Konradin und die Königswahl. Eine Untersuchung der letztenstaufischen Wahlversuche im Heiligen Römischen Reich

Abstract

Conradin and the Royal Election. A Study of the Last Staufen Electoral Efforts in the Holy Roman Empire
This paper seeks to examine the attempts to elevate the Hohenstaufen heir Conradin to King of the Romans during the Interregnum. Drawing mainly on papal letters and, for the final attempt, a fictional election protocol from his chancery, the political context of 1256, 1262, and 1266/67 and the growing papal opposition will be analysed. It will be argued that Conradin’s actions as Duke of Swabia reflected his royal ambitions. Thus, despite the tentativeness of the early plans, the 1266/67 attempt was perceived as a real threat by the papacy; in the end, all efforts failed and led Conradin to his ill‑fated Italian campaign.