Saubannerzug

Historically

The Saubannerzug, also Kolbenbannerzug or train of torechten life was the military company of a band of volunteers who in 1477 began to move during Shrovetide from Central Switzerland to western Switzerland and Geneva. The aim of the Saubannerzuges was from Geneva, which then belonged to Burgundy to collect in the Burgundian Wars promised, but not yet paid fire treasure sum.

In the Company dated torechten life gathered Uri and Schwyz soldiers ( mercenaries ) who were dissatisfied with the loot after defeating the Confederates at the Battle of Nancy. The Saubannerzug joined participants from other Swiss towns. Its strength is estimated at 1,700 men. The banner of the train was on a blue background a wild boar ( " sows " Falconry for wild boar ) and a mace.

On their march the Saubannerzügler assumed a threatening attitude against cities that belonged to the confederation. The Bernese Chronicle notes, "that in the torechtigen live with a paner mind what a piston and ouch gemolet a boar, with large criminal and unseemly conditions Burgdorf kament ". The hordes caused the councils of the cities of Bern, Zurich and Lucerne big headache because they were in negotiations with Savoy and France. Geneva had to undertake to pay the Confederates from the still owed 24,000 guilders third immediately; for the remaining two-thirds hostages were asked. Moreover Geneva had to pay two florins as compensation and offer a drink every Zugteilnehmer. With these concessions the train on March 4 could be stopped before he reached his goal.

Gottfried Keller can take the hero of his novel Dietegen on the train torechten life.

Modern word usage

Today in the Swiss press, the word is often Saubannerzug vandalistischer riots used for characterization. But even at the Zurich Sechseläutenplatz one speaks in guild circles of Saubannerzügen; meant are so informal (not organized by the Central Committee of the guilds of Zürich ) visits most recent guilds in another guild.