# Double Election of 1198 (1198)

URL: https://germany-history.com/timeline/1198-double-election-of-1198
Location: Germany
Categories: ruler-change

After Henry VI's death, rival factions elected two kings in 1198: the Staufer Philip of Swabia and the Welf Otto IV. Civil war followed until Philip's murder in 1208. The dispute greatly increased the power of the princes and the pope.

## Why it matters
It weakened the German crown at a decisive moment.

Ruler at the time: [Otto IV](https://germany-history.com/rulers/otto-iv)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia – Philip of Swabia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_of_Swabia)
- [Wikipedia – Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_IV,_Holy_Roman_Emperor)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica – Philip of Swabia](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Philip-king-of-Germany)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica – Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Otto-IV)