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Switzerland Savoy-Piemont
First posted on March 3rd 2004, last revised on December 12th 2013






NARRATIVE . References : Online Secondary Sources . Online Primary Sources . Bibliographic and Print Sources

see also History of Switzerland



Events in the 9th century A.D. result in the Valais to be split in a Germanic (German)-speaking upper valley and a Romance (French)-speaking lower valley. Die Diocese of Sion (Sitten) has been established in 381 AD and covered most of the present-day canton.
By 1300 Wallis / Valais was contested among the Dukes of Savoy, who controlled the lower valley, and the Bishops of Sion / Sitten who controlled the central and upper valley.
Conflicts over feudal rights in Wallis / Valais among feudal lords in the 14th century result in the communities gaining, feudal rights being limited in the upper and central valley. In the late 15th century the Prince-Bishopric of Sion / Sitten conquers most of Lower Wallis / Valais from the House of Savoy.
During the Reformation, Wallis / Valais remains Catholic; the persecution of (perceived) witches was conducted intensively. The conflict between prince-bishop and community over sovereignty ended in the early 17th century with the victory of the latter. Wallis / Valais in 1529 became an ally of Bern.
In 1799 militarily defeated by France, Wallis / Valais was declared an independent republic in 1802. In 1810 Wallis / Valais was annexed by France. In 1815 it became a canton of Switzerland. In 1845 Wallis / Valais joined the Sonderbund, which was dissolved in 1847 after military defeat.








Narrative . References : ONLINE SECONDARY SOURCES . Online Primary Sources . Bibliographic and Print Sources

Country Profiles . Links . Organizations . Accounts of History . Politics . Military History . Economic History . Social History . Ethnography
History of Religion . Regional History . Local History . Institutions . Culture . Biography . Environmental History . Others
Country Profiles Current Article Valais, from Wikipedia
Article Kanton Wallis, from Wikipedia German edition
Article Canton du Valais, from Wikipedia French edition
Canton Valais/Wallis, from Swiss Genealogy on the Internet
Canton de Valais (Wallis), from Genealogie Suisse sur l'Internet
Valais/Wallis, from Etats Non Souverains, in French
Historic Schiner, Description du departement du Simplon ou de la ci-devant Republique du Valais , 1812, in French, GB
Links General Category : Valais, from Wikipedia
Categorie : Canton du Valais, from Wikipedia French edition
on History Kategorie : Geschichte Kanton Wallis, from Wikipedia German edition
Canton Valais/Wallis, from Swiss Genealogy on the Internet
Canton de Valais (Wallis), from Genealogie Suisse sur l'Internet
Organizations Societe d'Histoire du Valais Romand
Association des Musees Valaisannes / Vereinigung der Walliser Museen
Historical Dictionary on Switzerland Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz (in German), Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse (in French), Dizionario storico della Svizzera (in Italian)
a brief historical dictionary in English this site
M. Lutz, Dictionnaire geographique et statistique de la Suisse, 1837, in French, posted on Google Books
H.J. Leu, Allgemeines Eydgenössisches oder Schweitzerisches Lexicon, vol.1 : A, 1747, vol.2 : B-Be, 1748, vol.3 : Be-Bi, 1749, vol.4 : Bi-Ca, 1750, vol.5 : C-D, 1751, vol.6 : D-F, 1752, vol.7 : F, 1753, vol.8 : Ga-Go, 1754, vol.9 : Go-He, 1754, vol.10 : He-K, 1756, vol.11 : K-Le, 1756, vol.12 : Le-Me, 1757, vol.13 : Me-N, 1757, vol.14 : N-R, 1758, vol.15 : R, 1759, vol.16 : Sa-Se, 1760, vol.17 : Se-T, 1762, vol.18 : T, U, V, 1763, vol.19 : W, 1764, vol.20 : X, Y, Z, 1765, in German, posted on Google Books
on Wallis / Valais Encyclopedie de Valais, in French
Timelines Zeittafel, from Schweizer Seiten, in German
Chronologie Valaisanne, from Encyclopedie de Valais, in French
Accounts of History General, Modern Histoire du Canton de Valais, posted by Societe d'Histoire du Valais Romand, in French
Article : Valais : History, from Wikipedia
Article : Geschichte des Wallis, from Wikipedia German edition
Article : Histoire du Valais, from Wikipedia French edition
L'Histoire du Valais, from Encyclopedie de Valais, in French
General, Historical H. Brousoz, Histoire du Valais: dediee a la jeunesse de ce canton, 1859, in French, GB
S. Furrer, Geschichte, Statistik und Urkundensammlung über Wallis vol.1, 1850, vol.2, 1852, GB
Specific Periods M. Barmann, Die Ereignisse im Kanton Wallis, 1844, in German, GB
L. Rilliet-Constant, Une annee de l'histoire du Valais, 1841, in French, GB
L. Rilliet, Le Valais de 1840 a 1844, 1845, in French, GB
Historiography
Politics
Military
Economy & Finances Article Valais Thaler, from Wikipedia
Schweiz : Wallis, from Computatio
Wallis, from Bibliographie zur Geschichte und Kultur des Weines
Gold Occurrence in Switzerland, from Schweizerische Goldwäschervereinigung
Salt Mine of Bex, from Showcaves
Histoire Economique, from Encyclopedie de Valais, in French
Social History
Ethnography
Religion Article : Roman Catholic Diocese of Sion : History, from Wikipedia
Brig, Eischoll, Erschmatt, Herbriggen, Kippel, Leuk, Naters bei Brig, Raron, Reckingen, Sion/Sitten, Sitten, St. Nicklaus, from Passionsspiele im Alpenländischen Raum
Thomas Wipf, Identite Protestante Aujour d'hui
Kanton Wallis, pp.46-48 in Beschreibung aller Manns- und Frauenklöster in der Schweiz, 1839, in German, GB
History of Regions
Local History Articles Sion, Switzerland : History, from Wikipedia
Articles Sion : Geschichte, Leuk : Geschichte, Visp : Geschichte, Brig : Geschichte, from Wikipedia German edition
Articles : Sion : Histoire, Sierre : Histoire, from Wikipedia French edition
Historical Times, from Nendaz
Institutions Structurae : Valais
Culture
Biographies
Environmental History
Others Chr. Heusser, Das Erdbeben im Visperthal, Kanton Wallis vom Jahr 1855, 1856, in German, GB

WEB-BIBLIOGRAPHY . . . EXTERNALLY POSTED PRIMARY SOURCES
Historical Data . Statistical Data . Documents Newspapers . Yearbooks . Image Databanks . Archival Deposits . Laws . Historiography
Document Collections . Historical Maps . Historical Encyclopedia Articles . Travelogues . Institutions . National Symbols
Historical Data Lists of Statesmen World Statesmen : Swiss Cantons S-Z, scroll down for Valais / Wallis
Lists of Bishops Liste der Bischöfe von Sitten, from Wikipedia German edition
Statistical Data Population Figures Historical Population Statistics : Switzerland - Cantons, from Population Statistics, by Jan Lahmeyer
Election Results
Documents Historical Newspapers
Online Yearbooks Staatskalender
Switzerland
Regimentsbuch der XXII Kantone der Schweizerischen Eidgenossenschaft : Kanton Wallis, pp.217-225 in 1828 edition, pp.226-235 in 1829 edition, in German, GB
Staatshandbuch der Schweizerischen Eidgenossenschaft, 1837, BSB
Staatskalender der Schweizerischen Eidgenossenschaft 1856, BSB, 1858, BSB, 1859, BSB, 1860-1861, BSB, 1861-1862, BSB, 1862-1863, BSB, 1863-1864, BSB, 1864-1865, BSB, 1865-1866, BSB, 1866-1867, BSB, 1867-1868, BSB, 1868-1869, BSB, 1869-1870 GB
Die Bundesbehörden der schweizerischen Eidgenossenschaft (current)
Online Yearbooks Staatskalender
Wallis
Annuaire officiel du Valais / Walliser Staatskalender 1834-1995, Swiss Electronic Library
International Allies des Suisses : Vallais entries in J.Ch. Poncelin de la Roche Tilhac, Etat des Cours de l'Europe et des Provinces de France pour l'annee ... vol.1 MDCCCLXXXIV 1783 p.305, vol.2 MDCCCLXXXV, 1785, p.314, in French, GB
Genealogisch-historisch-statistischer Almanach, Canton Wallis, 1830 p.478, 1831 p.483, 1832 p.552, in German, GB
Image Databanks Category : Historical Images of the Canton of Valais, from Wikimedia Commons
Index of Historic Images : Switzerland, from KJA, numerous on Valais
Historische Reisef?rer und Reiseprospekte - Schweiz from Heimatsammlung; search for Leukerbad, Sion, Lötschberg, Jungfrau, Eggishorn, Saas-Fee, Zermatt, St. Moritz; commercial site
Archival Deposits
Constitutions Staatsverfassung der Republik und des Kantons Wallis, pp.297-312 in vol.2 of Verfassungen der Kantone der Schweizerischen Eidgenossenschaft , 1836, in German, GB
Laws Civilgesetzbuch für den Kanton Wallis, 1843, in German, GB
Gesetzbuch über das gerichtliche Verfahren in bürgerlichen Rechtssachen für die Republik und Kanton Wallis, 1825, in German, GB
Code civil de la Republique et Canton du Valais, 1846, in French, GB
Code civil du canton du Valais, 1854, in French, GB
Code de procedure civile de la Republique et Canton du Valais, 1845, in French, GB
Historiography
Document Collections Swissdox; site permitting to download historical Swiss documents; charges fee
S. Furrer, Geschichte, Statistik und Urkundensammlung über Wallis vol.1, 1850, vol.2, 1852, GB
R.L. Herminjard (ed.), Correspondance des reformateurs dans les pays de langue française, vol.1, 1512-1526, 1866, vol.2, 1527-1532, 1868, vol.3, 1533-1536, 1870, GB
Individual Documents
Historical Maps Alps of Valais 1897, Environs of Gr. St. Bernard 1897, Zermatt & Environs 1897, Upper Valais 1897, from Discus Media
Kanton Wallis 1900 (Baedeker), from Hipkiss
Map : Medieval Traffic Routes in Switzerland, Ecclesiastical Administrative Division in Switzerland c.1300, Territorial Development Swiss Confederacy, 1291-1797, Switzerland : Political Structure 1474, Switzerland : Political Structure 1530, Switzerland : Political Structure 1560, Political Structure in the 18th Century, Helvetic Republic 1798 (suggestion in draft to 1st H. constitution), Helvetic Republic 1798/1799 , Helvetic Republic 1801 (const. of Malmaison), Helvetic Republic 1802 (2nd H. constitution), Switzerland 1803-1813, Switzerland 1815-1847, division into cantons, from Wikipedia
Historical
Encyclopedia Entries
General Articles Valais, Brieg, Sion, Zermatt, from EB 1911
Articles Wallis, Brieg/Brig, Leuk, Sion, Visp, Zermatt, from Meyers Konversationslexikon, 4th edition, 1885-1892, in German
Religious Article : Sion (Sitten), Bisthum im Kanton Wallis, pp.193-200 in vol.10 of Wetzer/Welte, Kirchen-Lexikon: oder, Encyklopädie der katholischen Theologie und ihrer Hilfswissenschaften, 1853, in German, GB
Economic Sion, pp.219-220 in vol.4 pt.1 of J.M. Demeunier, Economie politique et diplomatique, 1788, in French, GB
Wallis, Schweizer Canton, p.336 in G.K. Chelius, Mass- und Gewichtsbuch, 1830, in German, GB
Geographical Von dem Regiment der Wallisern, pp.615-621 in J. Simmler et al., Von dem Regiment der loblichen Eydgenossenschaft, zwei Bücher, 1735, in German, GB
Wallis, pp.245-327 in vol.4 of J.C. Faesi, Genaue und vollständige Staats- und Erd-Beschreibung der ganzen Eidgenossschaft, derselben gemeinen Herrschaften und zugewandten Orten, 1768, in German, GB
Der Kanton Wallis, pp.387-390 in G. Hassel, Lehrbuch der Statistik der Europäischen Staaten, 1822, in German, GB
Der Kanton Wallis, pp.247-256 in G. Meyer von Kronau, Abriss der Erdbeschreibung und Staatskunde der Schweiz, 1824, in German, GB
Canton of Valais, pp.578-579 in vol.7 of C. Malte-Brun, Universal Geography, 1829, GB
The Canton of Valais, p.167 in F.H. Ungewitter, Europe, past and present: a comprehensive manual of European geography and history, 1850, GB
Historical Valais, letter U/V pp.7-8 in L. Moreri, Le grand dictionaire historique, 1740, in French, GB
Valais, pp.271-272 in vol.2 of Th. Salmon, Modern history or the present state of all nations, 1745, GB
Wallis, pp.70-73 in Kurze Geschichte der Schweitz zum Gebrauch der Schulen, 1782, in German, GB
Parliamentary Debates
Postal Routes etc. Etat general des postes de France 1812, 1814, in French, GB; search for Sion, Valais etc.
K.Fr. Jahn, Post-Reise-Handbuch, 1833, in German, GB; search for Sitten, Wallis
Search Bradshaw's continental railway, steam transit, and general guide 1853, 1859, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, 1866, GB, for Sion, Valais
Tour Guides J. Murray, The hand-book for travellers in Switzerland and the Alps of Savoy and Piedmont : including the Protestant valleys of the Waldenses, 1811, GB; numerous chapters on Valais
pp.52-106 in Th. Roscoe, The tourist in Switzerland and Italy, 1830, GB
K. Baedeker, Switzerland: with the neighboring lakes of northern Italy, Savoy, and the adjacent districts of Piedmont, Lombardy and the Tyrol, 1863, GB; numerous chapters on Valais
Englishman Abroad, Practical Swiss guide : Red book for Switzerland, the adjoining districts of Savoy, Piedmont, North Italy, the introductory routes from London, etc, 1864, GB; numerous chapters on Valais
J. Ball, A guide to the western Alps, 1866, GB
Canton of Valais, pp.125-161 in Bradshaw's pedestrian route-book for Switzerland, Chamouni, and the Italian Lakes, 1870, GB
Travelogues
Institutions Archives Archives, Chapitre de la Cathedrale de Sion
Service des Archives Cantonales, from Etat du Valais
Musea Wallis, Museum für Geschichte, Sitten, from Walliser Museen; in German
Monuments Kanton Wallis, from Showcaves
Denkmalschutz Historische Militärbauten, from Armasuisse; scroll down for Wallis
Liste von Burgen und Schlössern in der Schweiz : Wallis, from Wikipedia German edition
Libraries
State Symbols Flags, Coats of Arms Flag, from FOTW; Coat of Arms, from International Civic Heraldry
Coins, Banknotes Wallis minted dated coins in 1628, the Bishopric of Sitten 1498-1778 (Numiswiss
Article Valais Thaler, from Wikipedia
R. Stuart Poole, A descriptive catalogue of Swiss coins in the South Kensington Museum, 1878, IA; Sitten pp.359-389, Wallis pp.476-479
Early Dated Coins. An Online Adaptation of the Frey Catalogue of Dated European Coinage before 1501, six coins minted by Sitten
Others Verzeichnis der Totentänze in der Schweiz (Index of the Publicly Accessible Death Dances : Switzerland, from Totentänze Online

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND PRINT SOURCES
Bibliographies . Online Libraries . Thesis Servers . Online Journals . General Accounts . Specific Topics . Historical Dictionaries . Statistical Data . Yearbooks
Bibliographies general
on Wallis/Valais Bibliographie Valaisanne
Schweiz : Wallis, from Computatio
Wallis, from Bibliographie zur Geschichte und Kultur des Weines
Bücher und Schriften welche sich vorzugsweise auf Örtlichkeiten beziehen : Wallis, pp.585-586 in vol.1 of Archiv für schweizerische Reformationsgeschichte, 1869, GB
Online Libraries general Google Books; Internet Archives; Gutenberg Library Online; HathiTrust
on Switzerland Swiss Electronic Library
Helvetic Archives, at the Swiss National Library
Thesis Server Registry of Open Access Repositories, Switzerland
Open Access Theses and Dissertations
Dissertationen-Server Univ. Zurich; links to other Swiss Univ.' Dissertation Servers
Online Journals full text online Directory of Open Access Journals
Swiss Electronic Academic Library Service : Retrodigitized Journals : Sammlung Geschichte und Geographie
Table of Contents
Online
General Accounts
Specific Topics
Historical Dictionaries







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