1889 Luzern
Actual 42 mm size by Anton Schnyder, Luzern
Obverse.
There they stood, the three oath takers, noble in bearing, customarily attired in their traditional cantonal tunics.
Exhibiting their mutual respect towards one another, together in unison they raised their right hand to the heavens, with their index finger and middle finger extended upwards, and the last two digits curled downwards against the palm, and finally the thumb shown slightly curled.
This distinctive oath-taking gesture will henceforth be known as the famed “Schwurhand”.
They are the valiant leaders of their respective cantons, three Landamänners (canton chiefs), namely Walter Fürst of Uri, Werner Stauffacher of Schwyz, and Arnold von Melchtal of Unterwalden.
Revered forever as the venerable “Three Tells’, the legendary founding fathers of the Old Swiss Confederacy.
This gathering of prominent persons was held at Rütli, a calm and picturesque setting of verdant meadows above lake Uri near Seelisberg. With this sworn pledge made of everlasting brotherhood, unity and freedom, this unwavering bond would forever be celebrated in its greatness as the infamous “Rütlischwur Oath”
In the distance yonder, across the serene lake Uri, stands the ancient mountain summit Rigi Hochflue, the peaceful spectator of this most momentous chronicle of these glorious lands.
Inscriptions.
WIR WOLLEN SEIN EIN EINZIG VOLK VON BRÜDERN, IN KEINER NOTH UNS TRENNEN & GEFAHR – WIR WOLLEN FREI SEIN, WEI DIE VÄTER, EHER DEN TOD, ALS IN DER KNECHTSCHAFT LEBEN
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We want to be a single people of brethren, never to part in danger or distress -
We want to be free as our fathers were, and rather die than live in slavery
Reverse.
In the center, the prominent and glorious Swiss Cross emanates stylized rays of independence and liberty, the cherished values of one united Confederacy.
The champions’ wreath of flora laurels and oaken branches decorated over the entirety of the circumference, along with the seven blazons of the seven central cantons - namely the rural communes of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden, which are the founding members, along with Lucerne, Berne, Zug and Aargau.
Background.
The Rütlischwur the legendary oath taken at the foundation of the Old Swiss Confederacy by the representatives of the three founding forest cantons, Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden, traditionally dated to 1307. It is named for the site of the oath-taking, the Rütli, a meadow above Lake Uri near Seelisberg.
This oath of the mentioned three representatives namely Walter Fürst of Uri, Werner Stauffacher of Schwyz and Arnold von Melchtal of Unterwalden, took place in Walter Fürst's house in Altdorf and basically consists of a promise to meet again on 1 August on the Rütli meadow and to bring with them leading and brave men of the three cantons to decide upon a common action plan.
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Rütlischwur German wording (Final sentence) |
Approximate English translation |
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We want to trust in the one highest God |
The founding fathers of the three oath takers or Eidgenossen during the 16th century became also known as "the Three Tells".
In memory of the legendary Rütlischwur Oath by founding leaders of the three Forest Cantons - Schwyz, Uri and Unterwalden, who brought about the birth of the Old Suisse Confederacy.