In the Holy Roman Empire, on the other hand, the emperor was elected by a group of seven electors, who were themselves powerful princes and церковные деятели. The electors met in Frankfurt and cast their votes, and the candidate who received a majority of votes became the emperor. This elective monarchy meant that the Holy Roman Empire was not a unified state in the same way that England and France were, and the emperor's power was often limited by the interests of the electors.
Here is a table summarizing the key differences between becoming king in England and France and becoming emperor in the Holy Roman Empire:
| Feature | England and France | Holy Roman Empire |
|---|---|---|
| Method of succession | Hereditary | Elective |
| Coronation | Performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury (England) or the Archbishop of Reims (France) | Performed by the Archbishop of Mainz |
| Divine right | King is considered to have been chosen by God | Emperor is elected by a group of electors |
| Power | King has absolute power | Emperor's power is limited by the interests of the electors |
These differences in the way that kings and emperors were chosen had a significant impact on the political development of England, France, and the Holy Roman Empire. Hereditary monarchy helped to create a sense of stability and continuity in England and France, while the elective monarchy of the Holy Roman Empire led to a more fractious and decentralized political system.