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Holy Roman Empire: Quick Facts

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Facts

Also Known As Heiliges Römisches Reich • Sacrum Romanum Imperium
Date 800 - 1806

Photos and Videos

Map of Europe about 800 CE showing the extent of the Frankish kingdom under Charlemagne in light purple, covering much of present-day France, Germany, northern Italy, and neighboring regions. Areas inhabited by Slavic peoples who were tributary to Charlemagne are shaded in a darker purple to the east of the Frankish kingdom, including groups such as the Bohemians, Moravians, and Croats. Major cities, rivers, and neighboring kingdoms are labeled for context.
orb of the Holy Roman Empire
Thematic map of Europe and the Mediterranean showing the routes of various barbarian groups during the invasions of the late Roman Empire. Colored arrows trace the migrations of groups such as the Goths, Vandals, Franks, Saxons, and others, with boundaries of the Roman Empire in 395 CE and subsequent political divisions marked. Major kingdoms and cities are labeled, illustrating the movement and settlement patterns of these peoples.
Donation of Constantine
Charlemagne and Leo III
Illuminated manuscript portrait of Louis the Pious as a Christian Roman emperor, holding a staff and shield, with Latin text arranged around and over the figure.
Image of the Imperial seal of Arnulf of Carinthia
plaque with Christ receiving Magdeburg Cathedral from Emperor Otto I
Map of Europe and the eastern Mediterranean showing the division between Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christianity following the Schism of 1054. A red line marks the separation between Western (Roman Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) regions, with major centers of early Christianity, such as Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, and Alexandria, indicated by black dots.
Gregory VII excommunicating clergymen
Charlemagne: His influence on religion and politics
The Origin of the Expression Walk to Canossa
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Related Topics and References

Topics
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Major Events

Napoleon I
French Revolutionary wars
Illustration of the Battle of Blenheim showing cavalry and infantry in combat, fallen soldiers, and smoke rising from cannon fire across a hilly battlefield.
War of the Spanish Succession
The Origin of the Expression Walk to Canossa
Investiture Controversy
Painting by Gerard Terborch showing a large group of men in formal 17th-century attire gathered around a green-covered table, witnessing the signing of the Treaty of Munster.
Peace of Westphalia
Hapsburg emperor Charles V
Peace of Augsburg
Historical map of Central Europe showing territorial changes resulting from the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 at the end of the Thirty Years' War. Areas transferred to Sweden, Brandenburg, Transylvania, Saxony, France, the United Provinces, Bavaria, and Poland are color-coded. The map also marks the boundary of the Holy Roman Empire, key battle sites, and the route of Gustavus Adolphus's campaign from 1631 to 1632. Major cities, rivers, and neighboring countries such as France, Poland, Sweden, and
Thirty Years’ War
King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden at the Battle of Breitenfeld
Battle of Breitenfeld
John (king of England)
Battle of Bouvines
Painting by Jakob Seisenegger showing Emperor Charles V in ornate Renaissance attire standing beside a large hunting dog, with a green curtain in the background.
Sack of Rome
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Declaration of Pillnitz
The Siege of Vienna, 1529
Siege of Vienna
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Golden Bull of Emperor Charles IV
Diet of Worms
Diet of Worms
The Battle of Dessau, 1626
Battle of Dessau
Henri, Viscount of Turenne
Battle of Freiburg
Europe after the Thirty Years' War, 1648
Battle of Nördlingen
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Battle of Wittstock
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treaties of Rastatt and Baden
Concordat of Worms
Concordat of Worms
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Augsburg Interim

Related Places

Sanssouci Palace
Brandenburg
historical margravate, Germany
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Jülich
town and historical duchy, Germany
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Berg
former duchy, Germany
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Barrois
historical county, France
France
France
country, Europe
Germany
Germany
country, Europe
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Hanover
historical state, Germany
Italy
Italy
country, Europe
Český Krumlov
Bohemia
historical region, Europe

Key People

Painting by Albrecht Durer of Charlemagne in ornate coronation robes and crown, holding a sword and orb, with gold embroidery and regal symbols behind him.
Charlemagne
Holy Roman emperor [747?–814]
Johannes Kepler
Johannes Kepler
German astronomer
Painting by Jakob Seisenegger showing Emperor Charles V in ornate Renaissance attire standing beside a large hunting dog, with a green curtain in the background.
Charles V
Holy Roman emperor
Frederick II
Frederick II
Holy Roman emperor
Medieval manuscript miniature showing Frederick I as a crowned crusader holding an orb and scepter, with Henry of Schaftlarn kneeling and presenting a book to him.
Frederick I
Holy Roman emperor
Henry IV
Henry IV
Holy Roman emperor
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Louis IV
Holy Roman emperor
Illuminated manuscript portrait of Louis the Pious as a Christian Roman emperor, holding a staff and shield, with Latin text arranged around and over the figure.
Louis I
Holy Roman emperor
Albrecht von Wallenstein
Albrecht von Wallenstein
Bohemian military commander
Maximilian I
Maximilian I
Holy Roman emperor
Portrait painting of Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor, wearing a black and red military coat with medals and a sash, with St. Peter's Basilica visible in the background.
Joseph II
Holy Roman emperor
Maria Theresa
Maria Theresa
Holy Roman empress
Leopold I
Leopold I
Holy Roman emperor
Henry III
Henry III
Holy Roman emperor
Stone sculptures of Otto I and his wife Edith, both crowned and seated, displayed side by side in the cathedral at Magdeburg, Germany.
Otto I
Holy Roman emperor
Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd duke de Alba, oil painting by Sir Antony More, 1549; in the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels.
Fernando Álvarez de Toledo y Pimentel, 3 duque de Alba
Spanish soldier and statesman
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Conrad II
Holy Roman emperor
Charles IV
Charles IV
Holy Roman emperor
Henry II, detail from a statue, c.1235; from a portal in the Bamberg Cathedral, Germany
Henry II
Holy Roman emperor
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Ferdinand II
Holy Roman emperor

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