Election of Rudolf I as King of the Romans
The moment of proclamation as Rudolf I is formally elected King of the Romans in Frankfurt Cathedral, ending the Great Interregnum. The Archbishop of Mainz presents the golden orb to Rudolf amidst fli
Setting
Frankfurt Cathedral, a grand Romanesque basilica with towering stone walls and high vaulted ceilings. The interior is dimly lit with flickering candlelight, casting long shadows across the nave. The high altar is adorned with gold and precious stones, gleaming in the soft light. The air is thick with the scent of incense and the murmur of hushed voices.
Characters
Rudolf I
primary
A tall, broad-shouldered man in his mid-forties with a strong, weathered face marked by years of campaigning. His dark brown hair is streaked with gray, cropped short in the military style, and his piercing blue eyes survey the scene with quiet intensity. A prominent scar runs along his left cheekbone, a testament to his martial prowess.
Archbishop of Mainz
primary
A tall, gaunt man in his late 60s with a sharply defined jawline and deep-set eyes that gleam with ecclesiastical authority. His thin lips are framed by a meticulously groomed silver beard, and his long fingers bear several ornate rings signifying his high office.
Bohemian Noble
secondary
A tall, lean man in his late 30s with sharp facial features and piercing blue eyes. His dark brown hair is cut short in the noble fashion of the time, with a neatly trimmed beard. His hands are clasped tightly before him, revealing callouses from sword training.
Herald
secondary
A middle-aged man of average height with a lean, wiry build, his face weathered from years of outdoor proclamations. His sharp nose and high cheekbones give him a distinguished profile, while his close-cropped brown hair is slightly graying at the temples. His hands are calloused from gripping scrolls and trumpet.
Cathedral Guard
background
A broad-shouldered man in his early 30s, with a weathered face and close-cropped brown beard. His hands are calloused from years of wielding weapons, and his stance betrays military training despite his current nervousness. His eyes dart vigilantly across the assembly.
Dialog
Archbishop of Mainz
Whereas it hath pleased Almighty God and the Electors of this realm to raise thee, Rudolf of Habsburg, to the throne of the Romans, we anoint thee with this holy oil as a sign of thy sacred duty.
Rudolf I
We accept this charge before God and men—not as a crown to be worn lightly, but as a shield to defend Christendom.
Bohemian Noble
A shield that will cost the Empire dearly—when the first Hungarian arrows pierce our borders.
Archbishop of Mainz
Let no man mistake this holy rite for mere politics. The interregnum ends today by divine will—not mortal scheming.
Rudolf I
I've faced worse than arrows, my lord of Bohemia. Let us see whose armor proves thicker when the time comes.