John Casimir, Duke of Saxe-Coburg
Encyclopedia
John Casimir of Saxe-Coburg (Gotha
, 12 June 1564 – Coburg
, 16 July 1633), was a duke of Saxe-Coburg.
He was the third but eldest surviving son of John Frederick II, Duke of Saxony
, and Countess Palatine Elisabeth of Simmern-Sponheim
.
After the Reichsexekution against Gotha
in 1567 the father lost his lands and his liberty. Afterwards, John Casimir, as well as his older brother Frederick Henry (who died in 1572 aged 11), his younger brother, John Ernest
, and their mother, lived firstly in Eisenach
, later at the Hofe (castle) of his uncle Johann Wilhelm in Weimar
, and finally in Eisenberg
.
In 1570, during the Diet of Speyer
the sons tried to recovered their hereditary rights. Later, their mother left him and his brothers and moved to Austria
, while the Partition Treaty (Division of Erfurt, 1572) with his uncle John William was made. The two brothers received the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach: This principality consisted in the towns of Gotha
and Hildburghausen
and Eisenach
, on the south and west Thuringian areas.
Guardians of the children were John George, Elector of Brandenburg
, his maternal grandfather Frederick III, Elector Palatine
, and Augustus, Elector of Saxony
. From 1578 to 1581 John Casimir studied in the University of Leipzig
.
In 1584 he became engaged to Anna of Saxony, the daughter of Elector Augustus
; the marriage took place two years later (16 January 1586) in the city of Dresden
. Only after the death of his father-in-law (11 February 1586) were John Casimir (aged 22) and his brother John Ernest able take full control of their principalities.
In 1596 John Casimir and John Ernest divided their principalities: John Ernest took the Duchy of Saxe-Eisenach and Johnn Casimir continued to govern in Coburg alone. His area of rule consisted of: Coburg
, Rodach
, Gestungshausen, Heldburg, Hildburghausen
(1/2), Römhild
, Eisfeld
, Schalkau
, Sonneberg
, Neustadt
, Neuhaus
, Mönchröden and Sonnefeld
.
Under John Casimir's reign the Coburg state experienced a cultural boom with much building activity. These buildings can still be visited today. The Schloss Ehrenburg was converted into a Renaissance castle, and he established the Veste Coburg as the national fortress and the arsenal as well as the government building in the market place. In the Morizkirche (Church of Saint Moritz) John Casimir built a twelve meter high alabaster tomb set for his parents in 1598, which is ranked among the most beautiful Renaissance Tombs in Germany. He also created in 1601 the Gymnasium Casimirianum (Casimirianum High School
), extended the library of his castle with the inherited book inventories and, in 1603, he chosen the composer Melchior Franck as his Hofkapellmeister (High Music Master of Chapel).
Politically he was able to assure the nobility of the realm jurisdiction on their lands. He issued a church edict for the Lutheran regional church with the duke as Summus Episcopus, which was later adopted by many other Thuringian states. In 1589 he established own authorities for the Law and the Church in Coburg: the Hofgericht (special court for noblemen), Appellationsrat (court of Appellations), Schoeppenstuhl (Court of Justice) and 1593 a Konsistorium. Above all, he established an administrative machinery that existed after his death for many years and survived many political changes. He was able to remain neutral until 1629 in the Thirty Years' War
. After his entry into the Swedish Alliance in 1632, the imperial and Bavarian troops invaded Coburg and tried, unsuccessfully, to seize the Veste. John Casimir fled in time to Thuringia
.
During his rule the witch trials and burnings in Coburg had their high point. In 1593 John Casimir caught his wife in adultery and obtained the annulment of his marriage; Anna was kept imprisoned in the Veste Coburg until her death in 1613. In Coburg
on 16 September 1599, Johann Casimir married secondly with Margarethe of Brunswick-Lüneburg.
After the death of John Casimir without heirs, his inheritance fell to his younger brother, John Ernest of Saxe-Eisenach.
Gotha (town)
Gotha is a town in Thuringia, within the central core of Germany. It is the capital of the district of Gotha.- History :The town has existed at least since the 8th century, when it was mentioned in a document signed by Charlemagne as Villa Gotaha . Its importance derives from having been chosen in...
, 12 June 1564 – Coburg
Coburg
Coburg is a town located on the Itz River in Bavaria, Germany. Its 2005 population was 42,015. Long one of the Thuringian states of the Wettin line, it joined with Bavaria by popular vote in 1920...
, 16 July 1633), was a duke of Saxe-Coburg.
He was the third but eldest surviving son of John Frederick II, Duke of Saxony
John Frederick II, Duke of Saxony
John Frederick II of Saxony , was duke of Saxony, and briefly, Elector of Saxony .He was the eldest son of John Frederick I, Elector of Saxony, and Sybille of Cleves.-Reign and military ambitions:...
, and Countess Palatine Elisabeth of Simmern-Sponheim
Countess Palatine Elisabeth of Simmern-Sponheim
Elizabeth of the Palatinate was the second wife of Duke John Frederick II of Saxony.- Life :...
.
After the Reichsexekution against Gotha
Gotha (town)
Gotha is a town in Thuringia, within the central core of Germany. It is the capital of the district of Gotha.- History :The town has existed at least since the 8th century, when it was mentioned in a document signed by Charlemagne as Villa Gotaha . Its importance derives from having been chosen in...
in 1567 the father lost his lands and his liberty. Afterwards, John Casimir, as well as his older brother Frederick Henry (who died in 1572 aged 11), his younger brother, John Ernest
John Ernest, Duke of Saxe-Eisenach
Johann Ernst of Saxe-Eisenach , was a duke of Saxe-Eisenach and later of Saxe-Coburg.He was the fourth and youngest son of Johann Frederick II, Duke of Saxony and Countess Palatine Elisabeth of Simmern-Sponheim.His grandfather, Johann Frederick I, had still held the title of Elector of Saxony, but...
, and their mother, lived firstly in Eisenach
Eisenach
Eisenach is a city in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated between the northern foothills of the Thuringian Forest and the Hainich National Park. Its population in 2006 was 43,626.-History:...
, later at the Hofe (castle) of his uncle Johann Wilhelm in Weimar
Weimar
Weimar is a city in Germany famous for its cultural heritage. It is located in the federal state of Thuringia , north of the Thüringer Wald, east of Erfurt, and southwest of Halle and Leipzig. Its current population is approximately 65,000. The oldest record of the city dates from the year 899...
, and finally in Eisenberg
Eisenberg
-In Germany:*Eisenberg, Thuringia, a town in the Saale-Holzland district, Thuringia.*Eisenberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, a town in the Donnersbergkreis, Rhineland-Palatinate.*Eisenberg, Bavaria, a municipality in the district of Ostallgäu in Bavaria.-In Austria:...
.
In 1570, during the Diet of Speyer
Diet of Speyer
Diet of Speyer or Diet of Spires refers to any of the sessions of the Imperial Diet of the Holy Roman Empire, of which 50 took place between 838 and 1570 in the city of Speyer , now in Germany...
the sons tried to recovered their hereditary rights. Later, their mother left him and his brothers and moved to Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, while the Partition Treaty (Division of Erfurt, 1572) with his uncle John William was made. The two brothers received the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach: This principality consisted in the towns of Gotha
Gotha (town)
Gotha is a town in Thuringia, within the central core of Germany. It is the capital of the district of Gotha.- History :The town has existed at least since the 8th century, when it was mentioned in a document signed by Charlemagne as Villa Gotaha . Its importance derives from having been chosen in...
and Hildburghausen
Hildburghausen
Hildburghausen is a town in Thuringia in central Germany, capital of the district Hildburghausen. It is situated on the river Werra, 20 km south of Suhl, and 25 km northwest of Coburg....
and Eisenach
Eisenach
Eisenach is a city in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated between the northern foothills of the Thuringian Forest and the Hainich National Park. Its population in 2006 was 43,626.-History:...
, on the south and west Thuringian areas.
Guardians of the children were John George, Elector of Brandenburg
John George, Elector of Brandenburg
John George of Brandenburg was a Prince-elector of the Margraviate of Brandenburg and a Duke of Prussia...
, his maternal grandfather Frederick III, Elector Palatine
Frederick III, Elector Palatine
Frederick III of Simmern, the Pious, Elector Palatine of the Rhine was a ruler from the house of Wittelsbach, branch Palatinate-Simmern-Sponheim. He was a son of John II of Simmern and inherited the Palatinate from the childless Elector Otto-Henry, Elector Palatine in 1559...
, and Augustus, Elector of Saxony
Augustus, Elector of Saxony
Augustus was Elector of Saxony from 1553 to 1586.-First years:Augustus was born in Freiberg, the youngest child and third son of Henry IV, Duke of Saxony, and Catherine of Mecklenburg. He consequently belonged to the Albertine branch of the Wettin family...
. From 1578 to 1581 John Casimir studied in the University of Leipzig
University of Leipzig
The University of Leipzig , located in Leipzig in the Free State of Saxony, Germany, is one of the oldest universities in the world and the second-oldest university in Germany...
.
In 1584 he became engaged to Anna of Saxony, the daughter of Elector Augustus
Augustus, Elector of Saxony
Augustus was Elector of Saxony from 1553 to 1586.-First years:Augustus was born in Freiberg, the youngest child and third son of Henry IV, Duke of Saxony, and Catherine of Mecklenburg. He consequently belonged to the Albertine branch of the Wettin family...
; the marriage took place two years later (16 January 1586) in the city of Dresden
Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
. Only after the death of his father-in-law (11 February 1586) were John Casimir (aged 22) and his brother John Ernest able take full control of their principalities.
In 1596 John Casimir and John Ernest divided their principalities: John Ernest took the Duchy of Saxe-Eisenach and Johnn Casimir continued to govern in Coburg alone. His area of rule consisted of: Coburg
Coburg
Coburg is a town located on the Itz River in Bavaria, Germany. Its 2005 population was 42,015. Long one of the Thuringian states of the Wettin line, it joined with Bavaria by popular vote in 1920...
, Rodach
Rodach
Rodach may refer to several locations in southern Germany:*Rodach , a tributary of the Itz river*Rodach , a tributary of the Main river*Wilde Rodach, also a tributary of the Main river*Bad Rodach, a city in the district of Coburg, Bavaria...
, Gestungshausen, Heldburg, Hildburghausen
Hildburghausen
Hildburghausen is a town in Thuringia in central Germany, capital of the district Hildburghausen. It is situated on the river Werra, 20 km south of Suhl, and 25 km northwest of Coburg....
(1/2), Römhild
Römhild
Römhild is a municipality in the district of Hildburghausen, in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated 14 km west of Hildburghausen, and 21 km southeast of Meiningen.In the Stadtkirche of Römhild is the tomb of Elisabeth and Hermann VIII of Henneberg...
, Eisfeld
Eisfeld
Eisfeld is a municipality in the district of Hildburghausen, in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated on the river Werra, 12 km east of Hildburghausen, and 19 km north of Coburg....
, Schalkau
Schalkau
Schalkau is a town in the district of Sonneberg, in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated 13 km west of Sonneberg, and 15 km north of Coburg....
, Sonneberg
Sonneberg
Sonneberg is a town in Thuringia, Germany, which is seat of the district Sonneberg.It has long been a centre of toy making and is still well known for this...
, Neustadt
Neustadt bei Coburg
Neustadt bei Coburg is a town in the district of Coburg in northern Bavaria, Germany. It is situated 15 km northeast of Coburg, as its name indicates.-Local sudivisions:...
, Neuhaus
Neuhaus
- Places :*in Germany:**in Bavaria:***Neuhaus an der Pegnitz, in the district Nürnberger Land***Neuhaus am Inn, in the district of Passau**in Lower Saxony:***Amt Neuhaus, in the district of Lüneburg***Neuhaus , in the district of Cuxhaven**in Thuringia:...
, Mönchröden and Sonnefeld
Sonnefeld
Sonnefeld is a municipality in the district of Coburg in Bavaria in Germany.-Notable residents:*Friedrich Geißhardt , a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace...
.
Under John Casimir's reign the Coburg state experienced a cultural boom with much building activity. These buildings can still be visited today. The Schloss Ehrenburg was converted into a Renaissance castle, and he established the Veste Coburg as the national fortress and the arsenal as well as the government building in the market place. In the Morizkirche (Church of Saint Moritz) John Casimir built a twelve meter high alabaster tomb set for his parents in 1598, which is ranked among the most beautiful Renaissance Tombs in Germany. He also created in 1601 the Gymnasium Casimirianum (Casimirianum High School
Casimirianum
The Casimirianum is a gymnasium in Coburg, Bavaria. It was founded in 1605 by John Casimir, Duke of Saxe-Coburg .-Notable alumni:Famous alumni include:* Hans Berger , neuroscientist...
), extended the library of his castle with the inherited book inventories and, in 1603, he chosen the composer Melchior Franck as his Hofkapellmeister (High Music Master of Chapel).
Politically he was able to assure the nobility of the realm jurisdiction on their lands. He issued a church edict for the Lutheran regional church with the duke as Summus Episcopus, which was later adopted by many other Thuringian states. In 1589 he established own authorities for the Law and the Church in Coburg: the Hofgericht (special court for noblemen), Appellationsrat (court of Appellations), Schoeppenstuhl (Court of Justice) and 1593 a Konsistorium. Above all, he established an administrative machinery that existed after his death for many years and survived many political changes. He was able to remain neutral until 1629 in the Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
. After his entry into the Swedish Alliance in 1632, the imperial and Bavarian troops invaded Coburg and tried, unsuccessfully, to seize the Veste. John Casimir fled in time to Thuringia
Thuringia
The Free State of Thuringia is a state of Germany, located in the central part of the country.It has an area of and 2.29 million inhabitants, making it the sixth smallest by area and the fifth smallest by population of Germany's sixteen states....
.
During his rule the witch trials and burnings in Coburg had their high point. In 1593 John Casimir caught his wife in adultery and obtained the annulment of his marriage; Anna was kept imprisoned in the Veste Coburg until her death in 1613. In Coburg
Coburg
Coburg is a town located on the Itz River in Bavaria, Germany. Its 2005 population was 42,015. Long one of the Thuringian states of the Wettin line, it joined with Bavaria by popular vote in 1920...
on 16 September 1599, Johann Casimir married secondly with Margarethe of Brunswick-Lüneburg.
After the death of John Casimir without heirs, his inheritance fell to his younger brother, John Ernest of Saxe-Eisenach.