Holy roman empire

The empire was founded by Charlemagne, who united much of Western Europe under his rule in the late 8th and early 9th centuries. However, it was not until the coronation of Otto I as emperor in 962 that the Holy Roman Empire truly came into being. The empire was a loose confederation of territories and states, each with its own ruler and laws. The emperor held little real power, but served as a figurehead and mediator between the various rulers. Over time, the empire became increasingly fragmented and weak, as individual states gained more autonomy and power.