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The Appenzell Wars () were a series of conflicts that lasted from 1401 until 1429 in the Appenzell region of modern-day Switzerland. The wars consisted of uprisings of cooperative groups, such as the farmers of Appenzell or the craftsmen of the city of St. Gallen, against the traditional medieval Feudalism represented by the House of Habsburg and the Prince-Abbot of the Abbey of St. Gall.
The conflict was one of a number of popular revolts in late-medieval Europe. It resulted in greater autonomy for Appenzell and its association with the Old Swiss Confederacy, of which it would become a member (Swiss cantons) in 1513.
In 1379, Kuno von Stoffeln became Prince-Abbot of St. Gall. Soon he reached an agreement with Appenzell, who had initially refused to pay him homage, and the city of St. Gallen. In 1392, Kuno, whose rule became increasingly authoritarian, formed an alliance with the Duchy of Austria, which was renewed in 1402. In response, in 1401 Appenzell entered into an alliance with the city of St. Gallen to protect their rights and freedoms.
Appenzell declared itself ready to stand against the abbot, and in 1403 formed an alliance with the Canton of Schwyz, a member of the Old Swiss Confederacy that had defeated the Austrians in the previous century. Glarus provided less support, but authorized any citizen who wished to support Appenzell to do so. In response, the League raised an army and marched to St. Gallen before heading toward Appenzell. In May 1403, the abbot's and the League's troops marched toward Trogen. On 15 May 1403, they entered the pass to Speicher and outside the village of Vögelinsegg met the Appenzell army. A small force of about 80 Appenzellers started the attack from a hill over the valley, with about 300 soldiers from Schwyz and 200 from Glarus moving around the flanks of the army. When the League's cavalry charged up the hill, they met 2000 Appenzellers and were forced to retreat. During the retreat, about 600 horsemen and many of the 5000 infantry were killed by the Appenzell army. The League signed an armistice with Appenzell at Arbon, but the peace was short lived.
Following the Appenzell victory at Stoss Pass, they formed an alliance with the city of St. Gallen, which was known as the Bund ob dem See ("alliance over the lake", referring to the nearby Lake Constance). The creation of the Bund shook the foundation of Austrian power in the Lake Constance region. By 1406 they had taken more than 60 castles and destroyed 30. During the expansion, Appenzell had even captured the abbot of St Gall and in response they were excommunication by the Bishop of Constance.
However, while the Bund expanded the Austrians used the peace to regain their strength. On 11 September 1406 an association of nobles formed a chivalric order known as the Order of St. George's Shield to oppose the rebellious commoners of the Bund. The order besieged the Bund city of Bregenz in 1407. On 13 January 1408 Bund troops marched against the Order and Austrian troops outside the city. The attack was a disaster for the Bund, when their troops were defeated and driven back from the walls. Following the defeat Appenzell was unable to hold the Bund together. The city of St. Gallen and the canton of Schwyz each paid off the Austrians to avoid an attack, and the Bund was dissolved by King Rupert on 4 April 1408.
As part of the peace treaty, the abbot gave up his ownership of Appenzell, but was still owned certain taxes. However, it wasn't until 1410 that the area was at peace. In 1411, Appenzell signed a defensive treaty with the entire Swiss Confederation (except Bern), which strengthened their independence from the abbot, joining the Confederation as an "associate member" (it wouldn't become a full member until 1513).
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