societies at this time were equally violent. Whatever the case may be, in
Germany central power – the Emperor – proved too weak to keep the peace. In
contrast to the more centralised kingdoms of England and France (and more like
the fragmented territories of Italy and Spain), in Germany the notion developed
that local princes were responsible for keeping the peace
within
princely
territories, while it was permissible to wage war
between
princes – and indeed
with almost anyone – within the Empire. This both reflected and confirmed the
political fragmentation of the Empire. From the mid-fifteenth century, some
princes of the Empire came together to form ‘circles’ or political alliances within
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