1. Nature and structure
The Reichstag (literally “Imperial Day” but properly “Imperial Diet,” from Latin diaeta, “assembly,” associated by a false etymology with dies, “day,” German Tag) in the early modern Holy Roman Empire was the assembly of the imperial estates. It was by no means a parliament in the contemporary sense. Rather, in accordance with the formula “Kaiser und Reich” (“Emperor and Empire”), it was – together and in conjunction with the Emperor – th…