Franconian Circle

Franconian Circle
*Fränkischer Reichskreis*
Franconian Circle Fränkischer Reichskreis
Imperial Circle of the Holy Roman Empire;
1500–1806
	Flag
	; The Franconian Circle as at the beginning of the 16th century within the Holy Roman Empire
Historical era	Early modern period
• Established	1500
• Disestablished	1806
Today part of	Germany

The Franconian Circle (German: Fränkischer Reichskreis) was an Imperial Circle established in 1500 in the centre of the Holy Roman Empire. It comprised the eastern part of the former Franconian stem duchy—roughly corresponding with the present-day Bavarian Regierungsbezirke of Upper, Middle and Lower Franconia—while western Rhenish Franconia belonged to the Upper Rhenish Circle. The title of a "Duke of Franconia" was claimed by the Würzburg bishops.