Holy Roman Emperor Puns

Hello r/history,

I am fascinated by the HRE. Partly because of the awesome maps with zillions of states, duchies, even a kingdom here and there, bishopries, free cities, etc, etc. But I am most fascinated by the emperor himself, especially because he was elected in a (VERY toned down) democratic process, in the Middle Ages. But however much I've been reading, I can't seem to answer this simple question: How did the Habsburgs initiate an (almost) unbroken line of emperors of the Holy Roman Empire for hundreds of years when the title is actually not hereditary, but elective?

Not only the Habsburgs did so, there were other lines/dynasties who did so as well. Did they bribe the prince electors? Did they just seize power and tell the prince electors "choose my son, or else"? Were others too afraid to run against them? Or are these election not how I seem to envision them (like "fair" elections in which the electors can choose whoever they want)?

I've always understood that the emperor of the HRE did not have as much power as we generally assume an emperor has, I've even seen texts that said other nobles did NOT WANT to be the emperor, because it was such a headache (constant tensions, rebellions, etc, etc) without that many benefits. Is this why these dynasties existed? On the other hand, opposing wannabe-emperors did kill each other on the battlefield a few times...

So in summary (and TL/DR), I am confused how dynasties could exist in an elective monarchy, specifically in the HRE.

Hope anyone has some insight, cheers,

T

Was doing a tall bohemia run. Gained independence peacefully early on but I was forever stuck as a candidate in the HRE elections. The description says as duke of bohemia I am an elector and a candidate. Despite my best efforts, eventually they brought me back in as emperor. I just want to be an independent bohemia and do my thing. Is this possible?

Who would you say? Please explain your reasoning in the comments

EDIT: Before you vote guys, check out the comments. I've given my reasoning for why I think Hans-Adam II is the correct choice and I think I make a good argument.

EDIT 2: Please don't just vote Karl because "lol Habsburgs based". Also 64 people voted and I don't see many people explaining why they voted for who

View Poll

I mean who would want a robe that let's large amounts of people see them naked!!! And why wasn't he wearing underwear!!

Did it hold some sort of millennial celebration in 1800?

And left himself only with the primary title and 1 county. Prior to this, i think about 80 people, counts and dukes, became my vassals of their own volition. I am number one in the election. I'm 40 years old. I didn't even do anything mostly, apart from trying not to die from lvl2 stress early (i actually almost did at 30)... So apparently my ruler's mere existence is so magnificent, that everyone wants to serve him. I prior to this explosions of peaceful vassalizations i was a mere prince of Switzerland with a duchy of Swabia and a couple more dukes under me, and now i'm the king of Bloated Germany and about to become the emperor of HRE... What in the Holy Roman Empire is going on...

https://preview.redd.it/din6lzj5tr581.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=26a7ebd214e9608f61fee8c44ca0de6d720f5466

https://preview.redd.it/jzdhtc07tr581.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=11e5f362ce1bc2db9dbb28fc55e80192832fbd55

I'm currently playing on the Origins patch and haven't played EU4 seriously in about 5 or 6 years now.

Beginning as Lorraine, I've managed to form Lotharingia and have been elected Emperor a number of times in a row. I have most of the electors as my allies, have Influence/Diplomatic ideas fully filled, am careful to up Diplomatic Reputation as much as I can. However, even with nearly 50 princes in the HRE in ~1625, and even if I were to convert them all back to Catholicism, I would only make about ~.15 Imperial Authority/month. When I got the Imperial throne, there was a single reform completed, and at that slow of a rate, I doubt I will be able to vassalize all of the HRE before the end of the game. It used to be that you would get Imperial Authority for simply adding provinces to the Empire, but that's not the case anymore. It's just having non-heretic princes and then having your king die. Is there something more that I could be doing?

I have no DLCs except El Dorado and flavor packs currently.

Did they claim all the other kingdoms (like France and England in the West; or Hungary and Poland in the East) to be some sort of Imperial fiefs? Or did they just pretend they didn't exist?

https://preview.redd.it/b44ks5r0hpz71.jpg?width=562&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f575ed1210ed1e313803eca692d54417408c94a4