Did Richard the First of England claim the title "King of the Romans" and, if so, how?

by Lumpyproletarian

A display of medieval tiles at Cleeve Abbey in Somerset contained double-headed eagle tiles, ascribed to Richard the First's claim. Does anyone know the basis of that claim and did anyone else agree.

TIA

jezreelite

You've confused Richard I of England with his nephew, Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall. Richard of Cornwall was the second son of John I and he was elected King of the Romans in 1257.

His title never meant much, though, because Alfonso X of Castilla (his first cousin twice removed) also claimed it. And furthermore, Richard was distracted for a long while because of the Second Barons' War in England. The title "King of the Romans" remained in limbo until 1270 when Rudolf of Habsburg was elected.