Quote Originally Posted by Philipvs Vallindervs Calicvla View Post
You are mistaken as to the nature of the Holy Roman Empire: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roman_Empire

As I said, the Emperor's authority derives from the Pope - the later arrangement with the "Electors" was Papally endorsed, tacitely at least, because all temporal monarchs derive their authority ultamately from God.
The Holy Roman Emperor also had 2 ancillary titles. King of Germany and King of the Romans. After Charlemagne the title of HRE and king of the Romans was passed around by his grand-sons descendants. It end up with the elected king of the Germans also being HRE. With a stipulation that it was only official if you crowned by the Pope in Rome. Electors were the original dukes of the German tribal duchies. After the 15th century no HRE really bothered going to Rome for a coronation. But the late dark age idea that the Pope had the authority to make Emperors is why Napoleon had the Pope crown him Emperor.