Executive Summary

The Burgundian War (1474–1477) was a defining moment for the Swiss Confederation, especially for Bern. While the conflict was catalyzed by the ambitions of Charles the Bold of Burgundy, it was the city-state of Bern and its allies that turned regional tensions into a decisive confrontation. This paper examines Bern’s goals, military and diplomatic efforts, and the ways these were helped—or hindered—by other actors including the Swiss Confederates, the Habsburgs, and France.

1. Background

Strategic context: Burgundy under Charles the Bold had become a powerful state straddling France, the Low Countries, and parts of modern-day Switzerland. Its expansion threatened Bern’s security and trading routes. Bern’s position: As one of the most powerful and militarized cities of the Swiss Confederation, Bern saw an opportunity both to defend its frontiers and to expand influence into the Vaud and the Jura.

2. Bernese Goals

Territorial Security and Expansion Defend against Burgundian incursions into Swiss lands. Secure and expand control into the Vaud (then under Savoyard influence allied with Burgundy). Establish long-term dominion over key Alpine trade routes. Strengthening Confederation Prestige Showcase Bern’s military leadership within the Swiss Confederation. Elevate Bern as the leading Swiss power vis-à-vis Zurich and other cantons. Economic Interests Protect Bernese merchants from Burgundian interference. Control routes vital to the wool and salt trades that ran through Burgundy and Savoy.

3. Bernese Efforts in the War

3.1 Military Campaigns

Bern was the first to mobilize against Burgundy, initiating raids into Vaud (1474). Bernese-led armies, reinforced by Confederate allies, captured major towns such as Grandson, Morat, and later advanced into the Jura. The Bernese organized rapid musters of rural levies and coordinated them with professional mercenaries (Reisläufer).

3.2 Diplomacy and Alliances

Bern secured alliances with France and the Holy Roman Empire, ensuring that Charles of Burgundy was strategically encircled. French subsidies financed part of the Swiss campaigns. Bern worked to maintain Confederate unity, persuading hesitant cantons to continue the fight despite war-weariness.

4. External Contributions and Constraints

4.1 Supportive Factors

Swiss Confederates: While Bern took the lead, cantons such as Lucerne and Fribourg contributed troops and logistical support. France: King Louis XI skillfully used Bernese aggression as a tool against Burgundy, providing subsidies and diplomatic cover. Holy Roman Empire: Emperor Frederick III allowed the Swiss to fight Burgundy without interference, indirectly legitimizing their actions.

4.2 Hindrances and Tensions

Confederate Divisions: Some cantons (notably Zurich) were reluctant to fight prolonged campaigns, fearing French overreach. Savoyard Resistance: The Duchy of Savoy resisted Bernese incursions into Vaud, requiring extended campaigns. Dependence on French Funds: Reliance on French subsidies meant Bern risked becoming entangled in French strategic designs.

5. Outcomes for Bern

Military Success: The victories at Grandson (1476) and Morat (1476) crushed Charles the Bold’s armies, securing Bern’s frontiers. Territorial Gains: Bern effectively annexed much of the Vaud, although it faced resistance from Savoy and periodic disputes within the Confederation. Political Prestige: Bern emerged as the undisputed military leader of the Confederation, setting a precedent for future Swiss interventions. Strategic Vulnerability: Dependence on foreign subsidies and internal divisions limited Bern’s ability to fully consolidate its gains.

6. Assessment

Bern’s leadership during the Burgundian War demonstrates the city’s ability to translate local security concerns into a successful campaign of territorial expansion and political elevation. Yet Bern’s achievements were possible only through a delicate balance of Confederate cooperation and French patronage. Its goals were partially hindered by internal divisions and the complexity of managing conquered lands, but overall the war marked the consolidation of Bern as a hegemon within the Swiss Confederation.

7. Conclusion

The Burgundian War illustrates how Bern used both opportunity and threat to advance its strategic interests. By harnessing Confederate manpower and external alliances, Bern transformed the Burgundian challenge into a lasting triumph. However, the very reliance on allies that enabled success also planted the seeds of future geopolitical constraints. The case of Bern during this war underscores the dual nature of coalition warfare: it multiplies strength but diffuses autonomy.