Die Stadt von Zürich Fahnlein (Zünft des Käseherstellers Rotte) is a re-created company of Swiss Reisläufers (mercenary soldiers) from the city of Zurich, in north-west Switzerland. The native term Reisläufer literally means "one who goes to war" and is derived from Middle High German Reise meaning "military campaign."
Swiss companies were organized either locally by village or by trade guild in the cities. Guildsmen were expected to provide their own weapons and armor, although they would be reimbursed for equipment damaged or lost while on campaign.
Although the majority of Swiss companies were formed around pikemen and halberdiers, about one tenth were armed with crossbows. These formed the armbrustschützen fahnlein (literally “crossbow shooters”). After 1500 an increasing number of soldiers in were armed with arquebuses, though, on the whole, the conservative Swiss were hesitant to adopt the new weapon.
The alliance of alpine cantons formed the Helvetic Confederation, the forerunner of modern Switzerland. During the 14th/15th centuries, the term “Schweiz” (cow herd) was used derogatively by the Habsburg soldiers fighting to bring the Confederation back into the Holy Roman Empire. Other pejoratives regarding the Swiss pastoral life included “Milk-guzzler”, “Cow-cuddler” and worse. To hear them all, you must come to a reenactment.