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 of, king and/or romans:
“The lion cares less about being king of the beasts than about finding his dinner.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)
“Then Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered, “You say so.””
—Bible: New Testament, Luke 23:3.
“I am the king of courtesy ... a Corinthian, a lad of mettle, a good boy.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“I’ll stay by your side until you confess. And if you don’t, I’ll feed you to the villagers like the Romans fed Christians to the lions.”
—Willis Cooper. Rowland V. Lee. Krogh (Lionel Atwill)