Holy Roman Empire/Mastery

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Mastery

Civilization

Technology tree

Mastery

The Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation claimed to be the rightful successor to the ancient Roman Empire. Its emperors controlled central Europe with a stalwart army of hardened infantrymen, and aimed to capture the center of the Christian world itself: Rome.

Bestirred

Gather 500 resources with Villagers affected by Holy Inspiration in the Dark Age (I).

Rewards

• Scythe Portrait
• Fun Fact: Renovatio Imperii Romanorum

Fun Fact: Renovatio Imperii Romanorum

In 800 CE, Charlemagne, king of the Franks became emperor. He saw this as continuing the Roman Empire, and was its first medieval western ruler. Being crowned by the pope lent legitimacy to the emperor's claim. Using the slogal "Renewal of the Roman Empire" to declare his intentions, Charlemagne and future emperors would seek to seize power over Rome itself.

Safety In Numbers

Construct 20 buildings within the range of influence of a Town Center.

Rewards

• Straight Swords Sigil
• Fun Fact: A Multitude of States

Fun Fact: A Multitude of States

At its height in the 13th century, the Holy Roman Empire held a complex collection of hundreds of territories, ranging from small knightly estates to the large kingdom of Bohemia. Centered on modern-day Germany, its borders spanned from the North Sea to the Mediterranean. While each territory could govern its own affairs, all were - to varying degrees - dependent upon the backing of the emperor himself.

Holy Roman Empire Novice

Win a game as the Holy Roman Empire.

Rewards

• Holy Roman Empire Shield Portrait
• Fun Fact: The Empress Matilda

Fun Fact: The Empress Matilda

Daughter of England's Henry I, Matilda was uniquely prepared for rule. At 12, she became the Holy Roman Empress, and grew up learning how to command. In the years when her husband, Heinrich V, was at war, she governed the realm in his stead. After his death, she would use her experience to fight for the crown of England.

Resupply

Defeat 15 enemy units with Men-At-Arms affected by the Two-Handed Weapons technology.

Rewards

• Holy Roman Empire Citizen Portrait
• Fun Fact: A Fearsome Hedgehog

Fun Fact: A Fearsome Hedgehog

The Landsknecht soldiers were a highly successful fighting force. Wielding long pikes, halberds, arquebus guns, and double-handed broadswords, they would group up in tight rectangular formations and advance steadily into enemy ranks. Their circular defensive formation was an almost impenetrable ring of pikes pointing out from the center, known as "igel", meaning "hedgehog".

Fleet of Foot

Research Marching Drills then produce a force of 30 infantry before the Imperial Age (IV).

Rewards

• Single Stripe Banner Pattern
• Fun Fact: The Edict of Salerno

Fun Fact: The Edict of Salerno

In 1241, the Emperor Frederick II made a declaration that forever changed the medical profession. Frederick saw a problem: physicians could prescribe, prepare, and sell medicines of their own making, resulting in high prices for patients. The Edict of Salerno legally separated the work of doctors from that of pharmacists. Priced were lowered for all, and the poor would be treated for free.

Ray of Hope

Produce 4 Prelates from Monasteries.

Rewards

• Mace Portrait
• Fun Fact: The Shifting Empire

Fun Fact: The Shifting Empire

The name of the empire changed over time. Charlemagne had seen himself as reviving the Roman Empire of Augustus and Constantine - the first Roman and the first Christian emperors, respectively. By the end of the twelfth century, it was increasingly referred to as the "Holy Roman Empire", and from 1495 was known as the "Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation".

Holy Roman Empire Apprentice

Win 2 games as the Holy Roman Empire.

Rewards

• Landsknecht Monument
• Fun Fact: Emperor of Falconry

Fun Fact: Emperor of Falconry

Medieval Europe was gripped by an enthusiasm for falconry, and the emperor Frederick II became a renowed expert in the art, even authoring his own book on the topic. So blinding was his obsession that he left the Siege of Parma in order to go hawking. In his absence, the enemy took control of his camp, burnt it to the ground, and looted his treasure.

Safeguard

Construct the Regnitz Cathedral, place a Relic within it, and accrue 3,000 Gold from it.

Rewards

• Holy Roman Empire Champion Portrait
• Fun Fact: A Fair Wage

Fun Fact: A Fair Wage

The Holy Roman Empire raised its army of Landsknechte - "land servants" - through payment, rather than feudal obligation. But in times of peace, the mercenaries would sometimes go unpaid and resort to pillaging for a living. In 1527 the Landsknechte sacked and destroyed Rome, demanding to be paid what they were owed. They eventually left, but only after the pope had paid a large ransom.

By a Landslide

Defeat 30 enemies with Landsknechte.

Rewards

• Sailing Ship Sigil
• Fun Fact: Cologne Cathedral

Fun Fact: Cologne Cathedral

Built on the site of an ancient Roman temple and taking over 600 years to construct, Cologne Cathedral was intended as a home for the relics of the Three Kings. It later came to house many of the empire's most prized religious treasures. Its introcate Gothic architecture, imposing scale and imperial artifacts make it one of the most visited medieval sites in Europe today.

Holy Tithes

Accrue 1,000 Gold from Relics placed within Monasteries, Keeps, Docks, Stone Wall Towers, or Outposts.

Rewards

• Beguine Sister Portrait
• Fun Fact: Relics of the Holy Roman Empire

Fun Fact: Relics of the Holy Roman Empire

The possession of holy relics bolstered the legitimacy of the emperor. Some relics even came to symbolize the empire itself. The imperial cross contained a fragment of what was believed to be the "True Cross" from the Crucifixion. The "Holy Lance" was believed to have pierced Christ's side. From 1356, these relics and other insignia of the realm were displayed when an imperial assembly occurred, and during an emperor's coronation.

Holy Roman Empire Adept

Win 5 games as the Holy Roman Empire.

Rewards

• Holy Roman Empire Prelate Portrait
• Holy Roman Empire Man-At-Arms Monument
• Fun Fact: A Court of Science and Art

Fun Fact: A Court of Science and Art

Emperor Frederick II was a keen student of science and an enthusiastic experimenter. in 1224, he founded a university at Naples, one of Europe's oldest. His court became a magnet for philosophers, scientists and poets, famous for their writings on astronomy, natural philosophy and mathematics, and for the invention of the sonnet.

Thou Shalt Not Pass

Construct the Elzbach Palace and then construct 3 Keeps within influence.

Rewards

• Relic Portrait
• Footman Maces Sigil
• Fun Fact: The Walk to Canossa

Fun Fact: The Walk to Canossa

Emperor Heinrich IV was in trouble with the pope. Their long argument over the emperor's powers left Heinrich excommunicated, and at risk of losing his kingdom. Seeking reconciliation, Heinrich made a 500-mile trek across the Alps to Canossa Castle in Italy. At the gates, he did his penance, kneeling for three days without food at the height of a blizzard, and was finally absolved

Preach to the Choir

Convert 10 enemies with a Prelate.

Rewards

• Landsknecht Portrait
• Fun Fact: The Crusades

Fun Fact: The Crusades

Spanning generations of Holy Roman Emperors, the campaigns known as the crusades would preoccupy Europe for centuries. The earliest crusades aimed to claim the Holy Land of Jerusalem from its muslim inhabitants. However, after nearly 200 years, the last crusaders were expelled from Acre in 1291. But crusades were continued to be fought across Europe against those considered enemies of Christianity - with the last being called against Napoleon.

Wonderous

Research Reinforced Defenses and then achieve a Wonder victory.

Rewards

• Charles V Portrait
• Fun Fact: A Fighting Style

Fun Fact: A Fighting Style

Heavily influenced by renaissance style, the Landsknecht fighters were not only fearsome, but flamboyant. Donning hats topped with bird feathers, large puffy sleeves and hose legs of different colors, they made a striking impression on the battlefield. But however elaborate their dress, their strength and organization made them a force to be reckoned with

Holy Roman Empire Master

Win 10 games as the Holy Roman Empire.

Rewards

• Diamond Banner Pattern
• Saint Cunigunde Monument
• Fun Fact: End of the Empire

Fun Fact: End of the Empire

By the 17th century, the empire's power was beginning to wane. Many of its territories broke away and became independent. In this weakened state, the final blow was delivered. The empire was defeated by Napoleon. In 1806, Emperor Francis II had no choice but to abdicate. A millennium after the first medieval Roman emperor had been crowned, the Holy Roman Empire came to an end.

Trivia

• The Holy Roman Empire mastery still mentions researching Marching Drills after the rework in Season Seven, despite that technology having been removed in the same update.