Holy Roman Emperors
| Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire |
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|---|---|
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Imperial
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.svg)
Reichsadler (Imperial Eagle) used by the emperors
of the high medieval period |
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Double-headed Reichsadler used by the Habsburg emperors of the early modern period
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| 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 (historically Romanorum Imperator "Emperor of the Romans") was the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire. From an in Carolingian times the title evolved into an elected monarchy chosen by the Prince-electors. Until the Reformation the Emperor elect (imperator electus) was required to be crowned by the Pope before assuming the imperial title.
The title was held in conjunction with the rule of the Kingdom of Germany and the Kingdom of Italy (Imperial Northern Italy). In theory, the Holy Roman Emperor was primus inter pares (first among equals) among the other Catholic monarchs; in practice, a Holy Roman Emperor was only as strong as his army and alliances made him.
Various royal houses of Europe, at different times, effectively became hereditary holders of the title, in particular in later times the Habsburgs. After the Reformation many of the subject states and most of those in Germany were Protestant while the Emperor continued to be Catholic. The Holy Roman Empire was dissolved by the last Emperor (who had additionally styled himself as the Emperor of Austria since 1804) as a result of the collapse of the polity during the Napoleonic wars.
From the time of Constantine I (4th century) the Roman emperors had, with very few exceptions, taken on a role as promoters and defenders of Christianity. The title of Emperor became defunct in Western Europe after the deposition of Romulus Augustulus in AD 476, although the rulers of the "barbarian kingdoms" continued to recognize the Eastern Emperor at least nominally well into the 6th century; both the title and connection between Emperor and Church continued in the Eastern Roman Empire until 1453, when it fell to the forces of the Ottoman Empire.
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