War of the cities 1387–1389

The War of the cities (ger. Städtekrieg) was in its beginning a war between the Swabian League of Cities and the bavarian dukes from 1387 to 1389. In the further course it increased to a war for the influence of nobility and the free cities.

Background and events
The reason for the war was a pact between the Swabian League of Cities and the archbishop of Salzburg Pilgrim von Puchheim, both antagonists of Bavaria. This pact would have surrounded Bavaria from two sides. Bavaria took the bishop captive and demanded the dissolution of the pact. German king Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia declared Reichskrieg (ger. imperial war) against Bavaria.

Originating from a regional conflict, the war developed into a decision of the future role of king, nobility and cities in the Holy Roman Empire.

After three years of brutal war, which included whole south Germany, the war ended with the Landfrieden of Eger on 5. May 1389 on the expense of the cities. The Swabian League of Cities was forbidden and dissolved. The cities had to pay war reparations and take other drawbacks. The conflicts couldn't be settled by this unjust peace and 1390 a new league of cities was founded.