield for swordsmen, probably another piece of booty from the Swabian War.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/schild-fur-schwertfechter-dig-2345-kz-389-241x300.jpg)
Parts of the booty from the Swabian War can now be found in the collection of the Swiss National Museum, such as an equestrian flag of Count von Sonnenberg and a shield for swordsmen. Swiss National Museum