Petermann Etterlin

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Chronicle's title page

Petermann Etterlin (c. 1430/40 – c. 1509) was born in Lucerne, Switzerland, as the son of Egloff Etterlin, who served as chronicler of the city of Lucerne from 1427 to 1453.^[1] Although his parents had destined him for an ecclesiastical career, Etterlin never became a clergyman.^[1] In 1464, Etterlin was appointed copyist of the city of Lucerne.^[1]

Etterlin’s military career began in 1468 when he joined the army of the Swiss Confederation at the siege of Waldshut.^[1] During a temporary exile from the city of Lucerne, Etterlin participated in the battles of Grandson, Murten and Nancy during the Burgundian Wars (Müller 397). In 1477, he was involved in a campaign against Lorraine.^[1]

After his return to his hometown in 1477, Etterlin was appointed the post of chancellor of the city of Lucerne.^[1] In 1495, after his promotion to the position of chronicler of the city of Lucerne, Etterlin joined the leading French-minded party.^[1] From 1493 to 1501, Etterlin is reported to have made several journeys to France.^[1]

Towards the end of his life, Etterlin embarked upon writing his Chronicle of the Swiss Confederation (German: Kronika von der loblichen Eydtgenossenschaft).^[1] According to Müller, Petermann Etterlin died in Lucerne in 1509, only two years after the completion of his monumental work.^[1]

References[]

• Müller, P. L. “Petermann Etterlin.” Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie 14 (1881): 397–398.

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