Talk:Holy Roman Emperor

Most of what I've put here is essentially a combination of QSS and QAA. Other than the flag and COA designs, which are extrapolated from *here* the only real difference involves the succession of the Holy Roman (here Austrian) Empire following the abdication of Ferdinand I. I have assumed that Franz Joseph died for some reason and his brother--in our history known as Emperor Ferdinand Maximilian of Mexico--assumed the purple. Here is a link to the gentleman in question: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximilian_I_of_Mexico I further presume that during the machinations by Bismark towards Prussian dominance, Ferdinand II was forced to abdicate. Zahir 20:47, 28 September 2008 (UTC)

Republican Emperor?

Perhaps the next Emperor should be from one of those states that don't have a monarch, perhaps the Saarland, Bavaria or Hamborg? Seth 04:48, 30 September 2008 (UTC)

An interesting idea, and almost in keeping with the timeline of the Anti-Snorist Movement of the 1970s. But one wonders about why the Electors would choose such a one. Zahir 17:43, 30 September 2008 (UTC)

Perhaps they are older, well known, and though not of noble birth, carry a noble demeanor. Remember that by the terms of the treaties imposed upon the Holy Roman Empire, this person can only serve as Holy Roman Empire for the time that would have been used for them being in office, perhaps no more than a decade at most. Seth 05:28, 2 October 2008 (UTC)

After Leopold's embarassing reign, an emperor with term limits might have seemed attractive. Benkarnell

Plus, one without the urge to make his son inherit the title. Zahir 08:08, 2 October 2008 (UTC)

that wouldn't be an issue since two successive claimant cannot come from the same house. --Marc Pasquin 16:46, 2 October 2008 (UTC)

Seeing as how, yes, Leopold III was generally disliked, perhaps one who was guaranteed not to be in office long, but well liked, would look great to not only the general populace, but also the electors. Seth 18:17, 2 October 2008 (UTC)

Sounds like you've got a bio to write! Benkarnell

Flag

the imperial flag looks similar to the warflag used pre-1949:

http://marcpasquin.iquebec.com/ib-vex-de.html

--Marc Pasquin 18:22, 3 October 2008 (UTC)

Not surprising, given that they are part of the same heraldic "lineage." Zahir 19:18, 3 October 2008 (UTC)

My point was that it look *too much* like the previous national flag. Wouldn't it be better if it looked like the emperor's flag *here* (although without the prussian iron cross):http://www.fotw.net/flags/de1871ks.html or better yet, that of the holy roman emperor http://www.fotw.net/flags/de_roman.html#emp --Marc Pasquin 14:19, 4 October 2008 (UTC)

Yes, I do like the idea of a simple 2-headed eagle on gold. And I had meant to ask: would you consider adding nimbuses/halos to the eagle's heads? That was always a unique symbol on the Imperial arms. Benkarnell 14:34, 4 October 2008 (UTC)

I've changed it to the gold background, and darkened the gold of the beaks and talons. Place a thin black border around the crown. Honestly, there isn't room a double halo. Alas. What to you think? Zahir 17:01, 4 October 2008 (UTC)

1976

I know we said "no more short termers," but 1976, the end of Konrad's reign, seems the perfect opportunity to introduce a Willy Brandt analogue who can raise the country's spirits and help everyone to finally move beyond the War. The real Brandt was from Lübeck, a republic and a Scandinavian condominium - two very Interesting Things, if you ask me. The alt-Brandt (maybe simply call him Herbert Frahm, his real name) could be Erster Bürgermeister of the City of Lybæk. The arms would also be strange - a shield on a double headed eagle, on another double headed eagle. I suppose he could just use the red and white and skip the middle bird. But what do you think? Benkarnell 22:58, 28 March 2009 (UTC)

So what you are wanting is another short-term Emperor, but one that is meant more for "lifting the spirits of the people," correct? Seth 04:33, 29 March 2009 (UTC)

Not quite. I'm mostly looking for parallels to German history *here*. IB's German history seems to closely parallel real life right up till 1950 or so, and then wildly diverges. I think a Willy Brandt parallel would be very appropriate, and would make sense within the established history. Konrad's reign was successful but felt too short, so let's bring in another republican leader - the Lord Mayor of Lübeck, why not. And then he takes unprecedented steps to move beyond the aftermath of the war, just like the real Brandt. In a fashion similar to Brandt's Ostpolitik, he reached out to Germany's former enemies - makes sense that he's also Scandinavian. Maybe it was he who finally convinced the Allied Powers to disband as an official organization and end Germany's quasi-occupied status. Like Brandt, "Emperor Herbert" helped the country move beyond the war, but angered enough people to hurt his chances at re-election at some point. After he had to abdicate, the Electors decided, enough with these short-term emperors, let's pick someone who's young and a proper monarch, who can stay on the throne awhile. Benkarnell 05:02, 29 March 2009 (UTC)

[EDIT]: I just noticed your Empress Maria I article. I had forgotten about her. So if you'd like to veto Herbert (or whatever he ends up being called), that's fine. Benkarnell 05:04, 29 March 2009 (UTC)

Personally, I think it's rather a great idea to introduce this "Herbert" character. The changes seen in Germany just don't seem to match the personality profile of Maria, in my opinion. As it says... "Though for long stretches at a time her role as Holy Roman Empress has been one of merely a figurehead...". Maybe we could just edit her a bit to be a tad more pro-active? Or could another member of "parliament" be the source of the post war changes? Would it necessarily have to have been the Emperor/ess who brought about all these changes? what is the best path? Firstly, is it actually the Emperor/Empress who instigated these changes? Secondly, which Emperor, or whom else made the changes? Geofism 09:51 2nd April 2009 (AEDST)

We could introduce a Chancellor Herbert into the Holy Roman Empire's Diet, and see that could balance things out a tad...

Eh. Maybe. I think making Brandt an Emperor would be great fun, and noticeably *different* from his role *here*. Chancellor... that's what he did in real life! Considerably less interesting! I'll humbly request that you move the start of Maria's reign forward to 1980, and if you don't want to do that I promise not to bother you about it anymore :). [EDIT] Under the terms of the Treaty of Copenhagen, the Lord Mayor of Lübeck might not be elligible. Does he "hold a noble title or political office outside the Empire", since the City is also part of the SR? Benkarnell 19:49, 3 April 2009 (UTC)