Prince-Electors Had Thirty-Day Imperial Deadline

In 1356, Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV's Golden Bull decree gave the Empire's seven prince-electors 30 days to choose a new King of the Romans in Frankfurt. Four votes formed a majority, preventing three electors from blocking the selection. If the deadline expired, the electors could eat only bread and water and could not leave Frankfurt until they chose a ruler. The decree governed key parts of the Holy Roman Empire's constitutional structure for more than 400 years.

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