1529–1531

The Kappel Wars and the death of Zwingli

The alliance of Switzerland's Protestant cantons alarmed the Catholic cantons, which formed their own league. The First Kappel War began in 1529 and ended in a bloodless truce.

In 1531 five Catholic cantons suddenly attacked Zurich. At the Battle of Kappel on 11 October the Zurich army was routed. Zwingli, who accompanied it as chaplain, was killed.

The Peace of Kappel soon followed, granting each canton freedom to choose its confession. Leadership of the Reformed church passed to Zwingli's successor Heinrich Bullinger. Under him the consolidation of the Reformed tradition began.