Holy Roman Empire

The Holy Roman Empire was not one country, but a group of many smaller lands ruled by an emperor. It was located in central Europe, covering much of what is today Germany.

Local rulers, such as princes and bishops, had a lot of power, which sometimes caused arguments and fighting. One of the worst times in the empire’s history was the Thirty Years’ War. Cities were destroyed, farms were burned, and millions of people died. Even after so much damage, the Holy Roman Empire continued to exist and helped shape the history of modern Europe.