I always wondered why they had Swiss and not Italian guards.
I know the kings of France at one time had Scottish guards. I think other Kings had guards from other countries too.
Maybe from the memory of the praetorian guards killing the emperor so they wanted guards who had no personal axe to grind or use for that matter.
Who would you rather have fighting on your behalf?
Swiss pikeman mercenaries were legendary heavy infantry hundreds of years ago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_mercenaries
The Swiss used to be famous as mercenaries.
The Swiss Guard is the Seal Team 6 of Guarding. Its always been that way.
> guards from other countries too
i suspect this has to do with it..