Rudolf von Habsburg

In this engaging discussion, Rudolf von Habsburg, a modest count from Northern Switzerland, recounts his surprising election as king of the Romans in 1273 amid political chaos. The conversation highlights the fragmented power dynamics of the Holy Roman Empire and the ineffective reigns of anti-kings. Rudolf explains the urgent need for a united leadership to mount a crusade and the intricate electoral process that led to his unexpected rise. The implications of this election on Europe's shift from a universal empire to multiple kingdoms are vividly explored.