King of the Romans
The title King of the Romans (Latin: Rex Romanorum) was carried by Holy Roman Emperors after they had been confirmed as Emperor, but before they had undergone the ceremony of coronation by the Pope.
The title had this function beginning late in the Salian period, but had already been used as early as Ottonian times onwards, especially by Emperor Henry II, when it began to supersede papacy.
It was also the title of an heir-designate who was elected within the life time of the Emperor.
After coronation as Holy Roman Emperor (and sometimes even before that), the title was augmented with the imperial semper Augustus ("ever majestic" or "ever greater", Augustus deriving from the Latin verb augere, "to grow"). This connotation of "growth" implied an obligation to oppose the loss of royal prerogatives (as in Italy) or the loss of territory (as on the western border with France).
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