Prince-elector

A prince-elector was a leading noble in the Holy Roman Empire who held the exclusive right to participate in choosing the Emperor. These electors were powerful regional rulers, such as princes or archbishops, and their votes determined who would become the emperor, the empire’s spiritual and political leader. The system was established to ensure that the selection of the emperor involved influential figures across the empire, balancing religious, political, and regional interests. Over time, the number and roles of electors evolved, but their primary function remained the same: selecting and endorsing the emperor.