Bern's victory at Laupen secured its regional dominance and led directly to its 1353 accession to the Swiss Confederacy.
Key Facts
- Date
- 29 June 1339
- Victor
- Bern and its allies
- Bern's accession to Confederacy
- 1353
- First documented use of white cross
- As a field sign by Swiss combatants
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Tensions between Bern and neighboring feudal powers, including Freiburg and landholders from the County of Burgundy and Habsburg territories, created competition for regional influence in the mid-14th century. These rivalries over territory and power in the region escalated into open armed conflict.
On 29 June 1339, Bern and its allies met a coalition of Freiburg and feudal lords from Burgundy and Habsburg lands in battle near Laupen. Bern emerged victorious, demonstrating its military strength and consolidating its hold over the surrounding region. The battle also marks the first documented use of the white cross as a field sign by Swiss combatants.
Bern's victory strengthened its ties with the Swiss Confederacy, culminating in its permanent accession in 1353. The battle established Bern as a significant power in the region and contributed to the broader formation of a cohesive Swiss political identity.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent