Battle on the Planta

The Battle on the Planta, fought on 13 November 1475 around Conthey near Sion, Valais, Switzerland, was part of the Burgundian Wars.

Battle on the Planta
Part of Burgundian Wars
Battle of the Planta by Gerold Edlibach, 1486
Date 13 November 1475 Location Between Conthey and Sion, Valais, Switzerland 46°13′N 7°21′E Result Upper Valais/Swiss Victory
Belligerents
Savoy	Upper Valais Swiss Confederation
Commanders and leaders
	Walter Supersaxo
Location within Canton of Valais Battle on the Planta (Switzerland)

Background

In the 13th and 14th centuries, the Upper Valais (the eastern portion of the valley, higher in the mountains) was colonized by Germans from Hasli in the Canton of Bern. The Upper Valais was loosely allied with the Swiss, especially with Bern. The Lower Valais (the western, lowlands of the valley) were inhabited by French speakers under the power of the Dukes of Savoy. During the early and mid 15th century conflicts between the Upper Valais and Lower Valais often led to fighting. In 1446 Bern and Savoy signed a peace treaty, though border conflicts over the following decades damaged the agreement. In 1473 Duchess Yolande of Savoy embargoed Bern.[1]

The battle

In 1475 Bern invaded Vaud, a Savoy province, and signed an alliance with the Upper Valais on 7 September 1475.[2] With Bernese support the Upper Valais prepared for war. Led by the Bishop of Sion Walter Supersaxo the Upper Valais forces began attacking Savoy holdings. A Savoy counterattack in early November threatened the city of Sion. On 13 November the Bishop's forces together with unexpected reinforcements from Saanen, the Simmental, Fribourg, and Solothurn defeated the Savoy counterattack near Conthey to the west of Sion.[3]

Aftermath

Following the Savoy defeat at the battle, the bishop's army marched west conquering the Lower Valais as far as Saint-Maurice and capturing a total of 17 Savoyard castles.[1] The towns of Conthey and Saint-Maurice were garrisoned by Bern and Fribourg and Savoy was cut off from Italy.[3] In 1477, the bishop annexed much of the Lower Valais, though it was not accepted by Savoy until 1528.[1] The Confederate support strengthened the ties between Valais and the Swiss Confederation.

References

1. Valais in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
2. Burgundian War in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
3. Vaughan, Richard (2002). Charles the Bold: The Last Valois Duke of Burgundy. Boydell Press. p. 364.