The Prince-Elector of the Holy Roman Empire (Latin: Sacri Romani Imperii Princeps Elector; German: Kurfürst [ˈkuːɐ̯ˌfʏʁst] , pl. Kurfürsten [ˈkuːɐ̯ˌfʏʁstn̩] , from the Middle High German kure "choice" and the German Fürst "prince") was a member of the Electoral College of the Holy Roman Empire, which elected the Holy Roman Emperor, initially according to formally unregulated customs, and since 1356 in accordance with provisions of the Golden Bull. The office was abolished in 1806, upon the Dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire.
From the 13th century onwards, a small group of prince-electors gained the privilege of electing the King of the Romans. The king would then later be crowned Emperor by the pope. Charles V (elected in 1519) was the last emperor to be crowned (1530); his successors as...
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Silver Bohemian lion presenting a crown symbolizing the imperial crown of the Holy Roman Empire pres...
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Coat of arms of Saxony
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Armorial Emperor Maximilian I.jpg
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Shield of the Prussian State of Brandenburg
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of Charles VII Albert, Holy Roman Emperor
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Shield of the Prussian State of East Prussia (Ostpreußen)
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Arms of Swabia (or, lions passant sable)
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Arms of the Electoral Palatinate with lesser arms of Imperial Arch-Stewards
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Arms of the Palatinate, without the Bavarian quarter.
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Ancient coat of arms of the house of Anhalt
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Ancient coat of arms of the house of Anhalt
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Coat of arms of the house of Hesse-Kassel
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Coat of arms of the house of Hesse-Kassel
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Coat of arms of the house of Hesse-Kassel
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Coat of arms of the house of Hesse-Kassel
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Coat of arms of the house of Hesse
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Coat of arms of the house of Hesse