The History of Peter Hagenbach and the Burgundian Wars
This rhyming chronicle narrating the Burgundian Wars and the story of Peter von Hagenbach in particular was written by Konrad Pfettisheim and printed in Strasbourg by Heinrich Knoblochtzer in 1477. The work is illustrated by eight full-page colored woodcuts, seven of which were borrowed from the Burgundische Historie by Hans Erhart Tüsch, which was published in Strasbourg in the same year, probably by the same printer. At the center of the chronicle is the story of Peter von Hagenbach, an Alsatian knight, military captain, and bailiff in the service of Duke Charles the Bold of Burgundy, a great enemy of the Swiss who tried to carve out a new kingdom between France and the Holy Roman Empire. Hagenbach is also credited with coining the term Landsknecht to differentiate between Swiss mercenaries and infantry soldiers from the Holy Roman Empire who used similar tactics. He was executed in 1474 for atrocities he and his troops committed during his occupation of Breisach including murder, rape, and perjury, making him the first commander held responsible for war crimes that "he as a knight was deemed to have a duty to prevent."
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Geschichte Peter Hagenbachs und der Burgunderkriege
- Size / Format
- 22 pages / 28.5 × 20.5 cm
- Origin
- France
- Date
- 1477
- Epochs
- Style
- Language
- Illustrations
- 8 full-page colored woodcuts
- Artist / School
- Author: Konrad Pfettisheim
- Previous Owners
- Donaueschingen Court Library
The History of Peter Hagenbach and the Burgundian Wars
Foot Soldier Killing a Knight
During the Late Middle Ages, the supremacy of heavily armored knights on horseback was challenged by infantry tactics using tightly packed phalanxes supported by archers. Swiss mercenaries, also known as Reisläufer, distinguished themselves as the premiere infantry force and were hired by virtually every power in Continental Europe. Here we see an unarmored foot soldier killing a knight who has been knocked off his horse by stabbing him in the neck through a gap in his suit of armor.

The History of Peter Hagenbach and the Burgundian Wars
Execution of Peter von Hagenbach
Kneeling blindfolded with his hands bound as a crowd looks on, Peter von Hagenbach waits for the blow of the executioner’s sword to deliver him to God’s judgement. He was executed in 1474 for atrocities he and his troops committed during his occupation of Breisach including murder, rape, and perjury. His violent and tyrannous behavior contributed to the outbreak of the Burgundian Wars.
This was one of the first trials in history based upon the principle of command responsibility and von Hagenbach argued that he was only following orders from the Duke of Burgundy. He is also credited with coining the term Landsknecht to differentiate between Swiss mercenaries and infantry soldiers from the Holy Roman Empire who used similar tactics.

#1 Geschichte Peter Hagenbachs und der Burgunderkriege
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