King of the Romans (Latin: Rex Romanorum) was, since the days of Emperor Henry II (1014–1024), the title used by the ruler of the Kingdom of Germany following his election to the office by the German princes. The title was predominantly a claim by the German kings to become emperor, a title, which in contemporary views of the Middle Ages, also had a religious aspect and was dependent on the coronation by the Pope.
The title originally referred to any elected king who had not yet been granted the Imperial Regalia and title of "Emperor" at the hands of the Pope; later it came to be used solely for the heir apparent to the Imperial throne between his election (during the lifetime of a sitting Emperor) and his succession on the Emperor's death.
Read more about King Of The Romans: Heirs Designate, First French Empire
Famous quotes containing the words king of the, king and/or romans:
“The lion cares less about being king of the beasts than about finding his dinner.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)
“Thou hast brought him a pardon from good King John.””
—Unknown. King John and the Abbot of Canterbury (l. 108)
“The old Romans all wished to have a king over them because they had not yet tasted the sweetness of freedom.”
—Titus Livius (Livy)