Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The Holy Roman Empire: the structure of central government; the seven…
Full specification wording
Conditions in early sixteenth- century Germany: The Holy Roman Empire: the structure of central government; the seven electors; the respective powers of the Emperor and the princes; the imperial election of 1519.
The Holy Roman Empire was a decentralised elective monarchy.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The Holy Roman Empire was a decentralised elective monarchy. Central government comprised the Emperor, the Imperial Diet (Reichstag), the Imperial Chamber Court (Reichskammergericht) and the imperial circles (Reichskreise), but real power lay with the princes. Seven electors—three ecclesiastical (Archbishops of Mainz, Trier, Cologne) and four secular (King of Bohemia, Count Palatine, Duke of Saxony, Margrave of Brandenburg)—chose the Emperor. The Emperor had prestige and dynastic resources but limited authority over princes, who controlled taxation, justice and armies in their territories. The imperial election of 1519 followed Maximilian I's death; Charles I of Spain was elected as Charles V after outbidding Francis I of France and Henry VIII of England, with significant financial support from the Fugger banking family. This election shaped the Empire's future and the Reformation.
What earns the marks
- Describes the structure of central government: Emperor, Imperial Diet, Imperial Chamber Court, imperial circles, and their functions.
- Identifies the seven electors and distinguishes ecclesiastical from secular electors.
- Explains the respective powers of the Emperor and the princes, noting the Emperor's limited authority and the princes' territorial control.
- Recounts the imperial election of 1519: candidates, financial backing, and outcome.
- Analyses how the election of 1519 affected the balance of power within the Empire.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the Holy Roman Empire with a centralised state.
Put it right: It was a decentralised elective monarchy with strong princely autonomy.
Listing the electors incorrectly, such as including the Duke of Bavaria.
Put it right: The seven electors were the three ecclesiastical electors and four secular electors as specified.
Stating that the Emperor could impose taxes directly.
Put it right: Taxation was largely controlled by the princes and imperial diets.
Exam tips
- Use specific names and dates, such as the election of Charles V in 1519, to support your arguments.
- When discussing powers, contrast the Emperor's theoretical authority with the princes' practical control.
- Link the structure of government to the broader context of early sixteenth-century Germany and the Reformation.
Try the lesson
The start of the Conditions in early sixteenth- century Germany: The Holy Roman Empire: the structure of central government; the seven electors; the respective powers of the Emperor and the princes; the imperial election of 1519. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which body within the Holy Roman Empire was made up of the seven leading princes who chose the Emperor?
Listen
The Holy Roman Empire was a decentralised elective monarchy. Central government comprised the Emperor, the Imperial Diet (Reichstag), the Imperial Chamber Court (Reichskammergericht) and the imperial circles (Reichskreise), but real power lay with the princes. Seven electors—three ecclesiastical (Archbishops of Mainz, Trier, Cologne) and four secular (King of Bohemia, Count Palatine, Duke of Saxony, Margrave of Brandenburg)—chose the Emperor. The Emperor had prestige and dynastic resources but limited authority over princes, who controlled taxation, justice and armies in their territories. The imperial election of 1519 followed Maximilian I's death; Charles I of Spain was elected as Charles V after outbidding Francis I of France and Henry VIII of England, with significant financial support from the Fugger banking family. This election shaped the Empire's future and the Reformation. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Describes the structure of central government: Emperor, Imperial Diet, Imperial Chamber Court, imperial circles, and their functions. Identifies the seven electors and distinguishes ecclesiastical from secular electors. Explains the respective powers of the Emperor and the princes, noting the Emperor's limited authority and the princes' territorial control. Recounts the imperial election of 1519: candidates, financial backing, and outcome. A common slip: Confusing the Holy Roman Empire with a centralised state. Instead, it was a decentralised elective monarchy with strong princely autonomy. Exam tip: Use specific names and dates, such as the election of Charles V in 1519, to support your arguments.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Decentralisation of power
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Elective monarchy
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Princely autonomy
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Dynastic politics and bribery
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See every definition
- Decentralisation of power
- The Holy Roman Empire was a decentralised elective monarchy in which real power lay with the princes rather than central government.
- Elective monarchy
- The Holy Roman Empire was an elective monarchy in which seven electors chose the Emperor.
- Princely autonomy
- The princes controlled taxation, justice and armies in their territories, so the Emperor had limited authority over them.
- Dynastic politics and bribery
- In the imperial election of 1519, Charles I of Spain was elected as Charles V after outbidding Francis I of France and Henry VIII of England, with significant financial support from the Fugger banking family.
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