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How could this happen? The whole or majority of the Holy Roman Empire goes Protestant including the south. What happens with Imperial Authority? About a third of the HRE lands were Church Lands (I think) by 1500 and there was quite a lot of church corruption, so if the bishoprics are abolished then I imagine there will be an expansion of princely power. Could we see the HRE consolidate into a nation state?
Also, what happens with the Imperial Title? Maximilian was the first Emperor who didn't need to be crowned by the Pope, could an extension of this tradition and a disagreement with a newly elected Emperor allow Protestantism to receive Imperial backing? Would France try and claim the Imperial Title for Catholicism by arguing that Protestant HRE can no longer claim it?
I guess this has probably been asked before, but please humour me .