Who was the first Holy Roman Emperor?

Charlemagne (Charles I) is traditionally considered the first Holy Roman Emperor, crowned by Pope Leo III on December 25, 800. However, many historians date the Holy Roman Empire proper from the coronation of Otto I in 962.

Who was the last Holy Roman Emperor?

Francis II was the last Holy Roman Emperor. He abdicated on August 6, 1806, formally dissolving the Holy Roman Empire under pressure from Napoleon Bonaparte.

How long did the Holy Roman Empire last?

The Holy Roman Empire lasted approximately 1,006 years, from Charlemagne's coronation in 800 to Francis II's abdication in 1806, though the empire as a distinct political entity is often dated from Otto I in 962 to 1806 — about 844 years.

What is the Great Interregnum?

The Great Interregnum (c. 1254–1312) was a period when no emperor was crowned. It began after the death of Conrad IV in 1254. Rudolf I, Adolf, and Albert I were elected Kings of Germany but none received imperial coronation. The interregnum formally ended when Henry VII was crowned emperor in 1312.

List of Holy Roman Emperors (800–1806)

Last Updated: April 2025

This is a complete reference list of every Holy Roman Emperor from Charlemagne’s coronation on December 25, 800, to Francis II’s abdication on August 6, 1806. It covers all ruling emperors, co-emperors, and notable interregnums across the empire’s full thousand-year span. Byzantine (Eastern Roman) emperors are a separate line of succession and are not included here.

A note on start dates: Reign start dates follow the emperor’s imperial coronation, not election as German king, unless noted. From Ferdinand I (1558) onward, emperors adopted the title “Emperor-elect” without papal coronation — those reigns are dated from formal adoption of title or election. Dates marked c. are approximate.

INTERREGNUM No emperor CO-EMPEROR Crowned during predecessor’s reign ANTI-EMPEROR Rival claimant, not universally recognized DISPUTED Reign dates or legitimacy contested

#⇅	Emperor Name⇅	Reign Start⇅	Reign End⇅	House / Dynasty⇅	Notes

Total recognized emperors: 48 individuals (some numbering conventions list 47, depending on how the early Carolingian/Spoletan rulers are counted). Anti-emperors and co-emperors without sole rule are listed separately and not counted in the numbered sequence. Kings of Germany who were never crowned emperor (Conrad I, Henry the Fowler, Conrad III, Rudolf I, Adolf of Nassau, Albert I, Conrad IV, Wenceslaus, Rupert, Jobst) are noted in context but omitted from the numbered list. Interregnum periods without any emperor are included as dated rows to keep the timeline continuous.

Primary sources: Monumenta Germaniae Historica; Bryce, James, The Holy Roman Empire (1864); Wilson, Peter, Heart of Europe: A History of the Holy Roman Empire (2016); Britannica, “Holy Roman Emperor”; Wikipedia, “Holy Roman Emperor” (cross-referenced against academic sources). Dates follow standard Western historiography; see notes on contested entries for scholarly debate.