Holy Roman Empire
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The Holy Roman Empire, also known as the Roman Empire (before 1157) and the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation (from 1512), was a European superpower throughout the 2nd millennium CE that dominated the central European continent.
The spiritual successor to the Western Roman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire's dominion extended from Denmark in the north, through Germany and into northern Italy, where, by 1459, it encompassed numerous city states, such as Milan and Firenze. Despite this dominion however, the Empire's military presence in Italy was negligible.[1]
Due to it's vast size, the Empire was home to various sects of the Assassin Order, including the Northern European and Italian Assassins, as well as the Templar Order.
During the reign of Emperor Maximilian I, the Empire developed an antagonistic relationship with the Borgia Papacy, stemming from the Pope's recruitment of the Empire's Swiss Guards. Following his defeat at the hands of these soldier in the Swabian War of 1499, the Emperor, together with several Assassins, formed the Landsknechte, which the Emperor later promised would aid the Assassin should they ever request it.[2]