Holy Roman Emperors facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire
Imperial
Reichsadler (Imperial Eagle) used by the emperors of the high medieval period
Double-headed Reichsadler used by the Habsburg emperors of the early modern period
Details
Style	His Imperial Majesty
First monarch	Charlemagne
Last monarch	Francis II
Formation	25 December 800
Abolition	6 August 1806
Appointer	see Coronation of the Holy Roman Emperor
Pretender(s)	Position abolished

The Holy Roman Emperor was the main ruler of the Holy Roman Empire. This important title was almost always held by the ruler of the Kingdom of Germany.

At first, the emperor had almost total power, like a dictator. This was during the time of the Carolingian Empire. But over time, the title changed. It became an elected monarchy. This meant that powerful princes, called prince-electors, chose the emperor.

Many people in Catholic Europe believed the Holy Roman Emperor ruled because God wanted him to. However, emperors often disagreed with or even fought against the Pope. A famous example is the Investiture Controversy. In theory, the emperor was "first among equals" among other Catholic kings. But in reality, an emperor's power depended on his army and his allies.

After the Protestant Reformation, many states in Germany became Protestant. But the emperor usually remained Catholic. For a long time, an emperor had to be crowned by the Pope to officially get the title. The Habsburg family held the title for the longest time. The Holy Roman Empire ended in 1806. This happened when Francis II gave up his title during the Napoleonic Wars.

What Was the Holy Roman Emperor's Title?

Coats of arms of prince electors surround the Holy Roman Emperor's; from flags book of Jacob Köbel (1545). Electors voted in an Imperial Diet for a new Holy Roman Emperor.

The title of "Emperor" had a long history. Since the 300s, Roman emperors were seen as protectors of Christianity. The title of Emperor in Western Europe disappeared after 476 AD. However, it continued in the Byzantine Empire until 1453.

In 800 AD, the title of Emperor was brought back in the West. This also brought back the idea of emperors and popes working together. But as the Pope's power grew, they often clashed. The most famous fight was the Investiture Controversy in the 1000s. This was between Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII.

Charlemagne was crowned "Emperor of the Romans" by Pope Leo III in 800. His successors kept the title until 924. Then, there was a gap until Otto the Great was crowned in 962. Under Otto and later emperors, much of what is now Germany became part of the Holy Roman Empire.

German princes would elect one of their own as "King of the Germans." Then, the Pope would crown him emperor. After Charles V was crowned in 1530, later emperors were called "elected Emperor." This was because they weren't crowned by the Pope. But everyone still called them "emperors."

The word "Holy" was added to the name of the Roman Empire in 1157. This happened under Frederick I Barbarossa. Charles V was the last emperor to be crowned by the Pope. Francis II was the last Holy Roman Emperor. He gave up his title in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars.

The full title was "August Emperor of the Romans." When Charlemagne was crowned, his title included "Holy" and "Roman." The word "Roman" showed that these emperors were seen as the heirs of the old Western Roman Empire. This was true even though the Eastern Roman Empire still existed. In German history, the term "Roman-German emperor" is used. This helps tell them apart from ancient Roman emperors. It also separates them from later German emperors.

How Were Holy Roman Emperors Chosen?

Illustration of the election of Henry VII (27 November 1308) showing (left to right) the Archbishop of Cologne, Archbishop of Mainz, Archbishop of Trier, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Saxony, Margrave of Brandenburg and King of Bohemia (1341 miniature).

The kings of Germany were chosen by election starting in the early 900s. This was different from countries like France, where kingship was usually passed down in families. In Germany, the kingship was only partly hereditary. This meant that even if a family ruled for a while, the next ruler still had to be elected.

The election process meant that the person who wanted to be king had to make promises. These promises were made to the powerful princes who voted. This helped keep the voters happy.

It's not clear exactly when the system of seven prince-electors started. But by the 1200s, it was a custom. A letter from Pope Urban IV in 1263 mentioned that seven princes had the right to elect the King and future Emperor.

The seven prince-electors were officially named in the Golden Bull of 1356. They were:

• The Archbishops of Mainz, Trier, and Cologne.
• The King of Bohemia.
• The Count Palatine of the Rhine.
• The Duke of Saxony.
• The Margrave of Brandenburg.

After 1438, the emperors usually came from the House of Habsburg family. There was one short exception with Charles VII from the House of Wittelsbach family.

Maximilian I (who ruled from 1508–1519) and the emperors after him stopped traveling to Rome to be crowned by the Pope. Maximilian called himself "Elected Roman Emperor." This title was used by all later emperors who were not crowned by the Pope. Only Charles V, who came right after Maximilian, was crowned by the Pope.

Over time, the group of electors changed a bit. For example, the Duke of Bavaria became an elector in 1621. Later, the Elector Palatine was restored in 1648. Brunswick-Lüneburg was added as a ninth elector in 1692. The system was changed again in 1803, just before the Empire ended.

Who Were the Holy Roman Emperors?

There were 47 German monarchs who were crowned as emperors. This happened from Charlemagne in 800 until the Holy Roman Empire ended in 1806. Some rulers were crowned "King of the Romans" but never became emperor. Examples include Conrad I of Germany and Henry I the Fowler in the 900s.

Historians often see a link between the Carolingian Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. However, many consider the coronation of Otto I in 962 as the true start of the Holy Roman Empire. The term "Holy Roman Empire" itself wasn't used until the 1200s.

Early Emperors (Before 962)

The first emperors in the West, before 962, were part of different families.

• Charlemagne was crowned in 800. He was a powerful king of the Franks.
• His son, Louis I, followed him.
• Later, emperors like Lothair I and Louis II ruled parts of the empire.
• Other emperors from different families, like the Widonids and Bosonids, also held the title for short periods.
• Berengar I was the last emperor before a gap in the title.

Holy Roman Emperors (After 962)

There was no emperor in the West between 924 and 962. The Holy Roman Empire is usually considered to have truly begun with the crowning of the Saxon king Otto I.

The position was officially elective. This means emperors were chosen, not just born into the role. However, sometimes the title stayed within the same family for generations. For example, the Salian dynasty had four emperors in the 1000s.

From the end of the Salian dynasty until the mid-1400s, emperors came from many different German families. It was rare for the throne to pass from father to son. This changed with the House of Habsburg. An unbroken line of Habsburgs held the Imperial throne until the 1700s. Later, a branch called the House of Habsburg-Lorraine continued this tradition.

The Habsburgs also stopped the tradition of being crowned by the Pope. Starting with Ferdinand I, all later emperors did not have a traditional papal coronation.

Some of the main dynasties that ruled the Holy Roman Empire were:

• Ottonian dynasty (962–1024): Started with Otto I.
• Salian dynasty (1027–1125): Included emperors like Conrad II and Henry IV.
• Staufen dynasty (1155–1250): Featured powerful rulers like Frederick I Barbarossa and Frederick II.
• House of Luxembourg (1312–1437, with gaps): Included Henry VII and Charles IV.
• House of Habsburg (1440–1740, with one exception): This family held the title for a very long time, with emperors like Frederick III and Charles V.
• House of Wittelsbach (1742–1745): Briefly held by Charles VII.
• House of Habsburg-Lorraine (1745–1806): The final dynasty, including Francis I and Francis II.

The Emperor's Coronation Ceremony

The emperor was crowned in a special ceremony. This was traditionally done by the Pope in Rome. Without this coronation, a king could not call himself Emperor, even if he had all the power.

In 1508, Pope Julius II allowed Maximilian I to use the title of Emperor without being crowned in Rome. However, his title was "elected Emperor of the Romans." Maximilian's successors used the same title. Maximilian's first successor, Charles V, was the last emperor to be crowned by the Pope.

Here are some of the emperors and their coronation details:

Images for kids

• 

  Depiction of Charlemagne in a 12th-century stained glass window, Strasbourg Cathedral, now at Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame.

See also

In Spanish: Emperador del Sacro Imperio Romano Germánico para niños