@TipsyTentacle The Holy Roman Empire fluctuated widely in extent and power over the next several centuries; despite the name "Roman" the center of gravity of the Empire was always German, and its hold over the Italian provinces was never very secure. Eventually the Holy Roman Emperor devolved into an increasingly loose and invertebrate association of German principalities, with hundreds of little kings and dukes and barons all controlling their own terrorities in the name of a weak, figurehead Emperor. The last really strong Holy Roman Emperor was Charles V of Spain.