Battle of Sempach: Swiss pikemen kill Leopold III
July 1386
Habsburg Duke Leopold III led another invasion of the Swiss cantons and met them in a narrow Alpine plain. Confederate halberdiers tore through dismounted knights in close combat. Leopold himself was killed. The legend of Arnold Winkelried throwing himself onto Habsburg pikes was attached to this battle. The cantons survived and expanded their confederation.
In context
Also in 1386 (3 other events on record)
- Jagiellon dynasty unites Poland and Lithuania · Europe · Politics
- Chaucer begins the Canterbury Tales · Europe · Culture
- Milan Cathedral begun · Europe · Culture
Before and after in Europe
Before and after in War
Era
Late Middle Ages (1301–1500), one of 874 events from that era on Saeculum.
Sources