Chronicon Helveticum

work by Tschudi

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June 24, 2026

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The Chronicon Helveticum is a significant "Swiss Chronicle" written by Gilg Tschudi, a Swiss humanist and scholar. This work covers Swiss history from 1000 to 1470 and was published posthumously in two volumes in 1734–36.1

Tschudi incorporated many collected documents into his chronicle, but also fabricated some in an effort to create a comprehensive chronology. While it served as a leading authority until the 19th century, much of its content was later found to be spurious, impacting Tschudi's reputation as a historian. Despite this, the literary merit of his work is still recognized.1

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Gilg Tschudi
…importance rests especially on the Chronicon Helveticum, 2 vol. (1734–36), a “Swiss Chronicle” covering the years 1000–1470. Many assiduously collected documents were incorporated in it; others were fabricated, in an attempt to give a coherent and comprehensive chronology. His chronicle was the leading authority until the 19th century, when much…
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…importance rests especially on the Chronicon Helveticum, 2 vol. (1734–36), a “Swiss Chronicle” covering the years 1000–1470. Many assiduously collected documents were incorporated in it; others were fabricated, in an attempt to give a coherent and comprehensive chronology. His chronicle was the leading authority until the 19th century, when much…
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William Tell
…the legend appears in the Chronicon Helveticum (1734–36), by Gilg Tschudi, which gives November 1307 as the date of Tell’s deeds and New Year 1308 as the date of Switzerland’s liberation. There is no evidence, however, for the existence of Tell; but the story of the marksman’s test is widely…
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…the legend appears in the Chronicon Helveticum (1734–36), by Gilg Tschudi, which gives November 1307 as the date of Tell’s deeds and New Year 1308 as the date of Switzerland’s liberation. There is no evidence, however, for the existence of Tell; but the story of the marksman’s test is widely…
Read More