After the death of Frederick II in 1250, the German kingdom is divided between his son Conrad IV (died 1254) and the anti-king, William of Holland (died 1256).

Conrad's death is followed by the Interregnum, during which no king can achieve universal recognition and the princes manage to consolidate their holdings and become even more independent rulers.

After 1257, the crown is contested between Richard of Cornwall, who is supported by the Guelph party, and Alfonso X of Castile, who is recognized by the Hohenstaufen party but never sets foot on German soil.

After Richard's death in 1273, the Interregnum ends with unanimous election of Rudolph I of Habsburg, a minor pro-Staufen count.