Some time ago I wondered about the possibility of Alfonso X, el Sabio, King of Castille (and about 70% of the Spanish Peninsula), becoming Holy Roman Emperor sometime in the 1250s-1270s, 250 years before Charles of Austria would do the same, but circumstances and Alfonso's own personality would have made the scenario a non-starter, at least as I had envisioned it.
But what of his rival, Richard of Cornwall? Richest man in England/Europe, hero of the crusades, one of the leading figures of XIII century Europe, was offered both the crown of Sicily (too expensive) and of the Romans, if not for Alfonso's rival bid.
But what if there had been no Alfonso? Would Richard have been crowned Holy Roman Emperor and ruled, or would he have been too preoccupied with English affairs to uproot his life and move to Germany?
But what of his rival, Richard of Cornwall? Richest man in England/Europe, hero of the crusades, one of the leading figures of XIII century Europe, was offered both the crown of Sicily (too expensive) and of the Romans, if not for Alfonso's rival bid.
But what if there had been no Alfonso? Would Richard have been crowned Holy Roman Emperor and ruled, or would he have been too preoccupied with English affairs to uproot his life and move to Germany?