The battle marked the release of the 'burghers' (citizens) of Strasbourg from episcopal authority and gave the bourgeoisie control over politics and commerce.

This period of the settlements history was marked by a long conflict between its bishop and its citizens over the application of ecclesiastic authority and its control of administrative offices.

[5] This came to an end in 1260 when Walter of Geroldseck was installed on the episcopal throne as 'prince-archbishop' and sought to regain the powers granted over the previous century to citizen officials.

This included the publication of a manifesto of grievances against the citizens, stating his intention to re-establish his temporal rights as Count-Burgrave of Strasbourg.

In September 1261 the first league was formed by four powerful lords of Strasbourg with a further three town-leagues at Neuenburg, Colmar and Basle created in the following two months.

[5] Faced with rising discontent, Walter of Geroldseck sought reinforcements, and 1,500 men were sent by the Bishop of Trier along with others from the abbots of St Gall and Murbach.

[3] During a truce for the harvest, Count Rudolf of Habsburg changed his allegiance and sided with the Strasbourgers, who proclaimed him the gonfalonier (standard-bearer) of their army on 18 September 1261.

On Christmas Day 1261, a sortie by the Strasbourgers in the direction of Dachstein did not resolve the conflict, as Geroldseck's forces avoided a clash with Rudolf's.

On 8 March 1262, Reimbold Liebenzeller led half of the Strasbourg garrison to Mundolsheim, at the northern end of the Hausbergen hill, to capture the bell tower which was thought to be a lookout post for Geroldseck's blockade.

Liebenzeller led forward the militia, armed with spears and Danish axes,[10] and ordered them to attack the horses of the knights.

[citation needed] Peace was concluded between the city and the new bishop, Henry of Geroldseck, cousin of the deceased Walter.