The Holy Roman Empire - Softcover

Heer, Friedrich

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1842126008 ISBN 13: 9781842126004

Publisher: Orion, 2002

Synopsis

The stamp of the institutions and politics of the old Empire is still evident in twentieth-century Europe, and many of the divisions and struggles in modern Europe, as well as the political ideals, have their roots in the Holy Roman Empire. It is Friedrich Heer's special achievement to have recognised and demonstrated the basic unity of European history. This unity is clearly shown in the history as an essentially European institution, starting with the coronation of Charlemagne in Rome on Christmas Day 800, and ending with the illegal suspension of the Empire by Francis II in 1806 under pressure from Napoleon. Within the chronological framework Professor Heer follows up certain themes throughout the book - the status of the Emperor and meaning of kingship and leadership; the structure of the Empire, which was a federation, never an absolutist state; the internal struggles within the imperial system, and the constant struggle with rival empires in the west and east; the ever-shifting centres of gravity of the Empire, Aachen and the Rhineland, Rome, Nuremberg, Sicily, Madrid, Prague and Vienna; the large measure of political and religious toleration, and the unending struggles between Empire and Church; and the ever-present ideal of a united Europe.

About this title

Book Description:

The Holy Roman Empire survived for over a thousand years, and its history was always closely interwoven with that of Europe as a whole.

About the Author:

Friedrich Heer was Professor of History of Ideas at Vienna University. He is the author of a number of important works on the Middle Ages and the history of ideas. In 1961 he was appointed, in addition to his academic posts, chief literary adviser to the Vienna Burgtheater.

About this edition

• Publisher: Orion
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1842126008
• ISBN 13: 9781842126004
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320