Interregnum (Holy Roman Empire)

Quick Facts: Who was Interregnum (Holy Roman Empire)?

Subject:

Interregnum (Holy Roman Empire)

Known for:

A period of profound political fragmentation in the Holy Roman Empire without a recognized emperor.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

There were many imperial interregna in the history of the Holy Roman Empire, when there was no emperor. Interregna in which there was no emperor-elect (King of the Romans) were rarer. Among the longest periods without an emperor were between 924 and 962 (38 years), between 1250 and 1312 (62 years), and between 1378 and 1433 (55 years). The crisis of government of the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Germany thus lasted throughout the late medieval period, and ended only with the rise of the House of Habsburg on the eve of the German Reformation and the Renaissance. The term Great Interregnum is occasionally used for the period between the death of Frederick II in 1250 and the accession of Rudolf I in 1273.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

After the deposition of Frederick II by Pope Innocent IV in 1245, Henry Raspe, Landgrave of Thuringia was set up as anti-king to Frederick's son Conrad IV (d. Frederick’s deposition was widely regarded as illegitimate, and no monarch in Europe offered any meaningful support for Innocent in his crusade against the emperor—whose immense status and legendary reputation as perhaps the greatest monarch of his day continued undiminished, especially in the vast Hohenstaufen core holdings. In Germany, particularly in Swabia, most of Franconia, and the south, Hohenstaufen power remained formidable and the papal cause could only rely on the support of the major ecclesiastical princes. The secular princes of Germany were either loyal to the Hohenstaufen or took a neutral stance. Henry Raspe was killed in 1247 and succeeded as anti-king by William of Holland (d.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Throughout 1249–1250 Conrad IV had steadily defeated William, whose power never extended beyond a tenuous hold north of the Rhine, and extracted a truce from the major ecclesiastical princes. Everywhere, papal crusade against the Hohenstaufen appeared to be disintegrating. By Frederick II’s death in late 1250, the emperor controlled most of Italy and his son enjoyed a relatively solid base across southern and central Germany. The Hohenstaufen remained the most prestigious, powerful and preeminent dynasty in Europe. However, buoyed by Frederick’s death, the papacy remained intransigent and Conrad IV was unable to secure the imperial mantle and died of malaria near Rome in 1254 while consolidating his Sicilian inheritance in southern Italy.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1245: 1245 Milestone — After the deposition of Frederick II by Pope Innocent IV in 1245, Henry Raspe, Landgrave of Thuringia was set up as anti-king to Frederick's son Conrad IV (d.
2. 1247: 1247 Milestone — Henry Raspe was killed in 1247 and succeeded as anti-king by William of Holland (d.
3. 1249: 1249 Milestone — Throughout 1249–1250 Conrad IV had steadily defeated William, whose power never extended beyond a tenuous hold north of the Rhine, and extracted a truce from the major ecclesiastical princes.
4. 1250: 1250 Milestone — Among the longest periods without an emperor were between 924 and 962 (38 years), between 1250 and 1312 (62 years), and between 1378 and 1433 (55 years).
5. 1254: 1254 Milestone — However, buoyed by Frederick’s death, the papacy remained intransigent and Conrad IV was unable to secure the imperial mantle and died of malaria near Rome in 1254 while consolidating his Sicilian inheritance in southern Italy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Interregnum (Holy Roman Empire)

True or False: “The Great Interregnum lasted from 1250 to 1312, which is the longest period without an emperor in HRE history.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The longest recorded interregna mentioned was between 1250 and 1312 (62 years), but the text also cites a period of 924 to 962 (38 years) and another of 1378 to 1433 (55 years).

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor — Historical peer (Died in 1250) (1250): A powerful Hohenstaufen ruler who claimed the mantle of Roman Emperors.
• Raden Wijaya — Historical peer (Born in 1250) (1250): Founder of the Majapahit Empire, a pivotal 13th-century Javanese monarch.
• Edward III — Historical peer (Born in 1312) (1312): King of England, whose reign saw England become a major European military power.
• Alexius, Metropolitan of Kiev — Historical peer (Died in 1378) (1378): Metropolitan of Kiev and all Rus', guiding Muscovite government through turbulent times.
• Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor — Historical peer (Died in 1378) (1378): Holy Roman Emperor, King of Bohemia, and patron of the arts during the mid-14th century.
• Charles the Bold — Historical peer (Born in 1433) (1433): Duke of Burgundy who sought to create an independent Burgundian kingdom.
• Emperor Go-Komatsu — Historical peer (Died in 1433) (1433): The 100th Emperor of Japan, ruling during the tumultuous Nanboku-chō period.
• Al-Qurtubi — Historical peer (Died in 1273) (1273): Polymath jurist and scholar renowned for Tafsir al-Qurtubi in Al-Andalus.
• Jayadeva — Historical peer (Died in 1245) (1245): Vaishnava Sanskrit poet celebrated for the epic poem Gita Govinda.
• Philip III of France — Historical peer (Born in 1245) (1245): King of France, known as the Bold, who reigned from 1270 to 1285.

Frequently Asked Questions about Interregnum (Holy Roman Empire)