Barons and castellans · Other imperial lands · as at first light, 1 January 1200

Rapperswil

A free family on the upper shore of Lake Zürich, between the Linth plain and Einsiedeln.

Their old castle stands above Altendorf in the March; about 1200 they began to move across the lake to the new castle of Rapperswil on the Endingen peninsula, but the town there is not founded until the 1220s (charter 1229). They are advocates of the great abbey of Einsiedeln, hold estates in the Zürcher Oberland round Weisslingen, Russikon and Kempten with the castles of Greifenberg and Bernegg, and had wide property in Uri (given to Wettingen after 1227). They co-founded the Hospitaller house of Bubikon (1191-1198).

Who he is

Name
Rudolf (III) of Rapperswil (about 1160-1217/18), probably with kinsmen
Title
Free lord (Edelfreier) of Rapperswil; advocate (Kastvogt) of Einsiedeln abbey; the comital title only from 1233
Since
not pinned (his father Rudolf II died about 1171 per en.wikipedia; the charters fall silent from about 1192 to 1220)
Born
about 1160
Family
The house's record breaks between about 1192 and 1220, so historians separate an 'old' from a 'new' Rapperswil line; Ulrich of Rapperswil is abbot of Einsiedeln (1192-1206). Rudolf's sons Ulrich and Rudolf (IV) were born about 1185. Inheritance of Alt-Rapperswil was shared with the Toggenburg about 1200 (HLS Toggenburg).
Confidence
low

en.wikipedia House of Rapperswil; HLS Toggenburg; HLS Uri.

Overlord

The king; Einsiedeln for the advocacy.

What it holds

  • Alt-Rapperswil castle above Altendorf and the March shore
  • The new castle of Rapperswil, begun about 1200 (not pinned whether begun by 1 January 1200)
  • The advocacy (Kastvogtei) of Einsiedeln abbey and its forest lands
  • Estates and parish rights round Weisslingen, Russikon and Kempten (Wetzikon), the castles of Greifenberg and Bernegg (about 1180)
  • Wide property in Uri (12th century)
  • Co-patronage of Bubikon

How it was acquired

Inheritance; the Einsiedeln advocacy is old in the family.

Allies and rivals

Kin and co-heirs: the Toggenburg. Einsiedeln's quarrel with the men of Schwyz over the forest marches puts the advocate against the Schwyzers.

How things stand that morning

Holds his castle, advocacy and estates; documentation thin for these years. Allegiance not pinned (the family is Staufen by 1233; Rudolf went on the Fifth Crusade with Lütold of Regensberg).

Wealth

Einsiedeln's dues, the lake traffic, Oberland estates. No figures.

Military

Alt-Rapperswil, Greifenberg, Bernegg; the new Rapperswil castle. No numbers.

Threats

  • The men of Schwyz in the Einsiedeln forest quarrel.
  • Kyburg and Toggenburg pressing in the Oberland.

What the year holds

What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.

  1. about 1200 (not pinned)Building of the new castle at Rapperswil across the lake.Depends on: Peace and money. Stopped by: A feud on the lake.

Places of note

  • Alt-Rapperswil castle: Old seat above Altendorf
  • Einsiedeln abbey: Abbey under Rapperswil advocacy

Where the sources disagree

  • en.wikipedia's House of Rapperswil table and text disagree on dates; HLS has no family article linked there.

Evidence: The family's charters break off between about 1192 and 1220; names and holdings for 1200 are reconstructed.

On the map: The Oberland estates were scattered among Kyburg and Toggenburg lands; drawn as one block.

Primary sources for Empire

Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.

8 more in the sources library for The Rhineland, the Low Countries and the Swiss Lands.

Sources and studies

  1. en.wikipedia: House of Rapperswil
  2. HLS: Toggenburg, von

Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.