Medieval German states

Medieval German states were various regional political entities that emerged in what is now Germany during the Middle Ages (roughly 500 to 1500 AD). After the fall of the Carolingian Empire, these states developed independently, each with its own rulers, laws, and customs. Notable among them were duchies, principalities, and free cities. The Holy Roman Empire, established in 962, united many of these states under an emperor, though power was often decentralized. This complex political landscape laid the groundwork for the eventual unification of Germany in the 19th century.