Reichsständen
Reichsstände was a term used in the Holy Roman Empire to denote the constituent bodies that held a vote in the Imperial Diet, the legislative assembly of the Empire. These estates were not individuals but rather corporate entities, such as principalities, bishoprics, imperial cities, and abbeys. Their membership in the Imperial Diet was determined by their status as immediate vassals of the Emperor.
The composition and influence of the Reichsstände evolved over centuries. Initially, the Imperial Diet was a
The Imperial Diet was divided into three colleges: the college of electors, the college of princes (both