Is there any way plausible way that there could’ve been a Swiss monarchy starting from at least the 13th century? I’m half Swiss and interested in monarchy so I’ve always thought about Switzerland having a monarchy. Is it more plausible that the area we know as Switzerland could’ve united to form a duchy or an elective monarchial kingdom similar to that of the Scandinavian kingdoms? Is it possible that a Swiss monarchy could’ve lasted until at least the 1700s? How would they have stood against the European powers at the time? Would it have culturally resembled the Habsburgs, France or Italian duchies? Its interesting for me to speculate.
Surviving Swiss monarchy?
- Thread starter Belgian Waffles
- Start date
Technically the area of present-day Switzerland, was none other than the original place of the Habsburgs ( to be precise in the Aargau ) , which is why the dynasty undertook numerous wars against the confederation, it was trying to submit the cities to its control ( after the latter had rebelled several times with the support of the opponents of the Habsburgs ) and at the same time defend its original possessions in the area, therefore it is not unthinkable that the possible rulers of Switzerland/Swabia are them or the Zähringen ( also with important local possessions ) for the rest, considering the region involved, I cannot exclude that it is still a cultural mix ( being a perfect crossroads between Germany, Italy and royal Burgundy, as well as containing some of the most important Alpine passes to reach Italy ) with German being slightly ahead of the other languages, with Italian or a local Romance language ( which could be formed from the union of Romansh, Ladin, Italic dialects, Moselle Romance, and "French" dialects ) coming close behind
Something which would have strengthened the position of the Habsburgs in the HRE even more, given that the majority of the routes to Italy ( and therefore to Rome ) are under their full control, enriching them thanks to the immense commercial exchanges or in negotiations with the Emperor of the moment ( in case the title was not firmly in Habsburg hands, as it could have been in the 14th century in Otl ), making them pay dearly for their possible assistance in his military campaigns in the peninsula, which in turn could also mean greater imperial influence in northern Italy ( due to the ease of sending troops locally and the proximity of the Caesar court )
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Since the confederation aka the cantons displayed strong desire to preserve the local autonomy of all parties against the Habsburgs, is it more likely that a complete nobody, possibly a wealthy Swiss noble family like that Candias, Capols or Orons could’ve proposed themselves as rulers. How much power they would’ve had idk since Switzerland consisted of independent states but we can gloss over it and pretend they don’t mind as long as the ruler is neutral? Perhaps Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen could’ve been a possible ruler or a surviving child of his with Clementina of Auxonne. I’m assuming that resisting and surviving without Habsburg influence might mean wars or intermarriages to maintain peace.
Now if we consider that in Otl the Habsburgs "wasted" an important part of their resources in Switzerland ( from 1270 until 1499 ) in order to recover the lost power in the region, we can imagine that in this scenario, this extra surplus could be redirected elsewhere ( perhaps in Italy, Bavaria and Bohemia, regions considered fundamental to further consolidate the dynastic and imperial aspirations of the house ) without forgetting the control of the region where the Rhine and the Danube almost meet ( I do not rule out yet another attempt to build the famous communication channel between the two rivers ) to facilitate local economic growth
Actually this is also a good plan, then the Baden dynasty could also have a chance to aspire to become the local hegemon to the detriment of its neighbors, but perhaps I could have a better idea, that is, a surviving Staufen dynasty ( perhaps a Henry Berengar with descendants ( he had to marry a niece of Manuel I ) or we see a development very similar to Otl, except in the decision to voluntarily keep the crowns of Sicily and the HRE separate ) so as to be able to concentrate on the development of the duchy of Swabia in relative " tranquility " compared to Otl, although it should be remembered that I don't see this hypothetical dynasty boasting the title of Rex Helveticus, rather it would try to aim for the Imperial Crown or the role of Prince Elector
I also thought of the House of Savoy, but it would only be possible if the eponymous region was part of the Confederation.
A Fork in the Road: The Swiss Peasant War of 1653 and the Birth of a Patrician Monarchy
The annals of Swiss history record a pivotal moment in 1653, the Peasant War. While ultimately a failed rebellion, its reverberations reshaped the political landscape in a most unexpected manner. Unlike other European uprisings where the nobility yielded ground, the Swiss revolt served as a catalyst for the consolidation of power by the urban patrician and bourgeois families.
Driven by economic hardship and a devaluation of currency, the peasantry rose in defiance. However, their grievances fell on deaf ears. The urban elites, fearing the specter of social upheaval, rallied against the insurgents. This unexpected alliance cemented the power of the patricians and bourgeois. With the peasantry subdued, they tightened their grip on the Diet, the federal assembly.
Initially, the Diet functioned much as it had before. Representatives from each canton – typically drawn from the dominant patrician families – assembled to discuss matters of common concern. However, a subtle evolution began. A rotating system emerged, where each cantonal representative held a position of primacy for a set period before yielding the floor to another. This "primus inter pares" arrangement fostered a sense of shared responsibility and national unity.
As Switzerland navigated the increasingly complex world of international politics, the need for a more centralized authority became apparent. The challenges of diplomacy and interstate relations demanded a stronger hand than the traditional Diet could provide. Recognizing this, the astute patricians devised a novel solution, drawing inspiration from the elective monarchies of neighboring states.
During each session of the Diet, a High Representative would be chosen. This selection process, however, evolved beyond the initial blend of secret ballots and sortition. Over time, the position of High Representative transitioned from a temporary leadership role to a more permanent one, wielding significant executive power. The title itself morphed into "High President," a moniker reflecting the continued emphasis on a confederate structure.
However, the true innovation lay in the hereditary aspect. Recognizing the benefits of stability and continuity, the patricians established a system where the eldest sons of the previous Presidents would be considered strong candidates for the next election.
While not an absolute monarchy, powerful lineages began to take root within the most prominent patrician families. This hereditary element, coupled with the prestige and influence associated with the office, ensured a de facto, if not de jure, shift towards a patrician elective monarchy.
The system retained elements of its federal roots, with cantonal representation still present, but ultimate power resided with the former Presidents and their few family lines.
This unforeseen outcome of the Peasant War of 1653 stands as a testament to the adaptability of the Swiss political system. Though born out of conflict, a unique form of federal governance emerged, one where power remained firmly in the hands of the urban elite, but now concentrated within a few, powerful family lineages. The seeds of this alternative Swiss state were sown in the ashes of rebellion, forever altering the course of the nation's history
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