Frankfurt is a major city of the Holy Roman Empire, being the seat of imperial elections since 885 and the city for imperial coronations from 1562 (previously in Free Imperial City of Aachen) until 1792.

The Frankfurter Messe (Frankfurt Trade Fair) is first mentioned in 1150.

In 1240, Emperor Friedrich II had granted an Imperial privilege to its visitors, meaning they will be protected by the Empire.

The fair becomes particularly important when similar fairs in French Beaucaire lose attraction around 1380.

Book trade fairs begin in1478.

In 1372 Frankfurt becomes a Reichsstadt (Imperial Free City), i.e.

directly subordinate to the Holy Roman Emperor and not to a regional ruler or a local nobleman.

It remains a free city until the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire in 1805/6.