1177 Berthold IV of Zähringen founds the free city of Fribourg.
1186 Berthold V succeeds. He develops the policy of walling in strong cities to offset the power of the nobles. He fortifies Burgdorf, Moudon, Yuerdon, Laupen, and Schaffhausen.
1190 Berthold V defeats the rebellious nobles at Avenches and in the Grindelwald.
1191 Berthold V founds the city of Bern.
1209 Franciscan monks begin to enter Switzerland.
1211 Berthold V is defeated by Count Thomas of Savoy, who seizes Moudon.
1215 Dominicans begin to enter Switzerland.
1218 Berthold V dies childless. With him the house of Zähringen and the rectorate of Burgundy ends. Switzerland reverts to Germany. Bern, Solothurn, Zurich, and other towns become immediately dependent on the emperor, and gain in freedom. Many nobles become subject to the empire alone and increase in power. The houses of Savoy, Kyburg (inheritors of the lands of the Zähringens), and Habsburg become most prominent. Religious orders flourish.
1231 The people of Uri obtain their first charter from King Henry, which nominally places them directly under the empire.
1240 The community of Schwyz is given a charter from the empire by Frederick II. Savoy extends her dominion to include Vaud and other portions of Southern Switzerland.