The German Monarchy
As the West was experiencing a sort of falling out with respect to government they East, including Germany and Italy, had already hit a theoretical rock bottom. The East, or the Holy Roman Empire, encompassed mainly Germany and had, during the Hohenstaufens dynasty, attempted to encompass part of N. Italy as well. This, ironically, was the downfall of the Holy Roman Empire's government. As the Hohenstaufens dynasty failed to obtain and control N. Italy it also failed to maintain a stable and centralized government in Germany. This resulted in the creation of many, "states," that consisted of provinces/territories all of which were governed by individual clergymen who served as both the religious and political leaders of the state. While these clergymen did somewhat respect and submit to the Holy Roman Emperor they became increasingly like their own state and less like the country of Germany.
Electoral Nature of the German Monarchy
The German government also differed from those of the French and English in that it was based on the election of the next Holy Roman Emperor, or King of the Romans, instead of being hereditary. However it wasn't electoral in the sense that the people had the chance to elect their king, but in the sense that a panel of, "judges,", or electors, were chosen who in turn elected the next emperor. The panel consisted of seven men:
Even though the electoral system seemed better, the German monarchy entered into the 1400's in a state similar to that of France. The land was characterized by infighting, princes against princes, cities on cities and all the while the whole country seemed on the verge of rebellion against the government that seemed to be causing more problems than it was worth.
- Count Palatine of the Rhine
- Duke of Saxony
- Margrave of Brandenburg
- King of Bohemia
- Archbishop of Mainz
- Archbishop of Trier
- Archbishop of Cologne
Even though the electoral system seemed better, the German monarchy entered into the 1400's in a state similar to that of France. The land was characterized by infighting, princes against princes, cities on cities and all the while the whole country seemed on the verge of rebellion against the government that seemed to be causing more problems than it was worth.