1440 imperial election
Holy Roman imperial election
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The imperial election of 1440 was an imperial election held to select the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. It took place in Frankfurt on February 2.
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2 February 1440
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6 Prince-electors[a] 4 votes needed to win | ||||||||||||||||
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_-_Bildnis_Kaiser_Friedrich_III.jpg)
Background
Albert II of Germany, King-elect of Germany, died on October 27, 1439. The prince-electors convened to replace him were:
- Dietrich Schenk von Erbach, elector of Mainz
- James of Sierk, elector of Trier
- Dietrich II of Moers, elector of Cologne
- Louis IV, elector of the Electoral Palatinate
- Frederick II, elector of Saxony
- Frederick I, elector of Brandenburg
The throne of Bohemia was vacant. Albert was king of Bohemia and his firstborn son Ladislaus the Posthumous would not be born until February 22.
Elected
Aftermath
Frederick III was crowned in Rome by the pope on March 19, 1452. He was the lineal ancestor of all subsequent emperors of the House of Habsburg.
- The seventh electoral vote, belonging to the King of Bohemia, was uncast as the throne was vacant. The previous king, Albert II, had died in October 1439, and his posthumous son and heir, Ladislaus the Posthumous, was not born until 22 February 1440.