Peter Wilson provides a concise yet comprehensive account of the Holy Roman Empire and its profound impact during its last three centuries of existence. Drawing on a wealth of research, the expanded new edition has been fully revised and updated throughout and now features a new chapter on 'Nation and Identity'.

The Holy Roman Empire has always caused tremendous confusion for students of European history, and this book sets out to provide a clear account of this remarkable organisation - comparable in many ways only to the modern European Union - and its profound impact during its three centuries of existence.