Elective monarchy

An elective monarchy is a monarchy whose reigning king or queen is elected in some form.

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In the ancient Kingdom of Rome, the kings were elected by the Assemblies. The Holy Roman Empire was another example of this, in which the Emperor was elected by a small council of nobles called prince-electors.

Related Topics:
Kingdom of Rome - Assemblies - Holy Roman Empire - Prince-elector

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In Gaelic Order Ireland, a Rí, or king was elected to rule clan lands both large and small. While Rí (king) is used regardless of the size of the territory, in English, the lesser rulers are more commonly called chieftains. The Ard Rí Éireann, or High King of Ireland was also elected from among the provincial kings.

Related Topics:
Gaelic Order - Ireland - High King

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A system of elective monarchy existed in Anglo-Saxon England. See Witenagemot.

Related Topics:
Anglo-Saxon - England - Witenagemot

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In Poland, after the death of the last Piast in 1370, Polish Kings were initially elected by a small council; gradually, this privilege was granted to all members of the gentry. Kings of Poland during the times of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569-1795) were elected by gatherings of crowds of nobles at a field in Wola, today the neighbourhood of Warsaw. Every one of an estimated 500,000 nobles could potentially have participated in such elections in person. During the election period, the function of the king was perfomed by an interrex.

Related Topics:
Poland - Piast - 1370 - Gentry - Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth - 1569 - 1795 - Elected - Wola - Warsaw - Interrex

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At the start of the 20th century, first monarchs of several newly-independent nations were elected by parliaments: Norway is the prime example. Previously, following precedent set in newly-independent Greece, new nations without a well-established hereditary royal family, often chose their own monarchs from among the established royal families of Europe rather than elevate a member of the local power establishment, in the hope that a stable hereditary monarchy would eventually emerge from the process. The now-deposed royal families of Greece, Bulgaria and Romania were originally appointed in this manner.

Related Topics:
20th century - Norway - Greece - Royal family - Royal families of Europe - Hereditary monarchy - Bulgaria - Romania

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Other monarchs, such as the Shah of Iran, have been required to undergo a parliamentary vote of approval before being allowed to ascend to the throne.

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