Germanic Alemannic peoples had increased their influence on the area of present day north-central Switzerlan after the fall of the Roman Empire beginning in the sixth century.

The Benedictine Monastery of St. Leodegar was founded around 750 and later acquired by Murbach Abbey in Alsace in the middle of the ninth century, by which time the area had become known as Luciaria.

In 1178, Lucerne acquired its independence from the jurisdiction of Murbach Abbey, and the founding of the city proper probably occurred that same year.

The city has gained importance as a strategically located gateway for the growing commerce from the Gotthard trade route.

By 1290, Lucerne has become a self-sufficient city of reasonable size with about three thousand inhabitants.

About this time, German King Rudolph I von Habsburg gains authority over the Monastery of St. Leodegar and its lands, including Lucerne.

The populace is not content with the increasing Habsburg influence, and Lucerne allies with neighboring towns to seek independence from their rule.

Hans Holbein the Elder and his son Hans begin a project in Lucerne, painting internal and external murals for the merchant Jakob von Hertenstein.

While in Lucerne, the younger Holbein also designs cartoons for stained glass.

The city's records show that on December 10, 1517, he had been fined five livres for fighting in the street with a goldsmith called Caspar, who was fined the same amount.

Over the winter, Holbein the younger had probably visited northern Italy, though no record of the trip survives.

Many scholars believe he studied the work of Italian masters of fresco, such as Andrea Mantegna, before returning to Lucerne.

He fills two series of panels at Hertenstein's house with copies of works by Mantegna, including The Triumphs of Caesar.

Ludwig Pfyffer concludes a Swiss alliance with Spain against the accession of Henry of Navarre to the French throne in 1587.

Known as “King of the Swiss,” Pfyffer has acquired a substantial fortune from foreign pensions and as a supplier of mercenaries to the pope, and has established close relations with the Holy League of Philip II of Spain and Henri, duc de Guise.

A Swiss native who for many years had been an active and intrepid warrior in the service of France, he had won fame in 1567 by safely leading the royal family of Charles IX from Meaux to Paris while under Huguenot attack.

Elected chief magistrate for Luzern in 1571—which office he will continue to occupy until his death—he has makes this city the center of Catholic Counter-Reformation activity in Switzerland.

His Golden (or Borromean) League of 1586—the alliance of the seven Catholic cantons for furtherance of religious interests—had nearly led to the destruction of the Swiss Confederation and precipitates the division of the canton of Appenzell along religious lines.