Why Was Germany so Fragmented in the Middle Ages?

Kings and Generals animated historical documentary series on the Middle Ages. continues with an episode on the history of Germany and Europe. The Holy Roman Empire was one of history’s most complex and fragmented political entities. A chaotic mix of states, its borders remained a mess for centuries. In this video, we explore why it stayed decentralized and how feudalism played a key role in its rise and fragmentation. A major factor in its political struggles was the power struggle between the Papacy and the Emperor, which led to conflicts like the Investiture Controversy. Meanwhile, the Golden Bull of 1356 formalized the empire’s fragmented structure by empowering the nobility and limiting the emperor’s authority. Despite efforts at centralization, the Habsburgs’ attempts at reform only temporarily strengthened the empire before it crumbled under external pressures.