Questions tagged [holy-roman-empire]

The Holy Roman Empire existed from 962 to 1806 on the territory of present-day Germany and a number of its neighboring countries.

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What language(s) were spoken within the Holy Roman Empire?

What language(s) were considered the primary language for the Holy Roman Empire? Were there many different languages spoken due to the many different regions?
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Please help identify these old coins found in Germany?

We found these two identical coins in our garden (near Wuerzburg, lower Franconia / northern Bavaria): Coin side A: coat-of-arms of sorts: (the scale units are centimetres / millimetres) Coin Side ...
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Material Basis of the Golden Age of Bohemia

On a recent visit to Prague I was much impressed by the city's beauty and the number and splendor of its historic sites, such as Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge (a bit further afield Karlštejn ...
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What government functions, if any, did the archchancellor of the HRE actually exercise?

Although the Holy Roman Empire was famous for being a loose confederation of largely independent feudal lords, it nevertheless possessed institutions akin to a unified state even near the end of its ...
Semaphore's user avatar
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18 votes
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Would a common person in the 18th century have heard Mozart's music during his lifetime?

Mozart was and is one of the most influential musicians and today nearly everyone knows his name and probably some of his famous compositions. During his lifetime he certainly was a well known ...
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8 answers
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When did the Holy Roman Empire collapse?

In the 1500's, the Holy Roman Empire was a relatively powerful country. By the mid 1800's, it seemed to be superseded by in importance by its states. When did the unified "Holy Roman Empire" really ...
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How were the borders of small European principalities maintained or secured?

With shifting boundaries, enclaves, exclaves, and alliances, how were the territorial extents of small principalities or duchies maintained, for example in the Holy Roman Empire or German ...
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What were the conditions of joining or leaving the Holy Roman Empire?

Seeing as several countries in Europe are regularly rethinking whether to join or leave the European Union, I wonder how did countries join or leave the Holy Roman Empire, which was also more like a ...
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Were the lands of the Teutonic Knights part of the Holy Roman Empire? [closed]

This is a pretty simple question. The lands owned and ruled by the Teutonic Knights within Germany were certainly part of the Holy Roman Empire. Were the lands of the Teutonic Knights in the Baltic ...
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Did any commoners become prince-electors during the Holy Roman Empire?

Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire (962–1806) were elected by a set circle of prince-electors. Among them were both secular electors as well as the archbishops of Mainz, Trier, and Cologne. In ...
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Where was the County of Thurn und Taxis located?

Thurn und Taxis is a German princely family most famous for starting the first modern postal service. Wikipedia lists the County of Thurn und Taxis as a state of the Holy Roman Empire in the Electoral ...
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Why did Germany take so long to consolidate into a single nation?

To the casual observer, the Holy Roman Empire seems locked in time, continuing its almost feudal tradition even while every other part of Europe was consolidating into nations and empires. By the ...
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Monarchies with built-in rotation

I have read that rotation among nine hereditary rulers of provinces determines who is King of Malaysia during a given 5-year term. This seems to stand out from related practices e.g. over the history ...
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How were the borders of the Holy Roman Empire established?

We all know that the Holy Roman Empire was a collection of minor Germanic states in the Medieval and Renaissance Europe. Wikipedia stated that: The Holy Roman Empire was a multi-ethnic complex of ...
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What does D·G·R·IMP·S·A·G·H·B·REX·A·A·B·L·D stand for?

I came across a medal commemorating the coronation of Leopold II as Holy Roman Emperor in 1790. The inscription on the obverse of the medal is: LEOPOLDUS II D·G·R·IMP·S·A·G·H·B·REX·A·A·B·L·D· With ...
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Who were the successors of the Roman Empire?

I know that the Byzantine Empire was technically the Eastern Roman Empire, but did they carry over actual Roman traditions with them? Also, did the Holy Roman Empire have anything to do with the ...
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How long did it take approximately for a person to travel from Basel to Hanover (1753) by any means of transport?

I am writing a short story on someone's journey from Basel to Hanover and was wondering if it was a reasonable amount of time to do so, if not I would love some other now day German city that would be ...
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What happened to Frederick II's library?

The emperor Frederick II was, among other things, a very learned man who wrote a highly regarded book on falconry. Presumably, he would have had a sizeable library. Is there some mention of his ...
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What happened to copies of Holy Lance (Holy Roman Empire regalia)?

This question is only about copies of the spear that's kept in Vienna, not the Roman one or any other that are connected with "original" Holy Lance. I'm making this research for the story I'm in the ...
Darek Wędrychowski's user avatar
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2 answers
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Was the Bohemian Elector part of the Electoral College for purposes of a Reichstag, especially if he was the Emperor of the HRE?

Nominally, the order of the Electoral college was fixed in 1356 with a golden bull and once more recorded in this combination in 1489. The Bull dictated 7 Electors. One of those Electors was the King ...
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When did Nuremberg adopt the Gregorian Calendar?

A similar question has been posed on this site in the past, "When did Frankfurt am Main adopt the Gregorian Calendar?. I'm trying to discern exactly when the city of Nuremberg adopted the Gregorian ...
forest_codes's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
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Who or what were the Nassadista?

I have encountered several references to Nassadista in a 16th century Latin manuscript. As far as I can tell the noun is masculine, first declension (nominative plural Nassadistæ). Context implies ...
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What is the origin of the black/devil riders?

From what I understand, the black/devil riders were a group of German soldiers or mercenaries who were famous for using black painted armor. They developed various techniques for fighting on horseback,...
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Why did Charles V divide his holdings as he did?

Even as monarchs go, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor was one lucky individual. He inherited Austria and the job of Holy Roman Emperor, as well as the Netherlands (including Belgium) through his father, ...
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Who besieged Karl IV at Siena?

According to Wikipedia article about the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV: His second journey to Italy took place in 1368, when he had a meeting with Pope Urban VI at Viterbo, was besieged in his ...
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What is the line of descent from from emperor Louis III to Henry VII?

In this Wikipedia page about the Holy Roman Emperors, it is stated that emperor Henry VII (1275-1313) is a far descendant of emperor Louis III (880-928). What is the list of people that make the ...
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3 answers
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Was Willem the Silent Dutch?

Willem the Silent is widely considered to be the father of the Netherlands, but I have found that he was born in Nassau, Germany, which was then part of the Holy Roman empire. His ancestors were born ...
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Were the "hussars" that Jan Sobieski used at the battle of Vienna actually elite troops?

Apparently, the decisive blow at the 1683 Battle of Vienna was struck by Jan Sobieski, with only 3,000 "hussars" (cavalry). This seems a bit hard to believe, given that the Turkish army had about 100,...
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What is the Holy Roman Empire? [closed]

What is the Holy Roman Empire? I have a little background knowledge and I read a little bit on Wikipedia, but I'm still not exactly sure what it is. I know that the states under the "Empire" were ...
Ovi's user avatar
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Which is more correct, Carlos I or Carlos V?

I asked this in the Spanish StackExchange and they send me here. One very well known emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (HRE) is known as Charles V (or in Spanish: Carlos V), but it is also known as ...
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6 votes
1 answer
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Was there ever support for any persons outside of the empire to be elected Holy Roman Emperor?

In Europa Universalis IV, it is possible for electors in the Holy Roman Empire to support the election of someone outside of the Holy Roman Empire as the emperor. I recognize that this is a game with ...
David Coffron's user avatar
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1 answer
2k views

What language was spoken between Mary of Burgundy and Maximilian I

As the title states: What language was spoken between Mary of Burgundy and Maximilian I. of Habsburg? I could think of three possibilities: Latin, French and German, but am leaning towards German.
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1 answer
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What is the term for a person who surveys the land and relays messages from a noble to his governed village?

The question is self-explanatory: What is the term for a person who surveys the land and relays messages from a noble to his governed village? The officer would: Survey the village or tenant, to ...
Satori Wita's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

Did Gustavus Adolphus ever speak of making himself Emperor?

Such an assertion is made on p. 91 of Richelieu and the French Monarchy by C.V.Wedgwood. There are no footnotes, this being a book for the general reader, so I would like to have a corroboration for ...
Felix Goldberg's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
673 views

Was Marie Antoinette considered a fully legitimate bride for the heir apparent to the French throne in 1770? [closed]

When Marie Antoinette married Louis-Auguste, Dauphin of France in 1770, who later became King Louis XVI of France, was she considered as a fully legitimate bride or was there some sort of political ...
Drux's user avatar
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5 votes
5 answers
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How did member states of the Holy Roman Empire justify only including part of their land inside it?

Looking at this map, we see that the Habsburg monarchy extends partly inside the Holy Roman Empire, and partly outside of it. Similarly, a tiny sliver of Denmark-Norway, and a similar tiny slice of ...
SPavel's user avatar
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5 votes
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When did Frankfurt am Main adopt the Gregorian Calendar?

The Gregorian Calendar was adopted in Habsburg lands in 1583. As Frankfurt am Main was a Free City within the Holy Roman Empire, it fell under direct control of the [Habsburg] Emperor. However, if I ...
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What was the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Carolingian emperors?

Charlemagne was crowned by the pope in the year 800. But was it Charlemagne's choice, or was he compelled to do so? Having conquered his lands, couldn't he just crown himself emperor? Moreover, did ...
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1 answer
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What are these "Papal States" in Germany after 1648?

I don't usually watch this person's videos, but I couldn't find another one. What do the "Papal States" in Germany after the Peace of Westphalia represent? I especially want to know what affected the ...
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4 answers
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How were the territories added to (and thus the limits set in) the Holy Roman Empire

I've seen a similar question but not with the answer I'm looking for. During its existence, HRE had limits including and excluding territories that did not follow any criteria according to the ...
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4 votes
2 answers
302 views

Who was the Holy Roman Emperor that was a travelling adventurer?

I recall reading about a medieval Holy Roman Emperor, or heir apparent, that didn't get to rule over the kingdom. He was the last in line from a major dynasty, and held a high amount of prestige. He ...
John Dee's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
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What education path had to be followed to study law in 17th century Europe?

How was the path in terms of education for a small kid to follow in years so that he can become a LAWYER in 17th Century in Europe? (Mainly in The Holy Roman Empire). Thanks!
pencilCake's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
341 views

Where was the ruling seat of East Francia located under Henry the Fowler?

It seems safe to assume that Bavaria wasn't an option as Arnulf the Bad controlled this area throughout Henry's reign. The only possible candidates that I can find are Memleben (where Henry died) or ...
DallaLiyly's user avatar
3 votes
5 answers
2k views

Was there a law forbidding kingdoms in the Holy Roman Empire?

The Holy Roman Empire was founded in 962 when Otto the Great, King of Germany and Italy or Lombardy was crowned Emperor. All Emperors since then were kings of Germany and Italy, and since 1032 kings ...
MAGolding's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
257 views

What was the conflict in Milan from 1041-1044?

I was researching the Pataria movement in Milan that began around 1045. I found mention of a compromise of Milan in 1044. This got me interested in these earlier events. The only information that I ...
John Dee's user avatar
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3 votes
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Duchy and Electorate of Saxony during the Schmalkaldic War

The Wikipedia page for the Schmalkaldic War list the Duchy of Saxony and the Electorate of Saxony as opposing sides of the war, each with their own monarch (Maurice is the Duke of Saxony, John ...
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Did German Princes during the Protestant Reformation often live in castles?

I'm writing a short story based on Snow White. My research tells me the story took place during the late 16th century. The timeline of my story coincides with the Protestant Reformation. I am ...
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3 votes
0 answers
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Why no Holy Roman Emperor ever accepted a name, coinciding with a name of a Roman Emperor? [closed]

For instance, no Holy Roman Emperor was named Constantine, or Alexander etc. On the other hand, many Byzantine emperors had names of previous Roman emperors (Constantine, Theodosios, Tiberios, ...
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2 votes
2 answers
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Is the story of Peter Niers brutal execution authentic?

Okay, so I asked a similar question to this on the Medical Stack Exchange. It's not doing too well (2 downvotes), and I can kind of get it. Medical professionals want nothing to do with the harm of ...
Curious Layman's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
283 views

What is the manifestation of the Holy Roman Emperor reign in Italy?

According to Wikipedia, The Holy Roman Emperor was also called "King of italy", and it says there that he ruled over a big part of Italy. But I have also read that throughout the Middle Ages, many ...
MrJack320's user avatar