Swiss Guards are Swiss soldiers who have served as guards at foreign European courts since the late 15th century.
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10 Facts About Swiss Guards
2.
The modern Papal Swiss Guards Guard serves as both a ceremonial unit and a bodyguard.
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3.
Hundred Swiss Guards were created in 1480 when Louis XI retained a Swiss Guards company for his personal guard.
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4.
The Hundred Swiss shared indoor guard duties with the King's Bodyguards, who were French.
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5.
Hundred Swiss Guards were armed with halberds, the blade of which carried the Royal arms in gold, as well as gold-hilted swords.
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6.
The Hundred Swiss Guards accompanied Louis XVIII into exile in Belgium the following year and returned with him to Paris following the Battle of Waterloo.
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7.
The line regiments had black, yellow or light blue facings but the Swiss Guards were distinguished by dark blue lapels and cuffs edged in white embroidery.
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8.
One group of sixty Swiss Guards were taken prisoner and taken to the Paris City Hall before being killed by the crowd there.
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9.
Rather, the Swiss Guards ran low on ammunition and were overwhelmed by superior numbers when fighting broke out spontaneously after the royal family were escorted from the palace to take refuge with the National Assembly.
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10.
The Papal Swiss Guards Guard, reflecting the unique political status of the Vatican and the bodyguard-like role of the unit, remains an exception to this prohibition.
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