9. The Holy Roman Empire: A Monarchial Failure

Abstract

Royal efforts to create national states and strong monarchies during the later Middle Ages succeeded in England, France, and Spain for different reasons and under different circumstances. In two of the great geographical subdivisions of central Europe the monarchs were not so successful. Eventual unification of Germany and Italy was delayed until the nineteenth century and may be explained by a number of factors, some beyond the control of individual kings and others based on weaknesses in the character of the monarchs themselves. The political destinies of Germany and Italy became inextricably interwoven with the creation of the Holy Roman Empire. In both countries the throne involved itself in fatal disputes with the papacy, failed to get support in the towns, and over-extended itself in an attempt to rule such a large area. In addition the same conditions which resulted in feudalism in France prevailed in Germany. The crude transportation and communication facilities made virtually impossible effective government by one monarch on both sides of the Alpine barrier. German kings took seriously their emperorship, divided their attention and effort between the two lands, and except temporarily hardly exercised successful government in either. [excerpt