Holy Roman Empire
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.
Its counterpart in the east was the Byzantine Empire.
History
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. By 1459, the Empire encompassed numerous city states, such as Milan and Florence, which allowed the Auditore International Bank to provide services throughout the Empire, and the Kingdom of Germania.[1] Despite this dominion, the Empire's military presence in Italy was negligible.[2]
During the reign of Emperor Maximilian I, the Empire developed an antagonistic relationship with the Borgia Papacy, stemming from the Pope recruiting Swiss mercenaries who had defeated him in the Swabian War into the Papal Guard. After the Italian Assassins kidnapped these mercenaries and delivered them to Maximilian in Vienna, the shocked but grateful Emperor had them form the Landsknechte, and later promised they would aid the Assassins should they ever request it.[3]