The Imperial power, in consequence, found the lower nobility a bulwark against its princely vassals.

Economic changes, the suddenly increased demand for money owing to the rise of the "world-market," new inventions in the art of war, new methods of fighting, the rapidly growing importance of artillery, and the increase of the mercenary soldier, had rendered the lower nobility, as an institution, a factor in the political situation which was fast becoming negligible.

The abortive campaign of Franz von Sickingen in 1523 only showed its hopeless weakness.

The _Reichsregiment_, or Imperial governing council, a body instituted by Maximilian, had lamentably failed to effect anything towards cementing together the various parts of the unwieldy fabric.

Finally, at the Reichstag held in Nuernberg, in December 1522, at which all the estates were represented, the _Reichsregiment_, to all intents and purposes, collapsed.
The Reichstag in question was summoned ostensibly for the purpose of raising a subsidy for the Hungarians in their struggle against the advancing power of the Turks.