List of Holy Roman Empresses


Holy Roman Empress or Empress of the Holy Roman Empire is the title given to the consort or regent of the Holy Roman Emperor. The elective dignity of Holy Roman Emperor was restricted to males only, but women such as Theophanu and Maria Theresa of Austria, who did rule the Empire, were de facto Empresses regnant.

Holy Roman Empresses

Before 924, the title of Emperor was not always associated with the German Kingdom; rather, it was initially associated with the Carolingian dynasty, and then possessed by several other figures of the 9th and 10th centuries. Their consorts were thus Empresses, but not necessarily German Queens.

Carolingian

Holy Roman Empresses/Queens of Germany

With the elevation of Otto I of Germany in 962 to the Imperial title, the title 'Roman King/Emperor' became inaliably associated with the Kingdom of Germany — although a King of Germany might not bear the Imperial title, it would be impossible to become a Holy Roman Emperor, without being King of Germany first. The women in the following sections were all Queens of Germany as well as Roman Empresses.

Ottonian Dynasty

Salian Dynasty

House of Supplinburg

House of Hohenstaufen

House of Welf

House of Hohenstaufen

House of Wittelsbach

House of Luxemburg

House of Habsburg

House of Wittelsbach

House of Habsburg-Lorraine