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According to different sources, after the split of the Carolingian Empire in Verdun (843), the widespread concept of Holy Roman Empire was not divided and all the successor entities (including some peripheral ones, like Benevento) considered itself part of the Holy Roman Empire, even if they were not depending on the effective rule of the Holy Roman Emperor.

The concept of the 'Empire' included different political entities for some time until it was finally reduced to the 'real' territory under effective rule of the Emperor. This is clear to me, but I am not sure when the non-HRE entities ceased to considered themselves part of the Empire, specially (as it was the most important) West Francia/France.

Some sources claim that this consideration ceased with the Capetians (West Francia becomes France and his common past with the HRE is overcame), but others claim that this consideration lasted for a couple of centuries, and was still common during the First Crusade.

It is also interesting the confusion regarding if the Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms and the Kingdom of Asturias also shared that concept, even if they were never ruled by the Carolingians.
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