John George I, Elector of Saxony
Encyclopedia
John George I (5 March 1585 – 8 October 1656) was Elector of Saxony from 1611 to 1656.
, he was the second son of the Elector Christian I and Sophie of Brandenburg
.
He succeeded to the electorate in 23 June 1611 on the death of his elder brother, Christian II. The geographical position of electoral Saxony rather than her high standing among the German Protestants gave her ruler much importance during the Thirty Years' War
. At the beginning of his reign, however, the new elector took up a somewhat detached position. His personal allegiance to Lutheranism
was sound, but he liked neither the growing strength of Brandenburg
nor the increasing prestige of the Palatinate; the adherence of the other branches of the Saxon ruling house to Protestantism seemed to him to suggest that the head of electoral Saxony should throw his weight into the other scale, and he was prepared to favor the advances of the Habsburg
s and the Roman Catholic party.
Thus he was easily induced to vote for the election of Ferdinand, archduke of Styria
, as emperor in August 1619, an action which nullified the anticipated opposition of the Protestant electors. The new emperor secured the help of John George for the impending campaign in Bohemia
by promising that he should be undisturbed in his possession of certain ecclesiastical lands. Carrying out his share of the bargain by occupying Silesia
and Lusatia
, where he displayed much clemency, the Saxon elector had thus some part in driving Frederick V
, elector palatine of the Rhine, from Bohemia and in crushing Protestantism in that country, the crown of which he himself had previously refused.
Gradually, however, he was made uneasy by the obvious trend of the imperial policy towards the annihilation of Protestantism, and by a dread lest the ecclesiastical lands should be taken from him; and the issue of the edict of restitution in March 1629 put the capstone to his fears. Still, although clamouring vainly for the exemption of the electorate from the area covered by the edict, John George took no decided measures to break his alliance with the emperor. He did, indeed, in February 1631 call a meeting of Protestant princes at Leipzig
, but in spite of the appeals of the preacher Matthias Hoe von Hohenegg (1580–1645) he contented himself with a formal protest.
Meanwhile Gustavus Adolphus had landed in Germany, aiming to relieve Magdeburg
. Gustavus attempted to conclude an alliance with John George to allow him to cross the Elbe
at Wittenberg
, but John George remained hesitant to join the Protestant cause and the discussions went nowhere. Hoping that an alliance would be concluded eventually, Gustavus avoided any military action.
Tilly, commander of the main imperial force, was also concerned about the possibility of an alliance, no matter how unlikely it was at the time. In order to preempt any such move, he invaded Saxony and started to ravage the countryside. This had the effect of driving John George into the alliance he had hoped to preempt, which was concluded in September 1631. The Saxon troops were present at the battle of Breitenfeld
, but were routed by the imperialists, the elector himself seeking safety in flight.
Nevertheless he soon took the offensive. Marching into Bohemia the Saxons occupied Prague
, but John George soon began to negotiate for peace and consequently his soldiers offered little resistance to Wallenstein, who drove them back into Saxony. However, for the present the efforts of Gustavus Adolphus prevented the elector from deserting him, but the position was changed by the death of the king at Lützen
in 1632, and the refusal of Saxony to join the Protestant league under Swedish leadership.
Still letting his troops fight in a desultory fashion against the imperialists, John George again negotiated for peace, and in May 1635 he concluded the important treaty of Prague with Ferdinand II. His reward was Lusatia and certain other additions of territory; the retention by his son Augustus of the archbishopric of Magdeburg
; and some concessions with regard to the edict of restitution. Almost at once he declared war upon the Swedes, but in October 1636 he was beaten at Wittstock
; and Saxony, ravaged impartially by both sides, was soon in a deplorable condition. At length in September 1645 the elector was compelled to agree to a truce with the Swedes, who, however, retained Leipzig; and as far as Saxony was concerned this ended the Thirty Years' War. After the peace of Westphalia
, which with regard to Saxony did little more than confirm the treaty of Prague, John George died (1656).
Although not without political acumen, he was not a great ruler; his character appears to have been harsh and unlovely, and he was addicted to drink and other diversions such as hunting.
on 16 September 1604 Johann Georg married firstly Sibylle Elisabeth of Württemberg (1584 - January 20, 1606). She died in the birth of their only child:
In Torgau
on 19 July 1607 Johann Georg married secondly Magdalene Sibylle
, daughter of Albert Frederick, Duke of Prussia
. They had ten children:
In addition to his successor John George II
he left three sons, Augustus, Christian and Maurice, all of whom were endowed with lands in Saxony and founded cadet branches of the Saxon house.
Biography
Born in DresdenDresden
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....
, he was the second son of the Elector Christian I and Sophie of Brandenburg
Sophie of Brandenburg
Sophie of Brandenburg was a Princess of Brandenburg and by marriage Electress of Saxony. From 1591 she was the regent of Saxony during the minority of her son Christian II.- Biography :...
.
He succeeded to the electorate in 23 June 1611 on the death of his elder brother, Christian II. The geographical position of electoral Saxony rather than her high standing among the German Protestants gave her ruler much importance during 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....
. At the beginning of his reign, however, the new elector took up a somewhat detached position. His personal allegiance to Lutheranism
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
was sound, but he liked neither the growing strength of Brandenburg
Brandenburg
Brandenburg is one of the sixteen federal-states of Germany. It lies in the east of the country and is one of the new federal states that were re-created in 1990 upon the reunification of the former West Germany and East Germany. The capital is Potsdam...
nor the increasing prestige of the Palatinate; the adherence of the other branches of the Saxon ruling house to Protestantism seemed to him to suggest that the head of electoral Saxony should throw his weight into the other scale, and he was prepared to favor the advances of the Habsburg
Habsburg
The House of Habsburg , also found as Hapsburg, and also known as House of Austria is one of the most important royal houses of Europe and is best known for being an origin of all of the formally elected Holy Roman Emperors between 1438 and 1740, as well as rulers of the Austrian Empire and...
s and the Roman Catholic party.
Thus he was easily induced to vote for the election of Ferdinand, archduke of Styria
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
Ferdinand II , a member of the House of Habsburg, was Holy Roman Emperor , King of Bohemia , and King of Hungary . His rule coincided with the Thirty Years' War.- Life :...
, as emperor in August 1619, an action which nullified the anticipated opposition of the Protestant electors. The new emperor secured the help of John George for the impending campaign in Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
by promising that he should be undisturbed in his possession of certain ecclesiastical lands. Carrying out his share of the bargain by occupying Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
and Lusatia
Lusatia
Lusatia is a historical region in Central Europe. It stretches from the Bóbr and Kwisa rivers in the east to the Elbe valley in the west, today located within the German states of Saxony and Brandenburg as well as in the Lower Silesian and Lubusz voivodeships of western Poland...
, where he displayed much clemency, the Saxon elector had thus some part in driving Frederick V
Frederick V, Elector Palatine
Frederick V was Elector Palatine , and, as Frederick I , King of Bohemia ....
, elector palatine of the Rhine, from Bohemia and in crushing Protestantism in that country, the crown of which he himself had previously refused.
Gradually, however, he was made uneasy by the obvious trend of the imperial policy towards the annihilation of Protestantism, and by a dread lest the ecclesiastical lands should be taken from him; and the issue of the edict of restitution in March 1629 put the capstone to his fears. Still, although clamouring vainly for the exemption of the electorate from the area covered by the edict, John George took no decided measures to break his alliance with the emperor. He did, indeed, in February 1631 call a meeting of Protestant princes at Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
, but in spite of the appeals of the preacher Matthias Hoe von Hohenegg (1580–1645) he contented himself with a formal protest.
Magdeburg
Magdeburg , is the largest city and the capital city of the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Magdeburg is situated on the Elbe River and was one of the most important medieval cities of Europe....
. Gustavus attempted to conclude an alliance with John George to allow him to cross the Elbe
Elbe
The Elbe is one of the major rivers of Central Europe. It rises in the Krkonoše Mountains of the northwestern Czech Republic before traversing much of Bohemia , then Germany and flowing into the North Sea at Cuxhaven, 110 km northwest of Hamburg...
at Wittenberg
Wittenberg
Wittenberg, officially Lutherstadt Wittenberg, is a city in Germany in the Bundesland Saxony-Anhalt, on the river Elbe. It has a population of about 50,000....
, but John George remained hesitant to join the Protestant cause and the discussions went nowhere. Hoping that an alliance would be concluded eventually, Gustavus avoided any military action.
Tilly, commander of the main imperial force, was also concerned about the possibility of an alliance, no matter how unlikely it was at the time. In order to preempt any such move, he invaded Saxony and started to ravage the countryside. This had the effect of driving John George into the alliance he had hoped to preempt, which was concluded in September 1631. The Saxon troops were present at the battle of Breitenfeld
Battle of Breitenfeld (1631)
The Battle of Breitenfeld or First Battle of Breitenfeld , was fought at the crossroads villages of Breitenfeld , Podelwitz , and Seehausen , approximately five miles northwest of the walled city of Leipzig on September 17 , or September 7 The Battle of Breitenfeld or First Battle of Breitenfeld...
, but were routed by the imperialists, the elector himself seeking safety in flight.
Nevertheless he soon took the offensive. Marching into Bohemia the Saxons occupied Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, but John George soon began to negotiate for peace and consequently his soldiers offered little resistance to Wallenstein, who drove them back into Saxony. However, for the present the efforts of Gustavus Adolphus prevented the elector from deserting him, but the position was changed by the death of the king at Lützen
Battle of Lützen (1632)
The Battle of Lützen was one of the most decisive battles of the Thirty Years' War. It was a Protestant victory, but cost the life of one of the most important leaders of the Protestant alliance, Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, which caused the Protestant campaign to lose direction.- Prelude to the...
in 1632, and the refusal of Saxony to join the Protestant league under Swedish leadership.
Still letting his troops fight in a desultory fashion against the imperialists, John George again negotiated for peace, and in May 1635 he concluded the important treaty of Prague with Ferdinand II. His reward was Lusatia and certain other additions of territory; the retention by his son Augustus of the archbishopric of Magdeburg
Archbishopric of Magdeburg
The Archbishopric of Magdeburg was a Roman Catholic archdiocese and Prince-Bishopric of the Holy Roman Empire centered on the city of Magdeburg on the Elbe River....
; and some concessions with regard to the edict of restitution. Almost at once he declared war upon the Swedes, but in October 1636 he was beaten at Wittstock
Wittstock
Wittstock is a town in the Ostprignitz-Ruppin district, in north-western Brandenburg, Germany. It is situated on the river Dosse, 20 km east of Pritzwalk, and 95 km northwest of Berlin. It was the location of the 1636 Battle of Wittstock between Sweden and an alliance of the Holy Roman...
; and Saxony, ravaged impartially by both sides, was soon in a deplorable condition. At length in September 1645 the elector was compelled to agree to a truce with the Swedes, who, however, retained Leipzig; and as far as Saxony was concerned this ended the Thirty Years' War. After the peace of Westphalia
Peace of Westphalia
The Peace of Westphalia was a series of peace treaties signed between May and October of 1648 in Osnabrück and Münster. These treaties ended the Thirty Years' War in the Holy Roman Empire, and the Eighty Years' War between Spain and the Dutch Republic, with Spain formally recognizing the...
, which with regard to Saxony did little more than confirm the treaty of Prague, John George died (1656).
Although not without political acumen, he was not a great ruler; his character appears to have been harsh and unlovely, and he was addicted to drink and other diversions such as hunting.
Family and children
In DresdenDresden
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....
on 16 September 1604 Johann Georg married firstly Sibylle Elisabeth of Württemberg (1584 - January 20, 1606). She died in the birth of their only child:
- Stillborn son (Dresden, 20 January 1606).
In Torgau
Torgau
Torgau is a town on the banks of the Elbe in northwestern Saxony, Germany. It is the capital of the district Nordsachsen.Outside Germany, the town is most well known as the place where during the Second World War, United States Army forces coming from the west met with forces of the Soviet Union...
on 19 July 1607 Johann Georg married secondly Magdalene Sibylle
Magdalene Sibylle of Prussia
Magdalene Sibylle of Prussia was an Electress of Saxony as the spouse of John George I, Elector of Saxony.-Life:...
, daughter of Albert Frederick, Duke of Prussia
Albert Frederick, Duke of Prussia
Albert Frederick was duke of Prussia from 1568 until his death. He was a son of Albert of Prussia and Anna Marie of Brunswick-Lüneburg. He was the second and last Prussian duke of the Ansbach branch of the Hohenzollern family.-Duke of Prussia:...
. They had ten children:
- Stillborn son (Dresden, 18 July 1608).
- Sophie Eleonore (b. Dresden, 23 November 1609 - d. Darmstadt, 2 June 1671), married on 1 April 1627 George II, Landgrave of Hesse-DarmstadtGeorge II, Landgrave of Hesse-DarmstadtGeorge II of Hesse-Darmstadt, was the Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt from 1626 - 1661. He was the son of Ludwig V and Magdalena von Brandenburg.He married Sophia Eleonore of Saxony on April 1, 1627...
. - Marie ElisabethMarie Elisabeth of SaxonyDuchess Marie Elisabeth of Saxony was duchess consort of Holstein-Gottorp as the spouse of Duke Friedrich III of Holstein-Gottorp.- Biography :...
(b. Dresden, 22 November 1610 - d. Husum, 24 October 1684), married on 21 February 1630 to Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-GottorpFrederick III, Duke of Holstein-GottorpFrederick III of Holstein-Gottorp was a Duke of Holstein-Gottorp.He was the elder son of Duke Johann Adolf of Holstein-Gottorp and Augusta of Denmark. His mother was a daughter of King Frederick II of Denmark....
. - Christian Albert (b. Dresden, 4 March 1612 - d. Dresden, 9 August 1612).
- John George IIJohn George II, Elector of SaxonyJohn 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....
(b. Dresden, 31 May 1613 - d. Freiberg, 22 August 1680), successor of his father as Elector of Saxony. - AugustAugust, Duke of Saxe-WeissenfelsAugustus of Saxe-Weissenfels , was a duke of Saxe-Weissenfels-Querfurt of the House of Wettin and administrator of the archbishopric of Magdeburg....
(b. Dresden, 13 August 1614 - d. Halle, 4 August 1680), inherited Weissenfels as Duke. - Christian IChristian I, Duke of Saxe-MerseburgChristian I of Saxe-Merseburg , was the first duke of Saxe-Merseburg and a member of the House of Wettin....
(b. Dresden, 27 October 1615 - d. Merseburg, 18 October 1691), inherited Merseburg as Duke. - Magdalene SibylleMagdalene Sibylle of SaxonyMagdalene 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 :...
(b. Dresden, 23 December 1617 - d. Schloss Altenburg, 6 January 1668), married on 5 October 1634 to Crown Prince ChristianChristian, Prince Elect of DenmarkChristian was the Prince Elect of Denmark between 1610 and his death.-Early life:He was born in Copenhagen Castle as a son of King Christian IV of Denmark and Queen-Consort Anne Catherine . He was the couple's oldest living son, an older brother Frederick having died in 1599, less than a year old...
, eldest son and heir of King Christian IV of DenmarkChristian IV of DenmarkChristian IV was the king of Denmark-Norway from 1588 until his death. With a reign of more than 59 years, he is the longest-reigning monarch of Denmark, and he is frequently remembered as one of the most popular, ambitious and proactive Danish kings, having initiated many reforms and projects...
; and secondly on 11 October 1652, to Frederick William II, Duke of Saxe-AltenburgFrederick William II, Duke of Saxe-AltenburgFrederick Wilhelm II, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg , was a duke of Saxe-Altenburg.He was the youngest son of Frederick Wilhelm I, Duke of Saxe-Weimar and Anna Maria of the Palatinate-Neuburg, his second wife...
. - MauriceMaurice, Duke of Saxe-ZeitzMaurice 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....
(b. Dresden, 28 March 1619 - d. Moritzburg, 4 December 1681), inherited Zeitz as Duke. - Henry (b. Dresden, 27 June 1622 - d. Dresden, 15 August 1622).
In addition to his successor John George II
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....
he left three sons, Augustus, Christian and Maurice, all of whom were endowed with lands in Saxony and founded cadet branches of the Saxon house.
Ancestors
| John George I, Elector of Saxony | Father: Christian I, Elector of Saxony Christian I, Elector of Saxony Christian I of Saxony was Elector of Saxony from 1586 to 1591.He was the sixth but second surviving son of Elector Augustus of Saxony and Anna of Denmark... |
Paternal Grandfather: 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... |
Paternal Great-grandfather: Henry IV, Duke of Saxony Henry IV, Duke of Saxony Henry IV the Pious, Duke of Saxony was a Duke of Saxony from the House of Wettin.-Biography:Heinrich was the second son of Albert, Duke of Saxony and his wife Sidonie Podiebrad, princess of Bohemia... |
| Paternal Great-grandmother: Catherine of Mecklenburg Catherine of Mecklenburg Catherine of Mecklenburg , Duchess of Saxony, was the daughter of the Duke Magnus II of Mecklenburg and Sophie of Pomerania-Stettin. She married on 6 July 1512 in Freiberg Duke Henry the Pious of Saxony... |
|||
| Paternal Grandmother: Anna of Denmark |
Paternal Great-grandfather: Christian III of Denmark Christian III of Denmark Christian III reigned as king of Denmark and Norway. He was the eldest son of King Frederick I and Anna of Brandenburg.-Childhood:... |
||
| Paternal Great-grandmother: Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg , consort of Christian III from 1525 and Queen consort of Denmark and Norway. She was daughter of Duke Magnus I of Saxe-Lauenburg and Catherine, daughter of Henry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg... |
|||
| Mother: Sophie of Brandenburg Sophie of Brandenburg Sophie of Brandenburg was a Princess of Brandenburg and by marriage Electress of Saxony. From 1591 she was the regent of Saxony during the minority of her son Christian II.- Biography :... |
Maternal Grandfather: 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... |
Maternal Great-grandfather: Joachim II Hector, Elector of Brandenburg Joachim II Hector, Elector of Brandenburg Joachim II Hector was a Prince-elector of the Margraviate of Brandenburg . A member of the House of Hohenzollern, Joachim II was the son of Joachim I Nestor, Elector of Brandenburg, and his wife Elizabeth of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden... |
|
| Maternal Great-grandmother: Magdalena of Saxony Magdalena of Saxony Magdalena of Saxony was Margravine of Brandenburg, its "Electoral Princess", the Electoral equivalent of a crown princess.She was the daughter of George the Bearded, Duke of Saxony and his wife Barbara... |
|||
| Maternal Grandmother: Sabina of Brandenburg-Ansbach Sabina of Brandenburg-Ansbach Sabina of Brandenburg-Ansbach was a princess of Brandenburg-Ansbach and Electress of Brandenburg by marriage.- Life :... |
Maternal Great-grandfather: George, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach George, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach George of Brandenburg-Ansbach was a Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach from the House of Hohenzollern.- Early life :... |
||
| Maternal Great-grandmother: Hedwig of Münsterberg-Oels Hedwig of Münsterberg-Oels Hedwig of Münsterberg Oels was born Duchess of Münsterberg and Oels and Countess of Kladsko and by marriage Margravine of Brandenburg-Ansbach-Kulmbach.... |