The Holy Roman Empire was not a state in that sense.
In the 11th century the area was part of the Holy Roman Empire.
It is then free state of the Holy Roman Empire.
Other say the start of the Holy Roman Empire was 962.
Every year they received less money from the Holy Roman Empire.
His state was a part of the Holy Roman Empire.
It was a member of the Holy Roman Empire from 1495 to 1806.
Two years later the city was lost to Holy Roman Empire for the second time.
Thus they were like the Holy Roman Empire, only more so.
From the 12th century until 1495, it was a county within the Holy Roman Empire.