The volume presents an accessible summary of several decades of research on the Holy Roman Empire concentrating on its constitutional, religious, and social history between 1495 and 1806. A notable feature is the presentation of succinct summaries by leading continental scholars whose work has largely been inaccessible in English. A 'handbook' for the history of the Holy Roman Empire from 1495-1806, an aid to orientation which reminds historians of where future research should go.