Chronicon Helveticum
Encyclopedia
The Chronicon Helveticum (Latin: ‘Swiss Chronicle’) is one of the oldest accounts of the early history of the Swiss Confederation.
The rough draft of the Chronicon Helveticum was written by the historian Aegidius Tschudi
from Glarus
in 1550. Although Tschudi seems to have made the last revisions to his Chronicon Helveticum between 1569 and 1570, his monumental work did not appear in printed form until Johann Rudolf Iselin published a two-volume edition of the chronicle in 1734. To Iselin, we furthermore owe the title Chronicon Helveticum.
Tschudi’s Chronicon Helveticum plays an important part in the historiography of Switzerland
, since it contains copies of about 50 documents which have not survived in any other form. In terms of content, Tschudi is particularly interested in representing the long-established independence of the Swiss population. Furthermore, Tschudi makes mention of the struggle between empire and papacy
, the crusades
as well as of a large number of issues concerning Swiss cities, dioceses and monasteries.
Furthermore, Tschudi’s Chronicon Helveticum contains much valuable material for the study of the William Tell
legend.
It is probably due to these circumstances that Tschudi’s Chronicon Helveticum became a model for later writers dealing with William Tell. Not only did Tschudi’s chronicle become the major source for Johannes von Müller
’s History of the Swiss Confederation (German: Geschichten Schweizerischer Eidgenossenschaft), it also served as a model for Friedrich Schiller
’s play William Tell.
The rough draft of the Chronicon Helveticum was written by the historian Aegidius Tschudi
Aegidius Tschudi
Aegidius Tschudi was an eminent member of the Tschudi family, of Glarus, Switzerland....
from Glarus
Glarus
Glarus is the capital of the Canton of Glarus in Switzerland. Glarus municipality since 1 January 2011 incorporates the former municipalities of Ennenda, Netstal and Riedern....
in 1550. Although Tschudi seems to have made the last revisions to his Chronicon Helveticum between 1569 and 1570, his monumental work did not appear in printed form until Johann Rudolf Iselin published a two-volume edition of the chronicle in 1734. To Iselin, we furthermore owe the title Chronicon Helveticum.
Tschudi’s Chronicon Helveticum plays an important part in the historiography of Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, since it contains copies of about 50 documents which have not survived in any other form. In terms of content, Tschudi is particularly interested in representing the long-established independence of the Swiss population. Furthermore, Tschudi makes mention of the struggle between empire and papacy
Investiture Controversy
The Investiture Controversy or Investiture Contest was the most significant conflict between Church and state in medieval Europe. In the 11th and 12th centuries, a series of Popes challenged the authority of European monarchies over control of appointments, or investitures, of church officials such...
, the crusades
Crusades
The Crusades were a series of religious wars, blessed by the Pope and the Catholic Church with the main goal of restoring Christian access to the holy places in and near Jerusalem...
as well as of a large number of issues concerning Swiss cities, dioceses and monasteries.
Furthermore, Tschudi’s Chronicon Helveticum contains much valuable material for the study of the William Tell
William Tell
William Tell is a folk hero of Switzerland. His legend is recorded in a late 15th century Swiss chronicle....
legend.
It is probably due to these circumstances that Tschudi’s Chronicon Helveticum became a model for later writers dealing with William Tell. Not only did Tschudi’s chronicle become the major source for Johannes von Müller
Johannes von Müller
Johannes von Müller was a Swiss historian.-Biography:He was born at Schaffhausen, where his father was a clergyman and rector of the gymnasium. In his youth, his maternal grandfather, Johannes Schoop , roused in him an interest in the history of his country...
’s History of the Swiss Confederation (German: Geschichten Schweizerischer Eidgenossenschaft), it also served as a model for Friedrich Schiller
Friedrich Schiller
Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller was a German poet, philosopher, historian, and playwright. During the last seventeen years of his life , Schiller struck up a productive, if complicated, friendship with already famous and influential Johann Wolfgang von Goethe...
’s play William Tell.