Poets Laureate in the Holy Roman Empire

Between 1355 and 1806 the title of Poet Laureate was bestowed on around 1500 persons in the territories of the Holy Roman Empire. In some cases the title was conferred by the Emperor himself, on his own initiative or in response to a petitioner. In others the title was granted by a count palatine acting upon the Emperor's behalf, but an even larger number had the title bestowed on them by various German universities exercising this privilege under the Emperor's authority.
The lives and p ...