John William, Duke of Saxe-Weimar
Encyclopedia
John William was a duke of Saxe-Weimar
. He was also the last Duke of Saxony and Landgrave of Thuringia.
He was the second son of John Frederick I, Elector of Saxony, and Sybille of Cleves
.
At the time of his birth, his father still carried the title Elector of Saxony, but he lost it in 1547 after his defeat and capture by the Emperor Charles V
due to his support of the Protestant Reformation
. John Frederick was released and forced to adopt the lesser title of duke of Saxony in an area substantially smaller than his former lands in Thuringia
. In 1554, after the death of his father, John William inherited the duchy of Saxony with his older brother, John Frederick II
, and his younger brother, John Frederick III.
The three brothers divided the duchy: John Frederick II as head of the family took Eisenach
and Coburg
; John Williamm received Weimar
; and John Frederick III inherited Gotha
. In 1565, however, when John Frederick III died without heirs, the two surviving brothers drew up a new treaty that divided his lands. The older brother retained his original lands and occupied Gotha
, whereas Johann William retained his lands in Weimar. The partition plan also stipulated that the two brothers should exchange their regions among themselves every three years. This provision was never carried out, however.
The political policies of John Frederick II were directed towards recovering the lands and title of elector lost by his father in 1547. He did briefly recover the electorate during the period 1554-1556, but his involvement in political intrigues angered the Emperor Maximilian II
. The Emperor finally imposed the Reichsacht
(Imperial ban) on him, which made him the object of a Reichsexekution (Imperial police action) in which John William participated. After a siege of his castle in Gotha, John Frederick was finally defeated in 1566 and spent the rest of his life as an Imperial prisoner. His possessions were confiscated by the Emperor and handed over to John William, who thereby became the only ruler of the entire duchy of Saxony.
John William soon fell into disfavor with the Emperor, however, when he entered the service of the King Charles IX of France
as a general in his campaign against the Huguenots (the French kings were the enemies of the Habsburg
emperors). This also alienated his Protestant subjects. John William was a member of the House of Wettin, which had served as the protecting power
of Protestantism
in Germany since the time of Frederick the Wise
, yet he allied himself with the Catholic King of France against the Protestants Huguenots.
The Emperor played off the two surviving sons of John Frederick II against John William, and in 1572 the Division of Erfurt was concluded. The duchy of Saxony was divided into three parts. The older of the two sons of John Frederick II, John Casimir
, received Coburg
, and the younger, John Ernest
, received Eisenach
. John William retained only the smaller part of the duchy, the region around Weimar
, but he added the districts of Altenburg
, Gotha
, and Meiningen
to his territories. As a result of the Division of Erfurt, all of the territorial possessions of the House of Wettin, no matter which branch ruled the individual components, became contiguous. The house of Saxe-Weimar
and the first house of Saxe-Altenburg
, which later separated from Saxe-Weimar (see also the Ernestine duchies
), both descend from John William.
on 15 June 1560 Johann Wilhelm married Dorothea Susanne of Simmern
, daughter of Frederick III, Elector Palatine
. They had five children:
Saxe-Weimar
Saxe-Weimar was one of the Saxon duchies held by the Ernestine branch of the Wettin dynasty in present-day Thuringia. The chief town and capital was Weimar.-Division of Leipzig:...
. He was also the last Duke of Saxony and Landgrave of Thuringia.
He was the second son of John Frederick I, Elector of Saxony, and Sybille of Cleves
Sybille of Cleves
Sybille of Cleves was Electress consort of Saxony.She was the eldest daughter of John III, Duke of Cleves, and a sister of Anne of Cleves and Amalia of Cleves. Sybille's mother was Maria of Jülich-Berg .In September, 1526 Sybille married John Frederick I, Elector of Saxony...
.
At the time of his birth, his father still carried the title Elector of Saxony, but he lost it in 1547 after his defeat and capture by the Emperor Charles V
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As...
due to his support of the Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
. John Frederick was released and forced to adopt the lesser title of duke of Saxony in an area substantially smaller than his former lands in 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....
. In 1554, after the death of his father, John William inherited the duchy of Saxony with his older brother, John Frederick II
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 his younger brother, John Frederick III.
The three brothers divided the duchy: John Frederick II as head of the family took 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:...
and 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...
; John Williamm received 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 John Frederick III inherited 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 1565, however, when John Frederick III died without heirs, the two surviving brothers drew up a new treaty that divided his lands. The older brother retained his original lands and occupied 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...
, whereas Johann William retained his lands in Weimar. The partition plan also stipulated that the two brothers should exchange their regions among themselves every three years. This provision was never carried out, however.
The political policies of John Frederick II were directed towards recovering the lands and title of elector lost by his father in 1547. He did briefly recover the electorate during the period 1554-1556, but his involvement in political intrigues angered the Emperor Maximilian II
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
Maximilian II was king of Bohemia and king of the Romans from 1562, king of Hungary and Croatia from 1563, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation from 1564 until his death...
. The Emperor finally imposed the Reichsacht
Reichsacht
The imperial ban was a form of outlawry in the Holy Roman Empire. At different times, it could be declared by the Holy Roman Emperor, by courts like the Vehmgericht or the Reichskammergericht, or by the Reichstag....
(Imperial ban) on him, which made him the object of a Reichsexekution (Imperial police action) in which John William participated. After a siege of his castle in Gotha, John Frederick was finally defeated in 1566 and spent the rest of his life as an Imperial prisoner. His possessions were confiscated by the Emperor and handed over to John William, who thereby became the only ruler of the entire duchy of Saxony.
John William soon fell into disfavor with the Emperor, however, when he entered the service of the King Charles IX of France
Charles IX of France
Charles IX was King of France, ruling from 1560 until his death. His reign was dominated by the Wars of Religion. He is best known as king at the time of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.-Childhood:...
as a general in his campaign against the Huguenots (the French kings were the enemies 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...
emperors). This also alienated his Protestant subjects. John William was a member of the House of Wettin, which had served as the protecting power
Protecting power
A protecting power is a state which somehow protects another state, and/or represents the interests of the protected state's citizens in a third state....
of Protestantism
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
in Germany since the time of Frederick the Wise
Frederick III, Elector of Saxony
Frederick III of Saxony , also known as Frederick the Wise , was Elector of Saxony from 1486 to his death. Frederick was the son of Ernest, Elector of Saxony and his wife Elisabeth, daughter of Albert III, Duke of Bavaria...
, yet he allied himself with the Catholic King of France against the Protestants Huguenots.
The Emperor played off the two surviving sons of John Frederick II against John William, and in 1572 the Division of Erfurt was concluded. The duchy of Saxony was divided into three parts. The older of the two sons of John Frederick II, John Casimir
John Casimir, Duke of Saxe-Coburg
John Casimir of Saxe-Coburg , 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....
, received 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...
, and the younger, 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...
, received 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:...
. John William retained only the smaller part of the duchy, the region around 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...
, but he added the districts of 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:...
, 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 Meiningen
Meiningen
Meiningen is a town in Germany - located in the southern part of the state of Thuringia and is the district seat of Schmalkalden-Meiningen. It is situated on the river Werra....
to his territories. As a result of the Division of Erfurt, all of the territorial possessions of the House of Wettin, no matter which branch ruled the individual components, became contiguous. The house of Saxe-Weimar
Saxe-Weimar
Saxe-Weimar was one of the Saxon duchies held by the Ernestine branch of the Wettin dynasty in present-day Thuringia. The chief town and capital was Weimar.-Division of Leipzig:...
and the first house of Saxe-Altenburg
Saxe-Altenburg
Saxe-Altenburg was one of the Saxon duchies held by the Ernestine branch of the Wettin dynasty in present-day Thuringia.-History:The duchy originated from the medieval Burgraviate of Altenburg in the Imperial Pleissnerland , a possession of the Wettin Margraves of Meissen since 1243...
, which later separated from Saxe-Weimar (see also the Ernestine duchies
Ernestine duchies
The Ernestine duchies, also called the Saxon duchies , were a changing number of small states largely located in the present German state of Thuringia, governed by dukes of the Ernestine line of the House of Wettin.-Overview:The...
), both descend from John William.
Ancestry
Children
In HeidelbergHeidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
on 15 June 1560 Johann Wilhelm married Dorothea Susanne of Simmern
Dorothea Susanne of Simmern
Dorothea Susanne of Simmern was a princess of the Electoral Palatinate and by marriage Duchess of Saxe-Weimar.- Life :...
, daughter of 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...
. They had five children:
- Frederick William I, Duke of Saxe-WeimarFrederick William I, Duke of Saxe-WeimarFrederick William I , was a duke of Saxe-Weimar. He was the eldest son of John William, Duke of Saxe-Weimar and Dorothea Susanne of Simmern.-Life:...
(b. Weimar, 25 April 1562 - d. Weimar, 7 July 1602). - Sibylle Marie (b. Weimar, 7 November 1563 - d. Altenburg, 20 February 1569).
- stillborn son (Weimar, 9 October 1564).
- John II, Duke of Saxe-Weimar (b. Weimar, 22 May 1570 - d. Weimar, 18 July 1605).
- MariaMaria, Abbess of QuedlinburgDuchess Maria of Saxe-Weimar was Princess-Abbess of Quedlinburg from 1601 until her death.Born in Weimar, Maria was the daughter of John William, Duke of Saxe-Weimar, and Sybille of Cleves....
(b. Weimar, 7 October 1571 - d. Quedlinburg, 7 March 1610), Abbess of QuedlinburgQuedlinburg AbbeyQuedlinburg Abbey was a house of secular canonesses in Quedlinburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It was founded in 936 on the initiative of Saint Mathilda, the widow of Henry the Fowler, as his memorial...
(1601–1610).