As time went on, some communities were able to win "imperial freedom": they were subject only to the emperor, not to any intermediate overlord. This was highly desirable, since it meant local people were largely able to govern their own affairs.

The pattern of development was similar all over the Empire, with many cities gaining imperial free status.

Switzerland however was unusual in that some rural communities were granted similar rights. These were made up of peasants who had cleared and settled otherwise unproductive mountainous terrain and who as a result had long been relatively independent of any overlord.