Eternal Alliance

The Eternal Alliance is also called Everlasting League or League Of The Three Forest Cantons, in German Ewiger Bund or ''Dreiwaldstätterbund ''

On 1 August 1291 the Eternal Alliance was formed. The Federal Charter was produced and sealed. This inaugural confederation grew through a long series of accessions to modern Switzerland. The Alliance was concluded by representatives from three areas: Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden. It was set up as a leage for defense purposes against any attacker. The death of Rudolf I of Habsburg on 15 July 1291 probably prompted the alliance. Before his death Habsburg attempted to reinforce rights over Schwyz and Unterwalden which meant a succession of military interventions.