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{{Short description|Ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 800 to 1806}} {{Distinguish|Roman emperor}} {{For|the racehorse|Holy Roman Emperor (horse)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox former monarchy|royal_title=Emperor|realm=the Romans|native_name={{Lang|la|Imperator Romanorum}}<br />{{Lang|de|Kaiser der Römer}}|border=imperial|coatofarms=Holy Roman Empire Arms-double head.svg|coatofarmssize=110|coatofarmscaption=[[Double-headed eagle|Double-headed]] ''Reichsadler'' used by the [[Habsburg]] emperors of the [[early modern period]]|image=Hans_Burgkmair_d._Ä._005.jpg|caption='''Longest reigning'''<br />'''[[Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick III]]'''<br />19 March 1452 – 19 August 1493|first_monarch=[[Charlemagne]] (AD 800 formation)<br />[[Otto the Great]] (AD 962 formation)|last_monarch=[[Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor|Francis II]]|style=<!--[[His Imperial Majesty]]{{cn}}-->|residence=|appointer=|began=25 December 800|ended=6 August 1806|pretender=}}

The '''Holy Roman Emperor''', originally and officially the '''[[Emperor of the Romans]]''' ({{langx|la|[[Imperator]] Romanorum}}; {{langx|de|[[Kaiser]] der Römer}}) during the [[Middle Ages]], and also known as the '''Roman-German Emperor''' since the [[early modern period]]<ref name="German-Roman">{{Cite book|title=The New International Encyclopædia|volume=10|date=1927|page=675}}; {{Cite book|author-link=Carlton J. H. Hayes|first=Carlton J. H.|last=Hayes|title=A Political and Cvltvral History of Modern Europe|volume=1|date=1932|page=225}}</ref> ({{langx|la|Imperator Germanorum}}; {{langx|de|Römisch-Deutscher Kaiser}}), was the ruler and [[head of state]] of the [[Holy Roman Empire]]. The title was held in conjunction with the title of [[King of Italy#Kingdom of Italy (781–962)|King of Italy]] (''Rex Italiae'') from the 8th to the 16th century, and, almost without interruption, with the title of [[King of Germany]] (''Rex Teutonicorum'', {{Lit|King of the [[Teutons]]}}) throughout the 12th to 18th centuries.<ref>Peter Hamish Wilson, ''The Holy Roman Empire, 1495–1806'', MacMillan Press 1999, London, p. 2. Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn: The Menace of the Herd or Procrustes at Large – p. 164. Robert Edwin Herzstein, Robert Edwin Herzstein: "The Holy Roman Empire in the Middle Ages: universal state or German catastrophe?"{{year needed|date=January 2019}}{{page needed|date=January 2019}}</ref>

The Holy Roman Emperor title provided the highest prestige among [[Christianity in the Middle Ages|medieval Catholic monarchs]], because the empire was considered by the [[Catholic Church]] to be [[Translatio imperii|the only successor]] of the [[Roman Empire]] during the [[Middle Ages]] and the [[early modern period]]. Thus, in theory and diplomacy, the emperors were considered {{lang|la|[[primus inter pares]]}}{{em dash}}first among equals{{em dash}}among other Catholic monarchs across Europe.<ref>{{cite book|author=Terry Breverton|author-link=Terry Breverton|title=Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Tudors but Were Afraid to Ask|publisher=[[Amberley Publishing]]|year=2014|page=104|isbn=978-1-4456-3845-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bQ4yAQAAIAAJ&q=%22catholic+church%22+%22holy+roman+empire%22+%22successor+of+the+roman+empire%22&pg=PP36}}</ref>

From an [[autocracy]] in [[Carolingian]] times (AD 800–924), the title by the 13th century evolved into an [[elective monarchy]], with the emperor chosen by the [[Prince-elector|prince-electors]]. Various royal houses of Europe, at different times, became ''de facto'' hereditary holders of the title, notably the [[Ottonian dynasty|Ottonians]] (962–1024) and the [[Salian dynasty|Salians]] (1027–1125). Following the late medieval [[Interregnum (Holy Roman Empire)|crisis of government]], the [[Habsburg|Habsburgs]] kept possession of the title (with only [[Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor|one interruption]]) from 1440 to 1806. The final emperors were from the [[House of Habsburg-Lorraine]], from 1765 to 1806. The Holy Roman Empire was dissolved by [[Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor|Francis II]], after a devastating defeat by [[Napoleon]] at the [[Battle of Austerlitz]].

The emperor was widely perceived to rule by [[Divine right of kings|divine right]], though he often contradicted or rivaled the [[pope]], most notably during the [[Investiture controversy]]. The Holy Roman Empire never had an [[empress regnant]], though women such as [[Theophanu]] and [[Maria Theresa]] exerted strong influence. Throughout its history, the position was viewed as a defender of the Catholic faith. Until [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian I]] in 1508, the Emperor-elect (''Imperator electus'') was required to be crowned by the pope before assuming the imperial title. [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] was the last to be crowned by the pope in 1530. There were short periods in history when the electoral college was dominated by [[Protestants]], and the electors usually voted in their own political interest. However, even after the [[Reformation]], the elected emperor was always a [[Catholic]].

== Title ==
{{See also|Coronation of the Holy Roman Emperor}} {{Further|Emperor|Translatio imperii|Problem of two emperors}}
[[File:Wapen_1545_Kaiserwappen_des_Heiligen_Römischen_Reichs_Polychromie.jpg|thumb|[[Coats of arms of the Holy Roman Empire#Prince-electors|Coats of arms]] of prince electors surround the [[Coats of arms of the Holy Roman Empire#Imperial Coat of arms|imperial coat of arms]]; from a 1545 armorial. Electors voted in an Imperial Diet for a new Holy Roman Emperor.]]
[[File:Empereur_en_majesté_(musée_de_l'Oeuvre_Notre-Dame,_Strasbourg)_(36005712991).jpg|thumb|Depiction of [[Charlemagne]] in a 12th-century stained glass window, [[Strasbourg Cathedral]], now at [[Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame]].]]
From the time of [[Constantine I]] ({{Reign|306|337}}), the [[Roman Emperor|Roman Emperors]] had, with very few exceptions, taken on a role as promoters and defenders of [[State church of the Roman Empire|Christianity]]. The [[Constantine the Great and Christianity|reign of Constantine]] established a precedent for the position of the Christian emperor in the [[Great Church]]. Emperors considered themselves responsible to God for the spiritual health of their subjects, and after Constantine they had a duty to help the Church define and maintain [[Orthodoxy#Christianity|orthodoxy]]. The emperor's role was to enforce doctrine, root out [[Heresy in Christianity|heresies]], and uphold ecclesiastical unity.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Richards|first=Jeffrey|title=The Popes and the Papacy in the Early Middle Ages, 476–752|location=London|publisher=Routledge & Kegan Paul|date=1979|pages=14–15}}</ref> Both the title and connection between Emperor and [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Church]] continued in the [[Byzantine Empire|Eastern Roman Empire]] throughout the medieval period ([[Empire of Nicaea|in exile]] during 1204&#x2013;1261). The [[First seven ecumenical councils|ecumenical councils]] of the 5th to 8th centuries were convoked by the [[Eastern Roman Emperor|Eastern Roman Emperors]].{{Sfn|Richards|1979|p=16}}

In [[Western Roman Empire|Western Europe]], the title of ''Emperor in the West'' lapsed after the death of [[Julius Nepos]] in 480, although the rulers of the [[barbarian kingdoms]] continued to recognize the authority of the Eastern Emperor at least nominally well into the 6th century. While the reconquest of [[Justinian I]] had re-established [[Byzantine Italy|Byzantine presence in the Italian Peninsula]], religious frictions existed with the [[Papacy]] who sought dominance over the Church of [[Constantinople]]. Toward the end of the 8th century, the Papacy still recognised the ruler at Constantinople as the Roman Emperor, though Byzantine military support in Italy had increasingly waned, leading to the Papacy to look to the [[Frankish Kingdom|Franks]] for protection. In 800 [[Pope Leo III]] owed a great debt to [[Charlemagne]], the [[King of the Franks]] and [[King of Italy#Kingdom of Italy (781–962)|King of Italy]], for securing his life and position. By this time, the Eastern Emperor [[Constantine VI]] had been deposed in 797 and replaced as monarch by his mother, [[Irene of Athens|Irene]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Bryce|first=James|author-link=James Bryce, 1st Viscount Bryce|title=The Holy Roman Empire|orig-date=1864|publisher=Macmillan|date=1968|pages=62–64}}</ref>

Under the pretext that a woman could not rule the empire, Pope Leo III declared the throne vacant and crowned Charlemagne Emperor of the Romans ({{Lang|la|Imperator Romanorum}}), the successor of Constantine VI as Roman emperor, using the concept of ''[[translatio imperii]]''.<ref name=":0" /> On his coins, the name and title used by Charlemagne is ''Karolus Imperator Augustus''. In documents, he used ''Imperator Augustus Romanum gubernans Imperium'' ("Emperor Augustus, governing the Roman Empire") and {{Lang|la|serenissimus Augustus a Deo coronatus, magnus pacificus Imperator Romanorum gubernans Imperium}} ("most serene Augustus crowned by God, great peaceful emperor governing the empire of the Romans"). The Eastern Empire eventually relented to recognizing Charlemagne and his successors as emperors, but as "Frankish" and "German emperors", at no point referring to them as Roman, a label they reserved for themselves.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Klewitz|first=Hans-Walter|year=1943|title=Eduard Eichmann, die Kaiserkrönung im Abendland. Ein Beitrag zur, Geistesgeschichte des Mittelalters, mit besonderer Berücksichtigung des kirchlichen Rechts, der Liturgie und der Kirchenpolitik|journal=Zeitschrift der Savigny-Stiftung für Rechtsgeschichte: Kanonistische Abteilung|volume=32|pages=509–525|doi=10.7767/zrgka.1943.32.1.509|s2cid=183386465}}</ref>

The title of emperor in the West implied recognition by the pope. As the power of the papacy grew during the Middle Ages, popes and emperors came into conflict over church administration. The best-known and most bitter conflict was that known as the [[investiture controversy]], fought during the 11th century between [[Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry&nbsp;IV]] and [[Pope Gregory VII]].

After the coronation of Charlemagne, his successors maintained the title until the death of [[Berengar I of Italy]] in 924. The comparatively brief interregnum between 924 and the coronation of [[Otto the Great]] in 962 is taken as marking the transition from the [[Frankish Empire]] to the [[Holy Roman Empire]]. Under the [[Ottonians]], much of the former [[Carolingian]] kingdom of [[Eastern Francia]] fell within the boundaries of the Holy Roman Empire.

Since 911, the various [[Princes of the Holy Roman Empire|German princes]] had elected the ''[[Kingdom of Germany|King of the Germans]]'' from among their peers. The King of the Germans would then be crowned as emperor following the precedent set by Charlemagne, during the period of 962&#x2013;1530. [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] was the last emperor to be crowned by the pope, and his successor, [[Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand I]], merely adopted the title of "Emperor elect" in 1558. The final Holy Roman emperor-elect, [[Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor|Francis&nbsp;II]], abdicated in 1806 during the [[Napoleonic War|Napoleonic Wars]] that saw the Empire's final dissolution.

The term ''sacrum'' (i.e., "holy") in connection with the German Roman Empire was first used in 1157 under [[Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick&nbsp;I Barbarossa]].<ref>{{Cite book|first=Peter|last=Moraw|title=Heiliges Reich|series=[[Lexikon des Mittelalters]]|location=Munich & Zurich|publisher=Artemis|date=1977–1999|volume=4|at=Columns 2025–2028}}</ref>

The Holy Roman Emperor's standard designation was "August Emperor of the Romans" (''Romanorum Imperator Augustus''). When Charlemagne was crowned in 800, he was styled as "most serene Augustus, crowned by God, great and pacific emperor, governing the Roman Empire," thus constituting the elements of "Holy" and "Roman" in the imperial title.{{Sfn|Bryce|1968|page=530}}

The word ''Roman'' was a reflection of the principle of ''[[translatio imperii]]'' (or in this case ''restauratio imperii'') that regarded the Holy Roman emperors as the inheritors of the title of emperor of the [[Western Roman Empire]].

In German-language historiography, the term ''Römisch-deutscher Kaiser'' ("Roman-German emperor") is used to distinguish the title from that of [[Roman emperor]] on one hand, and that of [[German emperor]] (''Deutscher Kaiser'') on the other. The English term "Holy Roman Emperor" is a modern shorthand for "emperor of the Holy Roman Empire" not corresponding to the historical style or title, i.e., the adjective "holy" is not intended as modifying "emperor"; the English term "Holy Roman Emperor" gained currency in the interbellum period (the 1920s to 1930s); formerly the title had also been rendered as "German-Roman emperor" in English.<ref name="German-Roman" />

== Succession ==
{{Further|Imperial election|Italienzug|Family tree of the German monarchs|List of royal and imperial elections in the Holy Roman Empire}}
[[File:Balduineum_Wahl_Heinrich_VII.jpg|right|thumb|Illustration of the election of [[Henry VII, Holy Roman Emperor|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 (''[[Codex Balduini Trevirorum]]'', {{Circa|1340}}).]]
The [[elective monarchy]] of the [[Kingdom of Germany]] goes back to the early 10th century, the election of [[Conrad I of Germany]] in 911 following the death without issue of [[Louis the Child]], the last [[Carolingian]] ruler of Germany. [[Imperial election|Elections]] meant the kingship of Germany was only partially hereditary, unlike the kingship of [[Kingdom of England|England]], although sovereignty frequently remained in a dynasty until there were no more male successors. The process of an election meant that the prime candidate had to make concessions, by which the voters were kept on his side, which was known as ''Wahlkapitulationen'' ([[electoral capitulation]]).

Conrad was elected by the [[Stem duchies|German dukes]], and it is not known precisely when the system of seven [[prince-electors]] was established. The papal decree ''Venerabilem'' by [[Innocent III]] (1202), addressed to [[Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen]], establishes the election procedure by (unnamed) princes of the realm, reserving for the pope the right to approve of the candidates. A letter of [[Pope Urban IV]] (1263), in the context of the disputed vote of 1256 and the subsequent [[Interregnum (HRE)|interregnum]], suggests that by "[[Time immemorial|immemorial custom]]", seven princes had the right to elect the king and future emperor. The seven prince-electors are named in the [[Golden Bull of 1356]]: the [[archbishop of Mainz]], the [[archbishop of Trier]], the [[archbishop of Cologne]], the [[king of Bohemia]], the [[count palatine of the Rhine]], the [[duke of Saxony]] and the [[margrave of Brandenburg]].

After 1438, the title remained in the House of [[Habsburg]] and [[Habsburg-Lorraine]], with the brief exception of [[Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles VII]], who was a [[Wittelsbach]]. [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian I]] (emperor 1508–1519) and his successors no longer traveled to Rome to be crowned as emperor by the pope. Maximilian, therefore, named himself elected Roman emperor (''Erwählter Römischer Kaiser'') in 1508 with papal approval. This title was in use by all his uncrowned successors. Of his successors, only [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]], the immediate one, received a [[Coronation of Charles V|papal coronation]].

The elector palatine's seat was conferred on the [[duke of Bavaria]] in 1621, but in 1648, in the wake of the [[Thirty Years' War]], the elector palatine was restored, as the eighth elector. The [[Electorate of Hanover]] was added as a ninth elector in 1692, confirmed by the Imperial Diet in 1708. The whole college was reshuffled in the [[German mediatization]] of 1803 with a total of ten electors, a mere three years before the dissolution of the Empire.

== List of emperors ==
{{See also|List of German monarchs}} This list includes all 47 German monarchs crowned from Charlemagne until the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire (800–1806).

Several rulers were crowned [[king of the Romans]] (king of Germany) but not emperor, although they styled themselves thus, among whom were: [[Conrad I of Germany|Conrad I]] and [[Henry the Fowler]] in the 10th century, and [[Conrad IV]], [[Rudolf I of Germany|Rudolf I]], [[Adolf, King of the Romans|Adolf]] and [[Albert I of Germany|Albert I]] during the ''interregnum'' of the late 13th century.

Traditional historiography assumes a continuity between the [[Carolingian Empire]] and the Holy Roman Empire, while a modern convention takes the coronation of Otto I in 962 as the starting point of the Holy Roman Empire (although the term ''Sacrum Imperium Romanum'' was not in use before the 13th century).

=== Frankish emperors ===
{{Further|List of Frankish kings#Carolingians}} On Christmas Day, 800, Charlemagne, King of the Franks, was crowned Emperor of the Romans ({{Lang|la|Imperator Romanorum}}) by [[Pope Leo III]], in opposition to [[Irene of Athens|Empress Irene]], who was then ruling the Roman Empire from Constantinople. Charlemagne's descendants from the [[Carolingian Dynasty]] continued to be crowned Emperor until 899, excepting a brief period when the Imperial crown was awarded to the [[Widonids|Widonid]] [[Duke of Spoleto|Dukes of Spoleto]]. There is some contention as to whether the Holy Roman Empire dates as far back as Charlemagne, some histories consider the [[Carolingian Empire]] to be a distinct polity from the later Holy Roman Empire as established under Otto I in 962.

==== 800–888: Carolingian dynasty ====
{{Main|Carolingian dynasty}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Portrait
!Name
{{Small|Lifespan}}
! colspan="2" |Reign
!Relationship with predecessor(s)
!Other title(s)
|-
|[[File:Charlemagne_denier_Mayence_812_814.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Charlemagne]] (Charles I)
{{Small|748–814}}
|25 December 800
|28 January 814
|None
| class="small" |
* [[List of Frankish kings|King of the Franks]]
* [[King of Italy|King of the Lombards]]
|-
|[[File:Ludwik_I_Pobożny.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Louis the Pious|Louis I]], ''the Pious''
{{Small|778–840}}
|11 September 813<ref>Egon Boshof: ''Ludwig der Fromme''. Darmstadt 1996, p. 89</ref>
|20 June 840
|Son of [[Charlemagne|Charles I]]
| class="small" |
* [[List of Frankish kings|King of the Franks]]
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[King of Aquitaine]]
|-
|[[File:Lothar_I.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Lothair I]]
{{Small|795–855}}
|5 April 823
|29 September 855
|Son of [[Louis the Pious|Louis I]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[Middle Francia|King of Middle Francia]]
|-
|[[File:Louis_II_of_Italy.png|100x100px]]
|[[Louis II of Italy|Louis II]]
{{Small|825–875}}
|29 September 855
|12 August 875
|Son of [[Lothair I]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Italy]]
|-
|[[File:Карл_Лысый.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Charles the Bald|Charles II]], ''the Bald''
{{Small|823–877}}
|25 December 875
|6 October 877
|Son of [[Louis the Pious|Louis I]], younger half-brother of [[Lothair I]]
| class="small" |
* [[West Francia|King of West Francia]]
* [[King of Italy]]
|-
|[[File:Sceau_de_Charles_le_gros.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Charles the Fat|Charles III]], ''the Fat''
{{Small|839–888}}
|12 February 881
|13 January 888
|Grandson of [[Louis the Pious|Louis I]], nephew of [[Charles the Bald]]
| class="small" |
* [[West Francia|King of West Francia]]
* [[List of German monarchs|King of East Francia]]
* [[King of Italy]]
|}

==== 891–898: Widonid dynasty ====
{{Main|Widonids}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Portrait
!Name
{{Small|Lifespan}}
! colspan="2" |Reign
!Relationship with predecessor(s)
!Other title(s)
|-
|[[File:Wido_rex_Italiae.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Guy III of Spoleto|Guy]]
{{Small|?–894}}
|21 February 891
|12 December 894
|2nd Great-grandson of [[Charlemagne|Charles I]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[Duke of Spoleto]]
|-
|[[File:Lambert_de_Spolète.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Lambert of Italy|Lambert]]
{{Small|880–898}}
|30 April 892
|15 October 898
|Son of [[Guy III of Spoleto|Guy]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[Duke of Spoleto]]
|}

==== 896–899: Carolingian dynasty ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Portrait
!Name
{{Small|Lifespan}}
! colspan="2" |Reign
!Relationship with predecessor(s)
!Other title(s)
|-
|[[File:Seal_of_Arnulph_of_Carinthia_(896).jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Arnulf of Carinthia|Arnulf]]
{{Small|850–899}}
|22 February 896
|8 December 899
|Nephew of [[Charles the Fat|Charles III]]
Great-grandson of [[Louis the Pious|Louis I]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[List of Frankish kings|King of East Francia]]
|}

==== 901–905: Bosonid dynasty ====
{{Main|Bosonids}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Portrait
!Name
{{Small|Lifespan}}
! colspan="2" |Reign
!Relationship with predecessor(s)
!Other title(s)
|-
|[[File:Coins_of_Pope_Benedict_IV_and_Emperor_Louis_III.PNG|100x100px]]
|[[Louis the Blind|Louis III]], ''the Blind''
{{Small|880–928}}
|22 February 901
|21 July 905
|Grandson of [[Louis II of Italy|Louis II]]
Adopted son of [[Charles the Fat|Charles III]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[List of kings of Burgundy|King of Provence]]
|}

==== 915–924: Unruoching dynasty ====
{{Main|Unruochings}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Portrait
!Name
{{Small|Lifespan}}
! colspan="2" |Reign
!Relationship with predecessor(s)
!Other title(s)
|-
|[[File:Berengar_I_on_a_seal.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Berengar I of Italy|Berengar]]
{{Small|845–924}}
|December 915
|7 April 924
|Grandson of [[Louis the Pious|Louis I]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[Dukes and margraves of Friuli|Margrave of Friuli]]
|}

=== Holy Roman Emperors ===
While earlier Frankish and Italian monarchs had been crowned as Roman emperors, the actual [[Holy Roman Empire]] is often considered to have begun with the crowning of [[Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto I]], at the time [[Duke of Saxony]] and [[King of Germany]]. Because the King of Germany was an elected position, being elected King of Germany was functionally a pre-requisite to being crowned Holy Roman Emperor. By the 13th century, the [[Prince-elector|Prince-electors]] became formalized as a specific body of seven electors, consisting of three bishops and four secular princes. Through the middle 15th century, the electors chose freely from among a number of dynasties. A period of dispute during the second half of the 13th century over the kingship of Germany led to there being no emperor crowned for several decades, though this ended in 1312 with the coronation of [[Henry VII, Holy Roman Emperor]]. The period of free election ended with the ascension of the Austrian [[House of Habsburg]], as an unbroken line of Habsburgs held the imperial throne until the 18th century. Later a cadet branch known as the [[House of Habsburg-Lorraine]] passed it from father to son until the abolition of the Empire in 1806. Notably, from the 16th century, the Habsburgs dispensed with the requirement that emperors be crowned by the pope before exercising their office. Starting with [[Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand I]], all successive emperors forwent the traditional coronation.

==== 962–1024: Ottonian dynasty ====
{{Main|Ottonian dynasty}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Portrait
!Name
{{Small|Lifespan}}
!Term as King began
!Term as Emperor began
!Term(s) ended
!Relationship with predecessor(s)
!Other title(s)
|-
|[[File:017_otto_siegel_2.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Otto the Great|Otto I]], ''the Great''
{{Small|912–973}}
|7 August 936
|2 February 962
|7 May 973
|None
| class="small" |
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[List of rulers of Saxony|Duke of Saxony]]
|-
|[[File:Otto_II._(HRR).jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto II]], ''the Red''
{{Small|955–983}}
|26 May 961
|25 December 967
|7 December 983
|Son of [[Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto I]]
| rowspan="2" class="small" |
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[King of Germany]]
|-
|[[File:Clm_4453_fol_24r_Detail_Herrscherbild.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto III]]
{{Small|980–1002}}
|25 December 983
|21 May 996
|23 January 1002
|Son of [[Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto II]]
|-
|[[File:Kronung_Heinrich_II.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry II]] {{NoteTag|Enumerated as successor of Henry I who was German King 919–936 but not Emperor.}}
{{Small|973–1024}}
|[[1002 German royal election|7 June 1002]]
|14 February 1014
|13 July 1024
|Second cousin of [[Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto III]], grandnephew of [[Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto I]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[Duchy of Bavaria|Duke of Bavaria]]
* [[Duke of Carinthia]]
|}

==== 1027–1125: Salian dynasty ====
{{Main|Salian dynasty}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Portrait
!Name
{{Small|Lifespan}}
!Term as King began
!Term as Emperor began
!Term(s) ended
!Relationship with predecessor(s)
!Other title(s)
|-
|[[File:Konrad2Salsky-2.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor|Conrad II]], ''the Elder'' {{NoteTag|Enumerated as successor of Conrad I who was German King 911–918 but not Emperor}}
{{Small|990–1039}}
|8 September 1024
|26 March 1027
|4 June 1039
|2nd Great-grandson of [[Otto the Great|Otto I]] and [[Eadgyth|Eadgyth of England]] through [[Liutgard of Saxony (died 953)|Liutgarde, Duchess of Lorraine]]
| class="small" |
* [[List of kings of Burgundy|King of Burgundy]]
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[King of Germany]]
|-
|[[File:Heinrich_III._(HRR)_Miniatur.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry III]], ''the Black''
{{Small|1017–1056}}
|14 April 1028
|25 December 1046
|5 October 1056
|Son of [[Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor|Conrad II]]
| class="small" |
* [[List of kings of Burgundy|King of Burgundy]]
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[Duke of Bavaria]]
* [[Duke of Swabia]]
* [[Duke of Carinthia]]
* [[Margrave of Meissen]]
|-
|[[File:Heinrich_4_g.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry IV]]
{{Small|1050–1106}}
|17 July 1054
|1 April 1084
|7 August 1106
|Son of [[Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry III]]
| class="small" |
* [[List of kings of Burgundy|King of Burgundy]]
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[Duke of Bavaria]]
|-
|[[File:Paschalis.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry V]]<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RY6VmGuAaCkC&q=supplinburg+dynasty&pg=PA131|title=The Origins of Modern Germany|first=Geoffrey|last=Barraclough|publisher=W. W. Norton & Company|year=1984|isbn=978-0-393-30153-3}}</ref>
{{Small|1086–1125}}
|6 January 1099
|13 April 1111
|23 May 1125
|Son of [[Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry IV]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[List of kings of Burgundy|King of Burgundy]]
|}

==== 1133–1137: Supplinburg dynasty ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Portrait
!Name
{{Small|Lifespan}}
!Term as King began
!Term as Emperor began
!Term(s) ended
!Relationship with predecessor(s)
!Other title(s)
|-
|[[File:Lothair_II,_Holy_Roman_Emperor.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Lothair III, Holy Roman Emperor|Lothair II]] {{NoteTag|Enumerated also Lothair III as successor of Lothair II, who was King of Lotharingia 855–869 but not Emperor}}
{{Small|1075–1137}}
|[[1125 German royal election|30 August 1125]]
|4 June 1133
|4 December 1137
|6th Great-grandnephew of [[Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto I]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[List of kings of Burgundy|King of Burgundy]]
* [[Duke of Saxony]]
|}

==== 1155–1197: Staufen dynasty ====
{{Main|Hohenstaufen}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Portrait
!Name
{{Small|Lifespan}}
!Term as King began
!Term as Emperor began
!Term(s) ended
!Relationship with predecessor(s)
!Other title(s)
|-
|[[File:Frederick_I_(HRE).jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick I]] ''Barbarossa''
{{Small|1122–1190}}
|[[1152 imperial election|4 March 1152]]
|18 June 1155
|10 June 1190
|Great-grandson of [[Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry IV]] through [[Agnes of Waiblingen]]
Descendant of [[Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto II]] through [[Matilda of Germany, Countess Palatine of Lotharingia|Matilda of Germany]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[List of kings of Burgundy|King of Burgundy]]
|-
|[[File:Codex_Manesse_Heinrich_VI._(HRR).jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry VI]]
{{Small|1165–1197}}
|15 August 1169
|14 April 1191
|28 September 1197
|Son of [[Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick I]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[List of kings of Burgundy|King of Burgundy]]
* [[List of monarchs of Sicily|Co-King of Sicily]]
|}

==== 1209–1215: Welf dynasty ====
{{Main|House of Welf}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Portrait
![[Coats of arms of Holy Roman Emperors|Coat of arms]]
!Name
{{Small|Lifespan}}
!Term as King began
!Term as Emperor began
!Term(s) ended
!Relationship with predecessor(s)
!Other title(s)
|-
|[[File:Ottta4Brunsvicky.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[File:Coat_of_arms_of_Otto_IV_of_Brunswick_as_Holy_Roman_Emperor_(Chronica_Maiora).svg|100x100px]]
|[[Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto IV]]
{{Small|1175–1218}}
|9 June 1198
|21 October 1209
|1215
|Great-grandson of [[Lothair II, Holy Roman Emperor|Lothair II]] through [[Gertrude of Süpplingenburg]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[List of kings of Burgundy|King of Burgundy]]
|}

==== 1220–1250: Staufen dynasty ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Portrait
!Name
{{Small|Lifespan}}
!Term as King began
!Term as Emperor began
!Term(s) ended
!Relationship with predecessor(s)
!Other title(s)
|-
|[[File:Frederick_II_(HRE).jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]],
''Stupor Mundi'' {{Small|1194–1250}}
|5 December 1212
|22 November 1220
|13 December 1250
|Son of [[Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry VI]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[List of monarchs of Sicily|King of Sicily]]
* [[King of Jerusalem]]
|}
The [[List of German monarchs#Interregnum|interregnum]] of the Holy Roman Empire is taken to have lasted from the deposition of Frederick II by [[Pope Innocent IV]] in 1245 (or alternatively from Frederick's death in 1250 or from the death of [[Conrad IV]] in 1254) to the election of [[Rudolf I of Germany]] (1273). Rudolf was not crowned emperor, nor were his successors [[Adolf, King of the Romans|Adolf]] and [[Albert I of Germany|Albert]]. The next emperor was [[Henry VII, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry VII]], crowned on 29 June 1312 by [[Pope Clement V]].

==== 1312–1313: House of Luxembourg ====
{{Main|House of Luxembourg}} {{Further|Interregnum (Holy Roman Empire)}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Portrait
![[Coats of arms of Holy Roman Emperors|Coat of arms]]
!Name
{{Small|Lifespan}}
!Term as King began
!Term as Emperor began
!Term(s) ended
!Relationship with predecessor(s)
!Other title(s)
|-
|[[File:Henry_Lux_head.jpg|100x100px]]
|{{Holy Roman Emperor coats of arms|henry7}}
|[[Henry VII, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry VII]]
{{Small|1273–1313}}
|27 November 1308
|29 June 1312
|24 August 1313
|Descendant of [[Charles the Bald|Charles II]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[Count of Luxemburg]]
|}

==== 1328–1347: House of Wittelsbach ====
{{Main|House of Wittelsbach}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Portrait
![[Coats of arms of Holy Roman Emperors|Coat of arms]]
!Name
{{Small|Lifespan}}
!Term as King began
!Term as Emperor began
!Term(s) ended
!Relationship with predecessor(s)
!Other title(s)
|-
|[[File:Ignoto,_re_ludovico_IV,_bull_d'oro,_1329.JPG|100x100px]]
|{{Holy Roman Emperor coats of arms|louis4}}
|[[Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Louis IV]], ''the Bavarian''
{{Small|1282–1347}}
|[[20 October 1314 imperial election|20 October 1314]]
|17 January 1328
|11 October 1347
|Descendant of [[Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto II]] (through [[Matilda of Germany, Countess Palatine of Lotharingia|Matilda of Germany]]),
[[Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry IV]] (through [[Agnes of Waiblingen]]
and [[Lothair II, Holy Roman Emperor|Lothair II]] (through [[Gertrude of Süpplingenburg]])
| class="small" |
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[Duke of Bavaria]]
|}

==== 1355–1437: House of Luxembourg ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Portrait
![[Coats of arms of Holy Roman Emperors|Coat of arms]]
!Name
{{Small|Lifespan}}
!Term as King began
!Term as Emperor began
!Term(s) ended
!Relationship with predecessor(s)
!Other title(s)
|-
|[[File:Charles_IV-John_Ocko_votive_picture-fragment.jpg|100x100px]]
|{{Holy Roman Emperor coats of arms|charles4}}
|[[Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles IV]]
{{Small|1316–1378}}
|[[1346 imperial election|11 July 1346]]
|5 April 1355
|29 November 1378
|Grandson of [[Henry VII, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry VII]]
Descendant of [[Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick I]] through [[Philip of Swabia]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[King of Bohemia]]
* [[King of Burgundy]]
* [[Count of Luxemburg]]
* [[King of the Lombards]]
|-
|[[File:Pisanello_024b.jpg|100x100px]]
|{{Holy Roman Emperor coats of arms|sigismund}}
|[[Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor|Sigismund]]
{{Small|1368–1437}}
|[[1410–1411 elections (Holy Roman Empire)|10 September 1410]]
[[1410–1411 elections (Holy Roman Empire)|/21 July 1411]]
|31 May 1433
|9 December 1437
|Son of [[Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles IV]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[King of Bohemia]]
* [[King of Hungary]] and [[King of Croatia|Croatia]]
|}

==== 1440–1740: House of Habsburg ====
{{Main|House of Habsburg}} In 1508, [[Pope Julius II]] allowed [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian I]] to use the title of Emperor without coronation in Rome, though the title was qualified as ''Electus Romanorum Imperator'' ("elected Emperor of the Romans"). Maximilian's successors each adopted the same titulature, usually on becoming the sole ruler of the Holy Roman Empire. Maximilian's predecessor [[Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick III]] was the last to be crowned Emperor by the Pope in Rome, while Maximilian's successor [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] was the last to be crowned by the pope, though in [[Bologna]], in 1530.<ref>Brinckmeier, Eduard (1882). [https://books.google.com/books?id=w4wBAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA311 ''Praktisches Handbuch der historischen Chronologie aller Zeiten und Völker, besonders des Mittelalters'']. p. 311.</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Portrait
![[Coats of arms of Holy Roman Emperors|Coat of arms]]
!Name
{{Small|Lifespan}}
!Term as King began
!Term as Emperor began
!Term(s) ended
!Relationship with predecessor(s)
!Other title(s)
|-
|[[File:Frederick_III,_Holy_Roman_Emperor_(Burgkmair).jpg|152x152px]]
|[[File:CoA_Frederick_III_of_Habsburg.svg|100x100px]]
|[[Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick III]], ''the Peaceful''
{{Small|1415–1493}}
|[[1440 imperial election|2 February 1440]]
|16 March 1452
|19 August 1493
|Second cousin of [[Albert II of Germany]], Emperor designate
Descendant of [[Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick I]] (through [[Otto I, Count of Burgundy]])
Descendant of [[Lothair II, Holy Roman Emperor|Lothair II]] (through [[Gertrude of Süpplingenburg]])
| class="small" |
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[Archduke of Austria]]
|-
|[[File:Bernhard_Strigel_014.jpg|157x157px]]
|[[File:CoA_Maximilian_I_of_Habsburg.svg|100x100px]]
|[[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian I]]
{{Small|1459–1519}}
|[[1486 imperial election|16 February 1486]]
|4 February 1508
|12 January 1519
|Son of [[Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick III]]
Descendant of [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]] through [[Manfred, King of Sicily]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[Archduke of Austria]]
|-
|[[File:Pantoja_de_la_Cruz_after_Titian_-_Charles_V_in_Armour_(2).jpg|168x168px]]
|[[File:Greater_Coat_of_Arms_of_Charles_V_Holy_Roman_Emperor,_Charles_I_as_King_of_Spain.svg|100x100px]]
|[[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]]
{{Small|1500–1558}}
| colspan="2" |[[1519 imperial election|28 June 1519]]
|27 August 1556
|Grandson of [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian I]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[Archduke of Austria]]
* [[King of Spain]]
* [[Seventeen Provinces|Lord of the Netherlands]] and [[Duke of Burgundy]]
|-
|[[File:Römisches_Kaiser_Ferdinand_I.png|100x100px]]
| rowspan="2" |[[File:Middle_Coat_of_Arms_of_Ferdinand_I_and_Maximilian_II,_Holy_Roman_Emperors.svg|100x100px]]
|[[Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand I]]
{{Small|1503–1564}}
|[[1531 imperial election|5 January 1531]]
|27 August 1556
|25 July 1564
|Brother of [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]]
Grandson of [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian I]]
| rowspan="8" class="small" |
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[King of Bohemia]]
* [[King of Hungary]]
* [[King of Croatia]]
* [[Archduke of Austria]]
|-
|[[File:Römisches_Kaiser_Maximilian_II.png|164x164px]]
|[[Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian II]]
{{Small|1527–1576}}
|[[1562 imperial election|22 November 1562]]
|25 July 1564
|12 October 1576
|Son of [[Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand I]]
Descendant of [[Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor|Sigismund]] through [[Elizabeth of Luxembourg]]
|-
|[[File:Portrait_des_Kaiser_Rudolph_II_(20).png|100x100px]]
| rowspan="3" |[[File:Middle_Coat_of_Arms_of_Rudolf_II,_Matthias_and_Ferdinand_II,_Holy_Roman_Emperors.svg|100x100px]]
|[[Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor|Rudolf II]] {{NoteTag|Enumerated as successor of [[Rudolf I of Germany|Rudolph I]] who was German King 1273–1291.}}
{{Small|1552–1612}}
|[[1575 imperial election|27 October 1575]]
|12 October 1576
|20 January 1612
|Son of [[Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian II]]
Grandson of [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]]
|-
|[[File:Kaiser_Matthias_I_im_Reichsinsignien.png|100x100px]]
|[[Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor|Matthias]]
{{Small|1557–1619}}
| colspan="2" |[[1612 imperial election|13 June 1612]]
|20 March 1619
|Brother of [[Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor|Rudolf II]]
Son of [[Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian II]]
Grandson of [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]]
|-
|[[File:Kaiser_Ferdinand_II_im_Reichsinsignien_Ornat.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand II]]
{{Small|1578–1637}}
| colspan="2" |[[1619 imperial election|28 August 1619]]
|15 February 1637
|Cousin of [[Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor|Rudolf II]] and [[Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor|Matthias]]
Grandson of [[Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand I]]
|-
|[[File:Frans_Luycx_-_Portrait_of_Ferdinand_III,_Holy_Roman_Emperor.jpg|191x191px]]
|[[File:Coat_of_Arms_of_Ferdinand_III,_Holy_Roman_Emperor.svg|100x100px]]
|[[Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand III]]
{{Small|1608–1657}}
|[[1636 imperial election|22 December 1636]]
|15 February 1637
|2 April 1657
|Son of [[Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand II]]
|-
|[[File:Kaiser_Leopold_I_im_Reichsinsignien_Ornat.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:Greater_Coat_of_Arms_of_Leopold_I,_Holy_Roman_Emperor.svg|100x100px]]
|[[Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor|Leopold I]]
{{Small|1640–1705}}
| colspan="2" |[[1658 imperial election|18 July 1658]]
|5 May 1705
|Son of [[Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand III]]
Great-great-grandson of [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] and [[Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian II]]
|-
|[[File:Joseph_I_Holy_Roman_Emperor_002.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[File:Coat_of_Arms_of_Joseph_I,_Holy_Roman_Emperor.svg|100x100px]]
|[[Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor|Joseph I]]
{{Small|1678–1711}}
|[[1690 imperial election|23 January 1690]]
|5 May 1705
|17 April 1711
|Son of [[Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor|Leopold I]]
|-
|[[File:Porträt_des_Kaiser_Karl_VI_im_Krönungsornat.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:Greater_Coat_of_Arms_of_Charles_VI,_Holy_Roman_Emperor.svg|100x100px]]
|[[Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles VI]]
{{Small|1685–1740}}
| colspan="2" |[[1711 imperial election|12 October 1711]]
|20 October 1740
|Brother of [[Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor|Joseph I]]
Son of [[Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor|Leopold I]]
| class="small" |
  {{Collapsible list|[[King of Germany]]|[[King of Bohemia]]|[[King of Hungary]]|[[King of Croatia]]|[[Archduke of Austria]]|[[King of Naples]]|[[King of Sicily]]|[[King of Sardinia]]|[[Duke of Luxemburg]]|[[Duke of Teschen]]|[[Duke of Parma and Piacenza]]|[[Count of Flanders]]|bullets=on|title='''Full list'''}}
|}

==== 1742–1745: House of Wittelsbach ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Portrait
![[Coats of arms of Holy Roman Emperors|Coat of arms]]
!Name
{{Small|Lifespan}}
!Term as King began
!Term as Emperor began
!Term(s) ended
!Relationship with predecessor(s)
!Other title(s)
|-
|[[File:Carl_Albrecht_VII,_by_workshop_of_George_Desmarees.jpg|142x142px]]
|[[File:Coat_of_Arms_of_Charles_VII_Albert,_Holy_Roman_Emperor.svg|166x166px]]
|[[Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles VII]]
{{Small|1697–1745}}
| colspan="2" |[[1742 imperial election|24 January 1742]]
|20 January 1745
|Great-great-grandson of [[Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand II]]
Son-in-law of [[Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor|Joseph I]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[King of Bohemia]]
* [[Elector of Bavaria]]
|}

==== 1745–1765: House of Lorraine ====
{{Main|House of Lorraine}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Portrait
![[Coats of arms of Holy Roman Emperors|Coat of arms]]
!Name
{{Small|Lifespan}}
!Term as King began
!Term as Emperor began
!Term(s) ended
!Relationship with predecessor(s)
!Other title(s)
|-
|[[File:Kaiser_Franz_I_Stephan_im_Krönungsornat.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[File:Coat_of_Arms_of_Francis_I,_Holy_Roman_Emperor.svg|100x100px]]
|[[Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor|Francis I]]
{{Small|1708–1765}}
| colspan="2" |[[1745 imperial election|13 September 1745]]
|18 August 1765
|Great-grandson of [[Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand III]]
Son-in-law of [[Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles VI]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[Archduke of Austria]]
* [[Grand Duke of Tuscany]]
* [[Duke of Lorraine]]
|}

==== 1765–1806: House of Habsburg-Lorraine ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Portrait
![[Coats of arms of Holy Roman Emperors|Coat of arms]]
!Name
{{Small|Lifespan}}
!Term as King began
!Term as Emperor began
!Term(s) ended
!Relationship with predecessor(s)
!Other title(s)
|-
|[[File:Kaiser_Joseph_II._mit_den_Reichsinsignien.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:Greater_Coat_of_Arms_of_Joseph_II,_Holy_Roman_Emperor.svg|100x100px]]
|[[Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor|Joseph II]]
{{Small|1741–1790}}
|[[1764 imperial election|27 March 1764]]
|18 August 1765
|20 February 1790
|Son of [[Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor|Francis I]]
and Empress [[Maria Theresa|Maria Theresa of Austria]], ''de facto'' ruler of the empire
Grandson of [[Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles VI]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[King of Bohemia]]
* [[King of Hungary]] and [[King of Croatia|Croatia]]
* [[Archduke of Austria]]
|-
|[[File:Kaiser_Leopold_II_im_Reichsinsignien_Ornat.jpg|100x100px]]
| rowspan="2" |[[File:Greater_coat_of_arms_of_Leopold_II_and_Francis_II,_Holy_Roman_Emperors.svg|100x100px]]
|[[Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor|Leopold II]]
{{Small|1747–1792}}
| colspan="2" |[[1790 imperial election|30 September 1790]]
|1 March 1792
|Brother of [[Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor|Joseph II]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[King of Bohemia]]
* [[King of Hungary]] and [[King of Croatia|Croatia]]
* [[Archduke of Austria]]
* [[Grand Duke of Tuscany]]
|-
|[[File:Ludwig_Streitenfeld_001.jpg|100x100px]]
|[[Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor|Francis II]]
{{Small|1768–1835}}
| colspan="2" |[[1792 imperial election|5 July 1792]]
|6 August 1806
|Son of [[Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor|Leopold II]]
| class="small" |
* [[King of Germany]]
* [[King of Bohemia]]
* [[King of Hungary]] and [[King of Croatia|Croatia]]
* [[Archduke of Austria]]
* [[Emperor of Austria]]
|}

== Coronation ==
{{See also|Coronation of the Holy Roman Emperor|Papal appointment}} The Emperor was crowned in a special ceremony, traditionally performed by the [[Pope]] in [[Rome]]. Without that coronation, no king, despite exercising all powers, could call himself Emperor. In 1508, Pope [[Julius II]] allowed [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian I]] to use the title of Emperor without coronation in Rome, though the title was qualified as ''Electus Romanorum Imperator'' ("elected Emperor of the Romans"). Maximilian's successors adopted the same titulature, usually when they became the sole ruler of the Holy Roman Empire.<ref>" Wir Franz der Zweyte, von Gottes Gnaden erwählter römischer Kaiser {{Citation|last=Imperator Austriae|first=Fransiscus I|title=Allerhöchste Pragmatikal-Verordnung vom 11. August 1804|publisher=The HR Emperor|year=1804|page=1}}</ref> Maximilian's first successor [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] was the last to be crowned Emperor.
{| class="wikitable"
!Emperor
!Coronation date
!Officiant
!Location
|-
|[[Charlemagne|Charles I]]
|25 December 800
|[[Pope Leo III]]
|[[Rome]], Italy
|-
|[[Louis the Pious|Louis I]]
|5 October 816
|[[Pope Stephen IV]]
|[[Reims]], France
|-
|[[Lothair I]]
|5 April 823
|[[Pope Paschal I]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Louis II, Holy Roman Emperor|Louis II]]
|15 June 844
|[[Pope Leo IV]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Charles the Bald|Charles II]]
|29 December 875
| rowspan="2" |[[Pope John VIII]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Charles the Fat|Charles III]]
|12 February 881
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Guy III of Spoleto]]
|21 February 891
|[[Pope Stephen V]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Lambert II of Spoleto]]
|30 April 892
| rowspan="2" |[[Pope Formosus]]
|[[Ravenna]], Italy
|-
|[[Arnulf of Carinthia]]
|22 February 896
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Louis the Blind|Louis III]]
|15 or 22 February 901
|[[Pope Benedict IV]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Berengar I of Italy|Berengar]]
|December 915
|[[Pope John X]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto I]]
|2 February 962
|[[Pope John XII]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto II]]
|25 December 967
|[[Pope John XIII]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto III]]
|21 May 996
|[[Pope Gregory V]]
|[[Monza]], Italy
|-
|[[Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry II]]
|14 February 1014
|[[Pope Benedict VIII]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor|Conrad II]]
|26 March 1027
|[[Pope John XIX]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry III]]
|25 December 1046
|[[Pope Clement II]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry IV]]
|31 March 1084
|[[Antipope Clement III]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry V]]
|13 April 1111
|[[Pope Paschal II]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Lothair III, Holy Roman Emperor|Lothair III]]
|4 June 1133
|[[Pope Innocent II]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick I]]
|18 June 1155
|[[Pope Adrian IV]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry VI]]
|14 April 1191
|[[Pope Celestine III]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto IV]]
|4 October 1209
|[[Pope Innocent III]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]]
|22 November 1220
|[[Pope Honorius III]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Henry VII, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry VII]]
|29 June 1312
|[[Guelphs and Ghibellines|Ghibellines]] cardinals
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Louis IV]]
|17 January 1328
|Senator [[Sciarra Colonna]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles IV]]
|5 April 1355
|[[Pope Innocent VI]]'s cardinal
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor|Sigismund]]
|31 May 1433
|[[Pope Eugenius IV]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick III]]
|19 March 1452
|[[Pope Nicholas V]]
|Rome, Italy
|-
|[[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]]
|24 February 1530
|[[Pope Clement VII]]
|[[Bologna]], Italy
|}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Holy Roman Empire}}

* [[Concordat of Worms]]
* [[Emperor]] for other uses of the title "Emperor" in [[Europe]]
* [[First Council of the Lateran]]
* [[Holy Roman Emperors family tree]]
* [[Holy Roman Empress]]
* [[King of the Romans]]
* [[List of German monarchs]]
* [[Holy Roman Empire]]
* [[King of Italy]]
* [[Kingdom of Italy (Holy Roman Empire)]]

== Notes ==
{{NoteFoot}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* {{Commons-inline|Holy Roman Emperors}}

{{Clear}} {{Holy Roman Emperors}}

{{Authority control}}