The reformation is introduced in the city of St. Gallen by ayor and humanist Joachim von Watt (Vadian), starting in 1526.

The town converts to the new reformed religion while the Abbey remains Roman Catholic.

While iconoclastic riots force the monks to flee the city and remove images from the city's churches, the fortified Abbey remains untouched.

The town of Sankt Gallen had bought its liberty from the German king Sigismund in 1415.

In 1405 the Appenzell estates of the abbot had successfully rebelled and in 1411 they had become allies of the Old Swiss Confederation.

A few months later, the town of St. Gallen also became an ally, joining the "everlasting alliance" as full members of the Confederation in 1454 and in 1457 became completely free from the abbot.

However, in 1451 the abbey had become an ally of Zürich, Lucerne, Schwyz and Glarus, all of whom were members of the Confederation.

In early 1490, the four cantons had supported the Abbot against the rebellious city and the Appenzell.

Following their victory, the Confederation had taken ownership of the city of St. Gallen and rejected the inroads of the empire.