In 1512 Pope Julius II gave the Swiss mercenaries expensive gifts for the valor they displayed in battles against France.
These included elaborate silk banners made out of the finest damask!
Some of these "Julius banners" survived to this day like this banner of Zürich.
"The unity and glory of their armies have made this savage, uncultured people famous."
Francesco Guicciardini (1483-1540) describing the Swiss in The History of Italy.