Was HRE really that powerful in 1066?

[cyberseer]

I'm playing as the Duke of Burgundy in 1066 and the Holy Roman Emperor has by far the most power and a giant realm.

Is this really historical? Did the emperor really command the biggest armies in Europe in that time?

Even to the time of Philip II August, the King of France has 6000 soldiers while the HRE Kaiser has 15000. Philip August was able to beat the HRE and England. So how could this be historical?

[rossobianco]

You can't have 100% historically accurate troop strength, especially not outside of the starting dates. But the 1066 start is probably somewhat accurate. Consider that King Philip I. of France lost in 1071 to Robert I. Count of Flanders in the Battle of Cassel.
Later dates like the time of Philip II. are subject to a lot or RNG and your actions.

[Fletcher]

A lot of numbers for troops are misleading in comparison to real life. At that time, the Holy Roman Empire certainly had 15000 or even more soldiers, but it doesn't account for the real life troubles of garrisoning, fighting small conflicts/raids, disease/economic troubles and more. Not to mention that most wars fought at that time would not mobilize the entire countries manpower, but mainly only a part of it or else there would be such things as reduced production or crop failure back home. It was unrealistic for the emperor to call thousands upon thousands of levied soldiers to go campaigning to take a single parcel of land, for most of those soldiers would be unneeded or a downright detriment. Upkeep and maintenance are expensive.

[MrKunk]

Originally posted by cyberseer:

I'm playing as the Duke of Burgundy in 1066 and the Holy Roman Emperor has by far the most power and a giant realm.

Is this really historical? Did the emperor really command the biggest armies in Europe in that time?

Even to the time of Philip II August, the King of France has 6000 soldiers while the HRE Kaiser has 15000. Philip August was able to beat the HRE and England. So how could this be historical?

HRE was strong, but the real pope never had the authority the game pope has.. The real pope could influence christian/ catholic European kings and suggest that they do things. But they did not have the control and military strength to force it. Unless they gained control through predatory lending.

[cyberseer]

UPDATE: Philip August did beat both England and the HRE in the game hahaha