German mediatisation was the major redistribution and reshaping of territorial holdings that took place between 1802 and 1814 in Germany by means of the subsumption and secularisation of a large number of Imperial Estates, prefiguring, precipitating, and continuing after the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire. Most ecclesiastical principalities, free imperial cities, secular principalities, and other minor self-ruling entities of the Holy Roman Empire lost their independent status and were absorbed by the remaining states. By the end of the mediatisation process, the number of German states had been reduced from almost 300 to just 39.
The prince-bishoprics on the eve of secularisation
The Rhineland in 1789: The annexation of the left bank of the Rhine by the French Republic set in motion the mediatisation process
Contemporary engraving celebrating the Treaty of Lunéville
Prussia's territorial losses and gains during the period
An Imperial State or Imperial Estate was a part of the Holy Roman Empire with representation and the right to vote in the Imperial Diet. Rulers of these Estates were able to exercise significant rights and privileges and were "immediate", meaning that the only authority above them was the Holy Roman Emperor. They were thus able to rule their territories with a considerable degree of autonomy.
Seating order of the Perpetual Diet of Regensburg (1663 engraving)
A "Quaternion Eagle" (each quaternion being represented by four coats of arms on the imperial eagle's remiges) Hans Burgkmair, c. 1510. Twelve quaternions are shown, as follows (eight dukes being divided into two quaternions called "pillars" and "vicars", respectively): Seill ("pillars"), Vicari ("vicars"), Marggraven (margraves), Lantgraven (landgraves), Burggraven (burggraves), Graven (counts), Semper freie (nobles), Ritter (knights), Stett (cities),
