Battle of Coffrane

The Battle of Coffrane took place on February 28, 1296, about 1 km to the east of Coffrane in the canton of Neuchâtel. The Lords of Valangin with support from the Bishop of Basel rebelled against the Count of Neuchâtel. The battle was fought in the Val-de-Ruz, next to the village of Coffrane. The Count of Neuchâtel, Rollin, won the battle.

According to legend, after the battle the rebellious lords were brought to Rollin, who informed them that he had sworn that only two heads from them would pay for the revolt. When the rebels offered up their treasure instead, Rollin allowed them to cast two silver heads which he took instead of executing them. The silver heads were stored in the collegiate church of Neuchâtel until the Protestant Reformation when they were melted down by the iconoclasts.