Electors of the Holy Roman Empire

An emperor was chosen in the Holy Roman Empire in two stages. The first stage was an election by the prince-electors, of which there were seven, and each of them ruled the following entities:
* the Prince-Archbishopric of Mainz
* the Prince-Archbishopric of Cologne
* the Electorate of the Palatinate
* the Prince-Archbishopric of Trier
* the Crown of Bohemia
* the Electorate of Saxony
* the Margraviate of Brandenburg
A majority of 4 electors would decide which powerful man would rule the empire. From this stage they were known as "King of the Romans" (rather King of the East Franks), or "Emperor elect". This Emperor elect would then march down to Rome to be crowned by the Pope himself. From that point on, the man would be recognised as Emperor of the Romans.