Battle of St. Jakob an der Sihl

47°22′25″N 8°31′51″E

Battle of St. Jakob an der Sihl
Part of Old Zürich War
The mayor of Zurich, Rudolf Stüssi, defends the bridge of St. Jakob, near Zurich, against the forces of the Old Swiss Confederacy during the Battle of St. Jakob an der Sihl (Werner Schodoler, 1515)
Date July 22 1443 Location Zurich Result Victory for the Old Swiss Confederacy
Belligerents
Zurich, Holy Roman Empire	Old Swiss Confederacy
Commanders and leaders
Rudolf Stüssi; Albrecht Freiherr von Bussnang	unknown
Strength
unknown	unknown
Casualties and losses
unknown	unknown

18th century etching of the battle's situation

The Battle of St. Jakob an der Sihl was a battle of the Old Zürich War that occurred on July 22 1443, resulting in a defeat for Zürich.

The battle took place outside the gates of Zürich, beyond the Sihl (near the location of the present St. Jakobskirche, Stauffacher-Platz).

According to Zürich chroniclers, Zürich's burgomaster Rudolf Stüssi fell at this battle amongst the defenders of the bridge across the Sihl. Stüssi was covering his troops' retreat when he was killed by a confederate hiding below the bridge.

This account, which emphasizes the burgomaster's bravery, is considered Zürich propaganda by historians. The commander of the Habsburg forces, Albrecht Freiherr von Bussnang, was killed behind the altar of the St. Jakob chapel.

Additional accounts from Zürich chronicles state that the city was saved by the gatekeeper's wife, who was called Anna Ziegler. Ziegler lowered the portcullis of the Rennweg gate just as the pursuing confederates were about to enter the city.

The defeat of Zürich was not decisive, and the war continued until 1450.