After Charlemagne
•After Charlemagne’s death, his kingdom was divided among his three sons.
•The western part developed into one nation – France.
•The eastern parts began to break down into many smaller parts – although they
technically remained
part of the Holy Roman Empire.
•The Holy Roman Emperors eventually were elected to the office by the heads of
the smaller realms
that made up the Holy Roman Empire. This often meant that the Holy Roman
Emperors were
weak and much of the real power lay in the hands of the princes who elected
him.