Prince-elector

"College of Electors" redirects here. For other uses, see Electoral college.

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 assumed the title "Elected Emperor of the Romans" (German: erwählter Römischer Kaiser; Latin: electus Romanorum imperator) upon their coronation as kings.

The dignity of elector carried great prestige and was considered to be behind only the emperor, kings, and the highest dukes. The electors held exclusive privileges that were not shared with other princes of the Empire, and they continued to hold their original titles alongside that of elector.

The heir apparent to a secular prince-elector was known as an electoral prince (German: Kurprinz).

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