The first three cantons (one of which Schwyz with the iconic Swiss flag as its flag) gained independence from the HRE on August 1st, 1291 the last crusade ended that same year. We Swiss have the story of Wilhelm Tell who was an expert marksman and in myth the reason for independence. I think he was possibly a Templar Knight. Also, Friedrich Barbarossa was a Templar and was duke of Swabia (the territory Switzerland was a part of) from 1147-1190 |