Frederick Wilhelm III, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg
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Frederick Wilhelm III, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg (b. Altenburg
, 12 July 1657 - d. Altenburg
, 14 April 1672), was a duke of Saxe-Altenburg.
He was the second son of Frederick Wilhelm II, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg and Magdalene Sybille of Saxony
, his second wife.
The death of his older brother Christian (1663) made him the new heir of the duchy of Saxe-Altenburg. When his father died in 1669, Frederick Wilhelm III succeeded him; but, because he was only twelve years old, his maternal uncles, the Elector Johann Georg II of Saxony
and the duke Maurice of Saxe-Zeitz
, assumed the guardianship of the new duke and the regency of the duchy.
Only three years later, the young duke died of smallpox. With his death, the branch of Saxe-Altenburg became extinct.
The duchy of Saxe-Altenburg was split between the branches of Saxe-Gotha and Saxe-Weimar; but, on the basis of the will of the duke Johann Philipp of Saxe-Altenburg (Frederick Wilhelm III's uncle) the greater part of the duchy was retained by Saxe-Gotha, because they are the descendants of Elisabeth Sophie, the only daughter of Johann Philipp, who declared her the general heiress of the family in case of the extinction of the male line.
Altenburg
Altenburg is a town in the German federal state of Thuringia, 45 km south of Leipzig. It is the capital of the Altenburger Land district.-Geography:...
, 12 July 1657 - d. Altenburg
Altenburg
Altenburg is a town in the German federal state of Thuringia, 45 km south of Leipzig. It is the capital of the Altenburger Land district.-Geography:...
, 14 April 1672), was a duke of Saxe-Altenburg.
He was the second son of Frederick Wilhelm II, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg and Magdalene Sybille of Saxony
Magdalene Sibylle of Saxony
Magdalene Sibylle of Saxony was the Princess of Denmark from 1634 to 1647 as the wife of Prince-Elect Christian of Denmark, and the Duchess consort of Saxe-Altenburg as the wife of Duke Frederick Wilhelm II.- Biography :...
, his second wife.
The death of his older brother Christian (1663) made him the new heir of the duchy of Saxe-Altenburg. When his father died in 1669, Frederick Wilhelm III succeeded him; but, because he was only twelve years old, his maternal uncles, the Elector Johann Georg II of Saxony
John George II, Elector of Saxony
John George was the Elector of Saxony from 1656 to 1680.He was the third but eldest surviving son of the Elector John George I of Saxony and Magdalene Sybille of Prussia, his second spouse....
and the duke Maurice of Saxe-Zeitz
Maurice, Duke of Saxe-Zeitz
Maurice of Saxe-Zeitz was a duke of Saxe-Zeitz and member of the House of Wettin.Born in Dresden, he was the youngest surviving son of Johann Georg I, Elector of Saxony, and his second wife Magdalene Sibylle of Prussia....
, assumed the guardianship of the new duke and the regency of the duchy.
Only three years later, the young duke died of smallpox. With his death, the branch of Saxe-Altenburg became extinct.
The duchy of Saxe-Altenburg was split between the branches of Saxe-Gotha and Saxe-Weimar; but, on the basis of the will of the duke Johann Philipp of Saxe-Altenburg (Frederick Wilhelm III's uncle) the greater part of the duchy was retained by Saxe-Gotha, because they are the descendants of Elisabeth Sophie, the only daughter of Johann Philipp, who declared her the general heiress of the family in case of the extinction of the male line.