The Pontificial Swiss Guard

Back-cover text · English translation
Times are growing ever more turbulent, and Pope Julius II knows that with each passing day more heretics rise in rebellion against Holy Church. He can no longer rely on the aid of any emperor, king or duke. Today's ally may tomorrow become a bitter enemy of the faith.
To whom will he turn if his most feared enemies stand at the gates of Rome and demand the surrender of its people? The papal city is no ordinary state. It has no citizenship as such, nor an army of its own to defend it against external foes... Until now.
It is the sixteenth century, and struggles for power have made the art of war a profitable business for a large population with too few resources to sustain and feed its people. They have no king, nor do they need one.
The Swiss Confederation must play its cards with great care. Neutrality above all, if it is to survive.
Jürg is tormented by a dark secret. He must pay for his wrongdoing until the last day of his life. To ease his guilt and find a measure of peace, he has forsaken his fortune and comfortable life to take holy orders, providing food and a little education for the poor, as well as spiritual guidance to those who are impoverished in spirit.
Among those in need are two ordinary young people: Urs, from a family of dairy farmers and cheesemakers, and Regula, a servant in Jürg's mother's household. Among the wealthy is Reto, the son of a prosperous merchant family. His future has already been decided for him, but he dreams of travelling and joining the Swiss Guard.
His pupils progress far beyond their master's expectations. And before Jürg knows it, they have learnt to fly... without him.
All of them will leave central Switzerland to fulfil His Holiness's wish: to establish a Pontifical Guard of his own.