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 Hohenstaufen. Above all, he had plenty of money. It is not clear in what quarter Richard's name was first suggested. Henry III had in February or March 1256 sent William Bonquer to the pope to procure that the next king of Germany should be a friend of England and the Roman court (Fœdera, i. 337; cf., p. 140, and , pp. 140–3). On 12 June Henry sent a mission, including Richard, earl of Gloucester, and John Mansel, to Germany (Fœdera, i. 342). Meanwhile in Germany the count palatine Louis II, the leader of the Hohenstaufen, was anxious for a compromise. Conrad, archbishop of Cologne, already well acquainted with Richard and England, declared himself in Richard's favour. John of Avesnes, count of Hainault, took to England an invitation from some German princes. By the end of the year definite engagements were made. On 26 Nov. the count palatine signed, at Bacharach, the conditions on which he would support Richard's candidature. The count was to marry a daughter of Henry III, who was to bring him a great marriage portion. Richard was to renounce all claims on Sicily, and to appear in Germany before midsummer (, Wittelsbachische Regesten, p. 27). On 15 Dec., at Zündorf, Conrad, archbishop of Cologne, formally adopted Richard's candidature. Besides acknowledging the right and independence of the see of Cologne, Richard was to pay eight thousand marks in instalments for Conrad's vote (, Urkundenbuch des Niederrheins, ii. 232–3), or three thousand marks in case his election was not carried. On 26 Dec. Richard accepted these terms in London, and sent hostages to Archbishop Conrad (ib. ii. 233). Henry III also sealed the compact. Richard's money was now scattered freely over Germany. He sold his woods to increase his means. The Jews, his faithful dependents in England, did Richard good service in furthering his candidature (Fœdera, i. 365; Monumenta Germaniæ, Scriptores, xvi. 383–4).

But Alfonso X of Castile, originally suggested by the citizens of Pisa and Marseilles, was now welcomed as a rival candidate by the archbishop of Trier. He was even more prodigal of his purse than Richard (, pp. 22–4). The French party, afraid of an English emperor who had once been count of Poitou, actively took the side of Alfonso, who also secured the Brandenburg and Saxon votes. Ottocar of Bohemia, though negotiating with Archbishop Conrad and Richard, would come to no definite decision.

On 13 Jan. 1257 the archbishop of Cologne, with the archbishop of Mainz's proxy, and the count palatine, appeared before the walls of Frankfurt to make their election. Admission into the town was denied them, but they formally elected Richard before the gates. The town was held by Arnold of Trier, who joined with the Duke of Saxony and the proctor of Ottocar of Bohemia in protesting against so irregular an election. Ottocar, however, soon declared his adhesion to Richard, and thus secured a majority for Richard of four of the seven electors (Fœdera, i. 353; cf., Die letzten Hohenstaufen, p. 460–1). But the electors of Trier, Saxony, and Brandenburg persisted in their opposition. On 1 April they elected Alfonso of Castile. The election is of great constitutional importance in German history as the first occasion on which the seven electors of later history definitely exercise the right of choice (cf. Urban IV's bull dated Civita Vecchia, 31 Aug. 1263;, Regesta Imperii, v. 992–3; , Kurfürsten-Colleg.; Doppelwahl des Jahres 1257, and  Markgrafen Johann I and Otto III von Brandenburg, Excurs II).

Richard's election was known to Henry III on 17 Jan. (Fœdera, i. 353). Then came a letter from Conrad of Cologne (, vi. 341). On 30 Jan. Ottocar's emissaries took to Wallingford their lord's approval. King Henry urged his brother to accept the throne. After a show of hesitation, Richard announced his willingness with an outburst of tears, protesting that he was not moved by greed or ambition, but by an honest desire to restore the prosperity of the empire and govern justly and loyally (, v. 603). In the well-attended mid-Lent parliament he bade adieu to the English barons. Soon afterwards Conrad of Cologne and other German magnates came to London and did homage to him (ib. v. 625). On 29 April Richard took his departure from Yarmouth (ib. v. 628). He constituted Fulk Basset, bishop of London, his proctor for his English possessions.

Fifty ships were needed for the transport of himself, his wife Sanchia, and his eldest son Henry and their attendants. On 1 May they landed at Dordrecht, and on 17 May, Ascension Day, Richard and Sanchia were crowned king and queen at Aachen by Conrad of Cologne. Richard had brought a new crown and insignia from England, which he afterwards handed over to the chapter for safe keeping; some of these jewels may be among the present treasures of the Dom at Aachen. When the festivities were over, grave counsels were held. It was resolved to take the field against Arnold of Trier. With this object Richard moved to Cologne, where he spent