The Purpose of the variant is threefold:
1. To more closely simulate the actual historical situation of an elected HRE as codified by the Golden Bull of Charles IV issued in 1357.
2. To enhance the playing experience of the HRE nobles, who are often left on the sidelines in historicals.
3. To add the HRE as a potential force to be reckoned with by the English or the French in pursuing their aims of winning the HYW.
The Golden Bull settled once and for all the question of the election of the King of the Romans (HRE elect). The electors were 7 in number: 3 ecclesiastical and 4 lay. The electors were given rights individually and collectively and the offices were fixed on specific overlordships and sees. I will present the variant rule in boldface interspersing comments where appropriate in italics.
1. On the death of Ludwig IV von Bayern [181], his successor and all subsequent successors will be chosen by the electors of the Holy Roman Empire from among their number. Ludwig IV will begin the game excommunicated and holding the title, King of the Romans.
2. The electors shall consist of all active PCs who currently hold an ancestral fief within the empire or Italy (Hxxxx and Ixxxx fiefs) excluding the Italian megafeifs. Game staff will not be eligible to vote.
While the Italian nobles were not historical electors, they are being included to compensate for the fact that the Eastern portion of the HRE is not shown on the map which did contain some of the electors. The Italian megas are excluded since they were by and large free of imperial control at this time. Also Naples [231] is specifically excluded from imperial politics as are the Spanish.
3. The election will be conducted by the Other Herald, within one game year of the death of the predecessor. The polls shall be kept open for four seasons. Votes shall be cast publicly and may be changed at any time before the polls are closed. If no candidate receives a majority of the total votes cast, a run-off election shall be held the following four seasons between the top two candidates. Each PC shall have one vote.
4. The winner shall be declared King of the Romans and receive that title together with the crowns of Germany and Italy.
5. The King of the Romans may petition the Pope for coronation as Holy Roman Emperor. The coronation is at the sole discretion of the Pope. Once crowned the Emperor will hold the office for life and is not subject to removal except by abdication or death. During the period of the Western Schism, neither Pope will have the stature to crown an emperor.
Historically many Kings of the Romans were never crowned as Holy Roman Emperor. This happened because of differences with the Pope or in some cases they simply didn't bother. The Popes prerogative in crowning the emperor was acceded to by Ludwig IV von Bayern and is not further addressed in the Golden Bull.
6. The powers of the King of the Romans shall be as follows:
6.1. To strip titles by conquest.
6.2. To approve or disapprove the transfer of titles within the empire stripped by the King of England or the Roi.
6.3. To receive Oaths of Fealty from the electors
6.4. To outlaw electors with a 2 point stature loss to the outlaw. The elector thus outlawed will have the ability to ransom.
6.5. To exchange ambassadors with the other courts of Europe.
6.6. May call an Imperial Levy under the same conditions as the French roi may call a levy. The number of troops as follows:
6.6.1. Before the plague, a maximum of 9,000 troops will be assembled. After the plague the number will be reduced to 6,000 troops.
6.6.2. The number of troops will be reduced by 10% for each stature point below 9 (rounded).
7. The powers of the Holy Roman Emperor shall include all powers granted the King of the Romans with the following modifications and additions:
7.1. An outlawed elector shall have a 5 point stature loss and shall lose the ability to ransom
7.2. May name four cabinet members with those appointed receiving a two point stature boost as follows:
7.2.1. Archcupbearer - Supervises the imperial household.
7.2.2. Archchancellor of Germany - manages imperial affairs in Germany
7.2.3. Archchancellor of Italy - manages imperial affairs in Italy
7.2.4. Constable - leads imperial army.
7.3. May borrow from the BCCI up to 1,000,000 kdts over the course of the game as follows:
7.3.1. A maximum of 20,000 kdts per year reduced by 10% for each stature point below 9 (rounded).
7.3.2. The BCCI loans are aggregated to all HREs in the course of the game. When the 1,000,000 kdts limit is reached, no more funds will be loaned.
7.4. The maximum number of troops available for the Imperial Levy shall be increased as follows: before the plague, 15,000 troops will be assembled; after the plague, the number will be reduced to 10,000 troops.
7.5. The ransom for the Emperor shall be no less than 20,000 kdts.
As you can see, the benefits of being crowned are enormous. The successful candidate will first have to be elected by his peers and then strike a deal with the Pope for coronation. I see much potential for bribery, diplomacy and skullduggery here both from the electors and from the English and French who would have great interest in who might become this potentially powerful ally or enemy.