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Description
A short and sweet map I made for a contest. This map is inspired by B_Munro's cover of one of Imajin's maps, one I personally like to call "Saxony and the Empire."

History:

The origins of the modern Holy Roman Empire can be traced to the early Medieval period.

Unlike in our timeline, the Ottonian Dynasty was able to secure their hold over Italy, with the last Byzantine strongholds in Calabria and Salento falling in the early 13th century. However, these victories came at a price, as the princes of northern Germany grew restless as the continual Imperial focus on securing the ancient Roman heartland left them feeling isolated against Slavic and Norse raids.

The spark that provoked the breakup of the Empire came at the end of the Wars of Investiture from 1261 to 1344. The Wars were fought because of the conflict between Emperor and Pope over the appointment of bishops within the Empire. The war ended in a decisive Imperial victory, with the Emperors gaining authority not only in the appointment of bishops, but the election of Popes as well. While a fantastic victory in the short term, in the longer term it would have devastating consequences. The now pronounced role the Emperors had in Papal elections spurred anti-Catholic sentiments, culminating in 1522 with the Twenty Years War (also known more dramatically as the Schismatic War or the Holy War depending on which side you stood) which saw the rise of the new Amendmentist faith and the northern princes of the Holy Roman Empire breaking off to form the Kingdom of Saxony. Fortunately, it was able to maintain rule of southern Germany and Italy. Yet no longer could the ruling monarchs rely solely on their German vassals to maintain their power, now the Italians were just as vital. And so the unique structure of the modern Empire was founded.

After the devastation of the Twenty Years War, the Holy Roman Empire saw a surprising era of stability and, eventually, growth. By the middle of the 17th century the Empire had managed to conquer the ever stubborn Emirate of Sicily, finally unifying all of Italy under Imperial rule. In the decades and centuries that followed saw successful campaigns against Cordoba, the Karamanid Turks and North Africa. Meanwhile, while the Empire had taken some small territories in the new lands of Concordia (the Americas) it was after the wars of religion when the colonies grew in size and wealth, with the colonies of Karolina (south-eastern North America) and Georgia (Brazil) quickly becoming jewels in the now global Imperial crown. Most importantly, they defended their homelands in repeated wars against the traitorous Saxons and their Burgundian allies. Still, no attempt by the Empire to reclaim their northern lands ever succeeded.

By the modern era, these feelings have long since subsided. The old rivalries between the nations of Europe are no longer fought on the battlefield, but in international sports and singing contests. Peace has arrived at long last in Europe.

Culture & Society:

The Empire presents an interesting example of two nationalities living in harmony. German and Italian are taught throughout their education to speak both languages, along with Latin which acts as the language of government. This bilingual nature is even reflected in the national flag, the twin headed eagles boast two crowns showing the colours of the Kingdom of Germany (black and gold) and Italy (white and red).

Modern technology is comparable with our 1950s. With international air travel on the rise the world seems to be shrinking and previously faraway lands like the Concordia’s are now closer than ever. Further shrinking the global geo-scape is the increasing popularity of ‘television,’ which allows people who have never left their own principality to see exotic scenes never before seen by the common Imperial citizen.

While the Electoral system has remained in a similar state for hundreds of years by 1966, there is growing popular demand for reform. In addition, the Muslim populations of Imperial Africa and Sicily are growing louder, asking for greater autonomy. But these are not the primary concerns of the populace. News from around the world seems grim. The decrepit Jin Empire has suffered defeats at the hands of the Japanese and now other vultures have come to circle ahead. And the Inca Empire, neighbouring Imperial Georgia, has recently fallen to a Greenist (Socialist) revolution, becoming the first of its kind in history. These are uncertain times to be sure, but the Empire has survived far worse and owes is modern uniqueness to these trials. Only time will tell how these new challenges will shape the nation.

Description
A short and sweet map I made for a contest. This map is inspired by B_Munro's cover of one of Imajin's maps, one I personally like to call "Saxony and the Empire."

History:

The origins of the modern Holy Roman Empire can be traced to the early Medieval period.

Unlike in our timeline, the Ottonian Dynasty was able to secure their hold over Italy, with the last Byzantine strongholds in Calabria and Salento falling in the early 13th century. However, these victories came at a price, as the princes of northern Germany grew restless as the continual Imperial focus on securing the ancient Roman heartland left them feeling isolated against Slavic and Norse raids.

The spark that provoked the breakup of the Empire came at the end of the Wars of Investiture from 1261 to 1344. The Wars were fought because of the conflict between Emperor and Pope over the appointment of bishops within the Empire. The war ended in a decisive Imperial victory, with the Emperors gaining authority not only in the appointment of bishops, but the election of Popes as well. While a fantastic victory in the short term, in the longer term it would have devastating consequences. The now pronounced role the Emperors had in Papal elections spurred anti-Catholic sentiments, culminating in 1522 with the Twenty Years War (also known more dramatically as the Schismatic War or the Holy War depending on which side you stood) which saw the rise of the new Amendmentist faith and the northern princes of the Holy Roman Empire breaking off to form the Kingdom of Saxony. Fortunately, it was able to maintain rule of southern Germany and Italy. Yet no longer could the ruling monarchs rely solely on their German vassals to maintain their power, now the Italians were just as vital. And so the unique structure of the modern Empire was founded.

After the devastation of the Twenty Years War, the Holy Roman Empire saw a surprising era of stability and, eventually, growth. By the middle of the 17th century the Empire had managed to conquer the ever stubborn Emirate of Sicily, finally unifying all of Italy under Imperial rule. In the decades and centuries that followed saw successful campaigns against Cordoba, the Karamanid Turks and North Africa. Meanwhile, while the Empire had taken some small territories in the new lands of Concordia (the Americas) it was after the wars of religion when the colonies grew in size and wealth, with the colonies of Karolina (south-eastern North America) and Georgia (Brazil) quickly becoming jewels in the now global Imperial crown. Most importantly, they defended their homelands in repeated wars against the traitorous Saxons and their Burgundian allies. Still, no attempt by the Empire to reclaim their northern lands ever succeeded.

By the modern era, these feelings have long since subsided. The old rivalries between the nations of Europe are no longer fought on the battlefield, but in international sports and singing contests. Peace has arrived at long last in Europe.

Culture & Society:

The Empire presents an interesting example of two nationalities living in harmony. German and Italian are taught throughout their education to speak both languages, along with Latin which acts as the language of government. This bilingual nature is even reflected in the national flag, the twin headed eagles boast two crowns showing the colours of the Kingdom of Germany (black and gold) and Italy (white and red).

Modern technology is comparable with our 1950s. With international air travel on the rise the world seems to be shrinking and previously faraway lands like the Concordia’s are now closer than ever. Further shrinking the global geo-scape is the increasing popularity of ‘television,’ which allows people who have never left their own principality to see exotic scenes never before seen by the common Imperial citizen.

While the Electoral system has remained in a similar state for hundreds of years by 1966, there is growing popular demand for reform. In addition, the Muslim populations of Imperial Africa and Sicily are growing louder, asking for greater autonomy. But these are not the primary concerns of the populace. News from around the world seems grim. The decrepit Jin Empire has suffered defeats at the hands of the Japanese and now other vultures have come to circle ahead. And the Inca Empire, neighbouring Imperial Georgia, has recently fallen to a Greenist (Socialist) revolution, becoming the first of its kind in history. These are uncertain times to be sure, but the Empire has survived far worse and owes is modern uniqueness to these trials. Only time will tell how these new challenges will shape the nation.