His forward vision included working with armories and perfecting gunpowder artillery armies; he was also called the 'Father of the Landsknechts'. His Landsknecht armies became controlled by his state and were no longer loaned from Barons in his kingdom. His development of enhanced, fluted armor is referenced as 'Maximilian armor'.

Often called 'The Last Knight', Maximilian revered the Age of Chivalry, its codes and resplendent tournaments. Venerating the past, he supported and participated in great tourneys known as 'Maximilian's Triumph'. Knights, princes, and kings hastened to these extraordinary events to see and be seen and to demonstrate skill in martial prowess.

The most gifted artists of his day were assigned to create a series of woodblock prints illustrating the tournaments. Elaborate representations of knights of all nations with national flag armaments, exotic animals, soldier carts and carriages as artistic flights of fact and fantasy would be posted throughout the empire.

Illustrations of Maximilian's Triumph were eventually also made into books beautifully describing this period in European history. Maximilian never saw the completed work which was finished in 1524, five years after his demise.