This category is a broad category for monarchs of what is now Germany.
In ancient times, Germania referred to a collection of tribes ruled by chieftains. The notion of a modern Kingdom of Germany started out as the eastern section of the Frankish kingdom, which was split by the Treaty of Verdun in 843. The rulers of the eastern area thus called themselves rex Francorum, king of the Franks, and later just rex. A reference to the "Germans," indicating the emergence of a German nation of some sort, did not appear until the eleventh century, when the incumbent Pope referred to his enemy Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor, as rex teutonicorum, king of the Teutons, in order to brand him as a foreigner. The kings reacted by consistently using the title rex Romanorum, King of the Romans, to emphasize their universal rule even before becoming emperor. This title remained in use by the Holy Roman Emperor until the end of the Empire in 1806, though after 1508 Emperors-elect added "king in Germany" to their titles. It was never a hereditary title. Instead, a king was chosen by the German electors and would then proceed to Rome to be crowned emperor by the pope.
Typically, the states within the Holy Roman Empire had their own royalty. While most were electorates, through time, several became duchies, principalities, and even kingdoms. By the end of the 18th Century, the Kingdom of Prussia had emerged as the preeminent German state, rivaling the Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire was dissolved in 1806, leaving the rump Empire of Austria and its own line of rulers.
The 19th century saw the increased influence of Prussia on the remaining German states. In a series of wars between 1864 and 1871, Prussia first defeated Denmark, Austria, and finally France, emerging as the heart of the new German Empire.
Harry Turtledove has written few stories involving Germany prior to 1871. Ancient chieftains and pre-unification monarchs should go here. Specific monarch categories should be created if they are sufficiently represented, as Kings of Prussia and German Emperors are.
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