Frederick had been very careful regarding the reform movement in the empire. For most of his reign, he considered reform as a threat to his imperial prerogatives. He avoided direct confrontation, which might lead to humiliation if the princes refused to give way. After 1440, the reform of the Empire and Church was sustained and led by local and regional powers, particularly the territorial princes. In his last years, however, there was more pressure on him taking action from a higher level. Berthold von Henneberg, the Archbishop of Mainz, who spoke on behalf of reform-minded princes (who wanted to reform the Empire without strengthening the imperial hand), capitalized on Frederick's desire to secure the imperial election for Maximilian. Thus in his last years, he presided over the initial phase of Imperial Reform, which would mainly unfold under his son Maximilian. Maximilian himself was more open to reform, although naturally he also wanted to preserve and enhance imperial prerogatives. After Frederick retired to Linz in 1488, as a compromise, Maximilian acted as mediator between the princes and his father. When he attained sole rule after Frederick's death, he would continued this policy of brokerage, acting as the impartial judge between options suggested by the princes.
Frederick had been very careful regarding the reform movement in the empire For most of his reign he considered reform as a threat to his imperial prerogatives He avoided direct confrontation which might lead to humiliation if the princes refused to give way After 1440 the reform of the Empire and Church was sustained and led by local and regional powers particularly the territorial princes In his last years however there was more pressure on him taking action from a higher level Berthold von Henneberg the Archbishop of Mainz who spoke on behalf of reform-minded princes (who wanted to reform the Empire without strengthening the imperial hand) capitalized on Frederick's desire to secure the imperial election for Maximilian Thus in his last years he presided over the initial phase of Imperial Reform which would mainly unfold under his son Maximilian Maximilian himself was more open to reform although naturally he also wanted to preserve and enhance imperial prerogatives After Frederick retired to Linz in 1488 as a compromise Maximilian acted as mediator between the princes and his father When he attained sole rule after Frederick's death he would continued this policy of brokerage acting as the impartial judge between options suggested by the princes