Niklaus Thut († 9. Juli 1386; former spelling: Claus Tuto, probably son of Johann) was president of the town concil and commander and color bearer of the village troops in Zofingen (canton Aargau). Since the 16th century he has been celebrated as a hero of Zofingen.

The Battle of Sempach

The Battle of Sempach was fought on 9 July 1386, between Leopold III, Duke of Austria and the Old Swiss Confederacy. The battle was a decisive Swiss victory in which Duke Leopold and numerous Austrian nobles died. The victory helped turn the loosely allied Swiss Confederation into a more unified nation and is seen as a turning point in the growth of Switzerland.
Niklaus Thut was color bearer from Zofingen who fightened on the site of Austria. While he was passing away on July 9th 1386 he swallowed the flag and prevented Zofingen from a loss of the war. With his body the flag came back to Zofingen and later he became a hero.

Today in Zofingen there is a «Niklaus Thut-Platz» (Niklaus Thut square) with a «Niklaus Thut fountain».