The late fifteenth century was notable among many other things as the sole point during which the Swiss had a fundamental role in European life. The sheer obstreperousness of the cantons allied to their military skill allowed them to carve out an increasingly independent niche within the Empire. Their spreading territory was partly taken from Habsburg land and one of the ways in which the old Emperors had used to keep the Habsburgs down was turning a blind eye to Swiss behaviour. This was highly unfortunate for the Swiss once the Habsburgs became the Emperors and looked for revenge.
