Duchy of Franconia

(Today part of: central Germany (states of Hessen, Thuringia, parts of Bavaria, Rheinland-Pfalz, Baden-Wurttemberg))

Four emperors in the 11^th and the 12^th century were Salian Franks. Since there were no alive members of the Saxon dynasty, Conrad II (ruled from 1024 till 1039), who was the last duke of Franconia, became the emperor. Upon his death, the area around the Rhine, such as Frankfurt, Speyer, Worms, Prince-Bishopric Mainz, etc. were governed by numerous smaller political entities. During the Middle Ages, “German” kings used the title King of the Romans (Romanorum Rex) emphasizing their god given right to the throne. The title King of the Germans (Teutonicorum Rex) was first used by the pope in the second half of the 11^th century during the reign of Franks thus implying that the emperor’s authority is solely local and that he is the same as other European kings. Since they were not subordinate to the king, European monarchs used the adjectives “Teutonic” or “Alemannic” thus not acknowledging the Roman universal reign which they themselves emphasized.

 The title of the emperor was the highest title; however, it had the lowest political importance because the choice of an emperor depended on the will of people. On the other hand, in order to reduce the power of dukes, emperors confronted each vassal or a group of vassals with another group. The goal was to divide and rule. In order to reduce the power of earls, cities and duchies were governed by bishops because a bishop could not transfer that function to his ancestors and an ancestor was determined by an emperor.