What were Maximilian I’s goals for reviving the Holy Roman Empire?

Maximilian I (reigned 1493–1519) sought to strengthen the Holy Roman Empire by centralizing authority under his direct control, modeling his administration after bureaucratic agencies in Burgundy and Austria. He aimed to bolster this power through the application of Roman law and by establishing a more efficient, unified state structure.1

His imperial goals were deeply intertwined with his dynastic ambitions. Maximilian focused on expanding the power of the House of Habsburg through strategic marriage alliances, which linked his territories to Spain, the Netherlands, Hungary, and Bohemia. By securing these connections, he hoped to consolidate a vast, influential realm.1

However, his reform objectives were largely thwarted by the empire’s estates (Stände), who favored a decentralized administration responsive to their own interests rather than the emperor’s. This led to a permanent political struggle that limited his ability to implement reforms, such as the "Common Penny" tax or centralized control over foreign policy. Ultimately, while Maximilian successfully expanded his family's dynastic reach, his broader vision of a centralized, universal empire remained largely unrealized.1