The Swiss Regiments in Service to Spain during the Italian Wars (1717-1748)

Abstract

For most of the 18th the Bourbonic army remained its multinational character from the previous century. In fact, a large number of regiments were recruited to the War of Spanish Succession, especially Flemish, Italian and Irish. Although this dynamic continued a long time, during the following years the Bourbons began to recruit Swiss Mercenaries, in detriment of other nations, to Italian campaigns in the War of the Quadruple Alliance (1717-1721), and so meaningful, to Wars of Polish Succession (1733-1738) and Austrian (1740-1748). The Swiss nation has had little presence in the Spanish Military historiography because of the lower numerical relevance with respect to other nations and its lack of projection as a group of power in the Court. Nevertheless, its Italian “time” and its presence as the last mercenary contingent in Bourbonic armies seem significant events. This is the main reason why I look into in this paper the causes, consequences and development of Swiss regiments recruitment in Spain during the 18th century Italian Wars.