From a historical and systematic perspective, the study analyzes various approaches to the literary portrayal of historical events. Historical prose narratives by 19th century Swiss authors (J. Gotthelf, G. Keller, C.F. Meyer) are examined both in their relationship to contemporary historiography and in the context of a national 'mythology' disseminated by patriotic drama. The aim of the investigation is to point up the complementary and cohesive aspects of literary prose, historiography, and national literature, while casting light on their function in connection with the evolution of an 'inner' nation in the age of historicism.