List of rulers of Saxony

Monarchy of Saxony
Provincial/State
Frederick Augustus III
Details
Style His Majesty
First monarch Hadugato
Last monarch Frederick Augustus III
Formation 531
Abolition 13 November 1918
Appointer Hereditary
Pretender(s) Disputed: Prince Rüdiger
or Prince Alexander

This article lists dukes, electors, and kings ruling over different territories named Saxony from the beginning of the Saxon Duchy in the 9th century to the end of the Saxon Kingdom in 1918.

The electors of Saxony from John the Steadfast (or, according to some accounts, Frederick the Wise) onwards have been Lutheran until Augustus II of Saxony converted to Roman Catholicism in order to be elected King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. His descendants (including all Kings of Saxony) have since been Roman Catholic.

Dukes of Saxony

The old Saxon coats of arms today lives on in the coats of arms of Lower Saxony and Westphalia.

The original Duchy of Saxony comprised lands of the Saxon people in the north-western part of present-day Germany, namely, the contemporary German state of Lower Saxony as well as Westphalia and Western Saxony-Anhalt, not corresponding to the modern German state of Saxony.

Early dukes

Younger Stem Duchy

Dukes of Saxony
Image Name Date Notes
Liudolfing/Ottonian Dynasty
Liudolf I 850 – 12 March 864 or 866
Bruno 12 March 864 or 866 – 2 February 880
Otto I the Illustrious 2 February 880 – 30 November 912
Henry I the Fowler 30 November 912 – 2 July 936 Also German King 919–936
Otto II the Great 2 July 936 – 7 May 973 Also German King 936–973, Emperor 962–973
Billung Dynasty
Hermann 961 – 27 March 973 viceduke
Bernard I 27 March 973 – 9 February 1011
Bernard II 9 February 1011 – 29 June 1059
Ordulf 29 June 1059 – 28 March 1072
Magnus 28 March 1072 – 23 August 1106
Supplinburg Dynasty
Lothair I 1106 – 4 December 1137 Also German King 1125–1137, Emperor 1133–1137
Otto the Rich 1112 Appointed by Emperor Henry V in opposition to Duke Lothar
Hoyer I, Count of Mansfeld 1115 Appointed by Emperor Henry V in opposition to Duke Lothar
Welf Dynasty
Henry II the Proud 4 December 1137 – 20 October 1139 Also Duke of Bavaria as Henry X
Ascanian Dynasty
Albert the Bear 20 October 1139 – 1142 Also Margrave of Brandenburg
Welf Dynasty
Henry III the Lion 1142–1180 Also Duke of Bavaria as Henry XII

With the removal of the Welfs in 1180, the Duchy of Saxony was sharply reduced in territory. Westphalia fell to the Archbishop of Cologne, while the Duchy of Brunswick remained with the Welfs. The Ascanian Dukes had their base further east, near the Elbe, in what is sometimes called the younger Duchy of Saxony, resulting in the name Saxony moving towards the east.

In the 10th century the Emperor Otto I had created the County Palatine of Saxony in the Saale-Unstrut area of southern Saxony. The honour was initially held by a Count of Hessengau, then from the early 11th century by the Counts of Goseck, later by the Counts of Sommerschenburg, and still later by the Landgraves of Thuringia. When the Wettin landgraves succeeded to the Electorate of Saxony, the two positions merged.

The Younger Saxony: The Duchy and the Electorate

Coat of arms of Saxony used since the accession of the House of Ascania to the dukedom in 1180, comprising the Ascanian arms with an added bendwise crancelin indicating the Saxon ducal rank

The new dukes replaced the Saxon horse emblem () and introduced their Ascanian family colours and emblem () added by a bendwise crancelin, symbolising the Saxon ducal crown, as new coat-of-arms of Saxony (). The later rulers of the House of Wettin adopted the Ascanian coat-of-arms.

After the division, the counting of the dukes started anew. Though the first Ascanian duke is counted either as Bernard III (because of two predecessors of the same name before 1180) or as Bernard I, his successor, Albert I is counted as the first, although before 1180 he had one predecessor of the same name, Albert the Bear.

House of Ascania

Partitions of Saxony under Ascanian rule

Duchy of Saxony
(1180-1296)
Duchy of Saxe-Wittenberg
(1296-1356)
Duchy of Saxe-Lauenburg
(1296-1303)
Duchy of Saxe-Mölln
(1303-1315)
Duchy of Saxe-Bergdorf-Lauenburg
(1303-1315)
Duchy of Saxe-Ratzeburg
(1303-1315)
Duchy of Saxe-Bergdorf-Mölln
(1315-1356)
Duchy of Saxe-Ratzeburg-Lauenburg
(1315-1356)
Electorate of Saxe-Wittenberg
(1356-1422)
Duchy of Saxe-Lauenburg
(1401-1689)

Table of rulers

(Note: Both lines follow the numbering established in this table until 1296, when they were created. From 1296 on, each line follows independently the succession of Saxon dukes until 1296)

RulerBornReignDeathRuling partConsortNotes
Bernard IIIc.11341180-12122 February 1212SaxonyBrigitte of Denmark
six children

Sophia of Thuringia
one child

Judith of Poland
c.1173
no children
Also Count of Ballenstedt and Prince of Anhalt. Numberings starting with Ascanian rule or continuing after prior dukes of the same name. Father of the following.
Albert Ic.11751212-12607 October 1260SaxonyAgnes of Austria
1222
five children

Agnes of Thuringia
1238
three children

Helene of Brunswick-Lüneburg
1247
five children
Father of the following two dukes
Albert II12501260-129625 August 1298SaxonyAgnes of Austria
1282
six children
Ruled jointly; Until 1282, the brothers John I and Albert II; From John I's abdication in 1282, Albert shared rule with his minor nephews, sons of John I: John II, Albert III and Eric I. In 1296 they divided the land. Albert II retained Saxe-Wittenberg, and became the head of the Elder Saxon Line; His nephews ruled together in Saxe-Lauenburg, becoming the founders of the Younger Saxon Line.
John I12491260-128230 July 1285SaxonyIngeborg Birgersdotter of Sweden
1270
eight children
John II1275 1282-129622 April 1322SaxonyElizabeth of Holstein-Rendsburg
1315
one child
Eric I12801360SaxonyElisabeth of Pomerania
1316 or 1318
four children
Albert III12811308SaxonyMargaret of Brandenburg-Salzwedel
1302
two children
In 1296 Albert II and his nephews Albert III, Eric I, and John II ended their joint rule and divided Saxony into the Lauenburg line, where Albert III, Eric I, and John II continued to rule jointly until 1303, and the Wittenberg line, where Albert II continued as sole ruler until 1298. Since the Duke of Saxony was considered one of the prince-electors electing a new Holy Roman Emperor, conflict arose between the lines of Lauenburg and Wittenberg over the issue of who should cast Saxony's vote. In 1314 both lines found themselves on different sides in a double election. Eventually, the Dukes of Saxe-Wittenberg succeeded in 1356 after the promulgation of the Golden Bull. To distinguish him from other rulers bearing the title Duke of Saxony, he was commonly called Elector of Saxony.
Albert II12501296-129825 August 1298Saxe-WittenbergAgnes of Austria
1282
six children
Became sole ruler of Saxe-Wittenberg.
John II1275 1296-130322 April 1322Saxe-LauenburgElizabeth of Holstein-Rendsburg
1315
one child
Ruled together until 1303, when they divided once more the territory between them.
Eric I12801360Saxe-LauenburgElisabeth of Pomerania
1316 or 1318
four children
Albert III12811308Saxe-LauenburgMargaret of Brandenburg-Salzwedel
1302
two children
Rudolph I12841298-135612 March 1356Saxe-WittenbergJutta of Brandenburg
1298
eight children

Kunigunde of Poland
28 August 1328
one child

Agnes of Lindow-Ruppin
1333
three children
In January 1356 the Golden Bull confirmed Rudolf I as the legitimate Saxon Prince-Elector, thus the rulers of Saxe-Wittenberg are conceived as Electors of Saxony.
John II12751303-131522 April 1322Saxe-MöllnElizabeth of Holstein-Rendsburg
1315
one child
In 1315 realigned the territory.
Eric I12801303-13151360Saxe-BergedorfElisabeth of Pomerania
1316 or 1318
four children
In 1315 realigned the territory.
Albert III12811303-13081308Saxe-RatzeburgMargaret of Brandenburg-Salzwedel
1302
two children
Left his lands to his widow.
Margaret of Brandenburg-Salzwedel12701308-13151 May 1315Saxe-RatzeburgPrzemysł II, King of Poland
1302
two children

Albert III
1302
two children
After her death, her brothers-in-law realigned the territory.
In 1315, after the death of Margaret of Brandenburg, the remaining brothers Eric and John redesigned the political division in Saxe-Lauenburg; Eric retained all of Margaret's part, but had to give part of his original domains to his brother. John ruled in Saxe-Bergedorf-Mölln; Eric in Saxe-Ratzeburg-Lauenburg.
John II12751315-132222 April 1322Saxe-Bergedorf-MöllnElizabeth of Holstein-Rendsburg
1315
one child
Eric I12801315-13381360Saxe-Ratzeburg-LauenburgElisabeth of Pomerania
1316 or 1318
four children
Abdicated in 1338 to his own son. Died in 1361.
Elizabeth of Holstein-Rendsburg (regent)c.13001322-1330before 1340Saxe-Bergedorf-MöllnJohn II
1315
one child

Eric, Junior King of Denmark
1330
no children
Regent on behalf of her son, Albert.
Albert IV13151330-13431343Saxe-Bergedorf-MöllnBeata of Schwerin
1334
three child

Sophia of Mecklenburg-Werle-Güstrow
1341
no children
Eric II1318/201338-13681368Saxe-Ratzeburg-LauenburgAgnes of Holstein-Plön
between 1342 and 1349
four children
John IIIc.13301343-13561356Saxe-Bergedorf-MöllnUnmarriedLeft no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother, Albert.
Albert Vc.13301343-13701370Saxe-Bergedorf-MöllnCatherine of Mecklenburg-Werle-Güstrow
25 January 1366
no children
Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother, Eric.
The Golden Bull of 1356 confirmed the right to participate in the election of a Holy Roman Emperor to the Duke of Saxony in the Saxe-Wittenberg line.
Rudolph I
(Rudolf I)
128410 January 1356 - 12 March 135612 March 1356Saxe-Wittenberg and Electorate of SaxonyJutta of Brandenburg
1298
eight children

Kunigunde of Poland
28 August 1328
one child

Agnes of Lindow-Ruppin
1333
three children
In January 1356 was recognized as the First Prince-Elector of Saxony.
Rudolph II the Blind
(Rudolf II. der Blinde)
130712 March 1356 - 6 December 13706 December 1370Saxe-Wittenberg and Electorate of SaxonyElisabeth of Hesse
Before 8 May 1336
one child
Left no descendants.
Eric III13541368-140121 June 1411/12Saxe-Ratzeburg-LauenburgSophia of Brunswick-Lüneburg
8 April 1373
ten children
In 1401 reunited Saxe-Lauenburg.
Wenceslaus I13376 December 1370 - 15 May 138815 May 1388Saxe-Wittenberg and Electorate of SaxonyCecilia da Carrara
23 January 1376
six children
Brother of his predecessor.
Eric IVc.13301370-14011401Saxe-Bergedorf-MöllnUnmarriedDetermined to enter to clergy, has to resign to succeed his brothers. He also left no descendants, which allowed the Saxe-Ratzeburg-Lauenburg line to reunite Saxe-Lauenburg.
Rudolph III137815 May 1388 - 11 June 141911 June 1419Saxe-Wittenberg and Electorate of SaxonyAnna of Meissen
1387/89
three children

Barbara of Legnica
March 1396
two children
Left no male descendants. he was succeeded by his brother, Albert.
In 1401 Saxe-Ratzeburg-Lauenburg inherited Saxe-Bergedorf-Mölln from the Ascanian Elder Lauenburg line there extinct upon Eric IV's death. The reunited duchy continued under the old name of Saxe-Lauenburg.
Eric III13541401-1411/1221 June 1411/12Saxe-LauenburgSophia of Brunswick-Lüneburg
8 April 1373
ten children
In 1401 reunited Saxe-Lauenburg.
Eric Vafter 13731411/12-14361436Saxe-LauenburgElisabeth of Holstein-Rendsburg
1404
no children

Elisabeth of Weinsberg
before 1422
one child
Ruled jointly. The numberings here lead to some confusion, as not all genealogists of the House of Ascania count John IV in the list of Dukes of Saxe-Lauenburg, numbering John V (John IV's nephew) as John IV.
John IVafter 13731411/12-14141414Saxe-LauenburgUnmarried
Albert IV1375/8011 June 1419 - (before 12 November) 1422before 12 November 1422Saxe-Wittenberg and Electorate of SaxonyEuphemia of Oleśnica
14 January 1420
no children
Left no male descendants, which led the Ascanian Saxe-Wittenberg line to extinction.
The Ascanian Dynasty continued in Saxe-Lauenburg until 1689, but after the Lauenburgish line had finally lost the Saxon Electorate to the Wittenberg line in 1356 and failed to obtain the succession in the Electorate after 1422, recognition of the Dukes of Saxe-Lauenburg as Dukes of Saxony waned. To follow the remnant House of Ascania in Saxe-Lauenburg, follow this table. For the following Electors of Saxony, see below the House of Wettin.
Bernard IV1385/931436-146316 July 1463Saxe-LauenburgAdelaide of Pomerania-Stolp
1428
two children
John V18 July 14391463-150715 August 1507Saxe-LauenburgDorothea of Brandenburg
12 February 1464
twelve children
Sometimes numbered John IV. He is somestime confused with his uncle, John IV (Eric V and Bernard IV's brother) and a son of his own (John IV, Bishop of Hildesheim).
Magnus I1 January 14701507-15431 August 1543Saxe-LauenburgCatherine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
20 November 1509
Wolfenbüttel
six children
Francis I15101543-157119 March 1581Saxe-LauenburgSibylle of Saxony
8 February 1540
Dresden
nine children
In 1571 – highly indebted – Francis I resigned in favour of his eldest son Magnus II, who had promised to redeem the pawned ducal demesnes with funds he gained as Swedish military commander and by his marriage to a Swedish princess.
Magnus II15431571-157314 March 1603Saxe-LauenburgSophia of Sweden
4 July 1568
Stockholm
one child
Eldest son of Francis I. He didn't pay the debts he promised to pay, and led to war with his father and brothers. Two years later they deposed Magnus II and Francis I re-ascended. Magnus' violent and judicial attempts to regain the duchy failed. In 1588 he was imprisoned for the remainder of his life.
Francis I15101573-158119 March 1581Saxe-LauenburgSibylle of Saxony
8 February 1540
Dresden
nine children
Regained the title in 1573, after pushing back Magnus II.
Francis II10 August 15471581-16192 July 1619Saxe-LauenburgMargaret of Pomerania-Wolgast
26 December 1574
Wolgast
four children

Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
10 November 1582
Wolfenbüttel
fourteen children
Brother of Magnus II. Vice-regent from 1578, administrator from 1581. Joint rule with his brother Maurice between 1581 and 1612. Father of Augustus and Julius Henry.
Maurice15511581-16122 November 1612Saxe-LauenburgKatharina von Spörck
1581
(annulled 1582)
no children
Ruled jointly with his brother Francis II.
Augustus17 February 15771619-165618 January 1656Saxe-LauenburgElisabeth Sofie of Holstein-Gottorp
5 March 1621
Husum
six children

Catherine of Oldenburg
4 June 1633
no children
Left no male descendants; he was succeeded by his half-brother Julius Henry.
Julius Henry9 April 15861656-166520 November 1665Saxe-LauenburgAnna of East Frisia
17 March 1617
Grabow
no children

Elisabeth Sophia of Brandenburg
4 June 1633
Toužim
one child

Anna Magdalena of Lobkowicz
18 August 1632
Vienna
six children
Francis Erdmann25 February 16291665-166630 July 1666Saxe-LauenburgSibylle Hedwig of Saxe-Lauenburg
1654
no children
Left no descendants; He was succeeded by his brother Julius Francis.
Julius Francis16 September 16411666-168930 September 1689Saxe-LauenburgHedwig of the Palatinate-Sulzbach
9 April 1668
Sulzbach
two children

The male line of the Saxe-Lauenburgish Ascanians was extinguished in 1689, after Julius Francis' death. In spite of having left two daughters to inherit the rights to the duchy, the House of Welf usurped the duchy, preventing the succession of the legitimate heiress, Anna Maria Franziska of Saxe-Lauenburg, and resucceeded with its Brunswick and Lunenburg-Celle line. In fact, George William, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg was a great-great-grandson of Magnus I through his great-grandmother Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg. His descendants became Monarchs of Great Britain from 1714 on. In 1814, after being deposed by various occupations in the Napoleonic Wars, George III's son, Regent George agreed to pass Saxe-Lauenburg to his Danish cousin in a general territorial realignment at the Congress of Vienna. This cousin was Frederick VI of Denmark, who changed the official colours of Saxe-Lauenburg to red and gold. The duchy changed hands again when, in 1865, Christian IX of Denmark was deposed in Second Schleswig War and resigned by Treaty of Vienna; Saxe-Lauenburg passed to William I of Prussia, to whom the Estates of Saxe-Lauenburg offered the ducal throne. The coat-of-arms of Saxe-Lauenburg was changed to the colours red and silver, with a border in the Prussian colours of black and white. Both duke and estates decided to merge Saxe-Lauenburg into Prussia, as district Duchy of Lauenburg, with effect from 1 July 1876.

House of Wettin

The Ascanian line of Saxe-Wittenberg became extinct with the death of Elector Albert III in 1422, whereafter Emperor Sigismund bestowed the country and electoral dignity upon Margrave Frederick IV of Meissen, who had been a loyal supporter in the Hussite Wars. Late Albert's Ascanian relative Duke Eric V of Saxe-Lauenburg protested in vain. Frederick, now one of the seven Prince-electors, was a member of the House of Wettin, which since 1089 had ruled over the adjacent Margraviate of Meissen up the Elbe river, established under Emperor Otto I in 965, and since 1242 also over the Landgraviate of Thuringia. Thus, in 1423, Saxe-Wittenberg, the Margraviate of Meissen and Thuringia were united under one ruler, and the unified territory . gradually received the name of (Upper) Saxony (or simply Saxony).

Partitions of Saxony under Wettin rule

Electorate of Saxony
(1422-1464)
Albertine territories Ernestine territories
Albertine Duchy of Saxony
(1464-1547)
Ernestine Electorate of Saxony
(1464-1547)
Duchy of Saxe-Coburg
(1542-1552)
 
Albertine Electorate of Saxony
(1547-1806)
Ernestine Duchy of Saxony
(1547-1554)
 
Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach
(1554-1566)
Saxe-Gotha
(1554-1565)
Saxe-Weimar
(1554-1566)
Ernestine Duchy of Saxony
(1566-1572)
Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach
(1572-1596)
Saxe-Weimar
(1572-1741)
Saxe-Coburg
(1596-1633)
Saxe-Eisenach
(1596-1633)
       Saxe-Altenburg
(1603-1672)
Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach
(1633-1638)
      
Saxe-Eisenach
(1640-1644)
       Saxe-Gotha
(1640-1672)
                   Saxe-Zeitz
(1656-1718)
Saxe-Merseburg
(1656-1738)
Saxe-Weissenfels
(1656-1746)
      
Saxe-Eisenach
(1662-1741)
Saxe-Marksuhl
(1662-1671)
  Saxe-Jena
(1662-1690)
  Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
(1672-1826)
Saxe-Merseburg-Lauchstädt
(1684-1690)
  Saxe-Weissenfels-Querfurt
(1680-1739)
Saxe-Weissenfels-Barby
(1680-1739)
       Saxe-Hildburghausen
(1675-1826)
Saxe-Eisenberg
(1675-1707)
Saxe-Meiningen
(1675-1918)
Saxe-Saalfeld
(1675-1699)
Saxe-Coburg
(1675-1699)
Saxe-Römhild
(1675-1710)
       Saxe-Zeitz-Pegau-Neustadt
(1699-1713)
Saxe-Merseburg-Zörbig
(1691-1715)
       Saxe-Merseburg-Spremberg
(1694-1731)
  Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
(1699-1826)
Saxe-Weissenfels-Dahme
(1711-1715)
      
              
      
       Saxe-Weissenfels
(1739-1746)
Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
(1741-1815)
      
Kingdom of Saxony
(1806-1918)
       Prussian Province of Saxony
(1815-1918)
Grand-Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
(1815-1918)
Saxe-Altenburg
(1826-1918)
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
(1826-1918)

Table of rulers

(Note: Here the numbering of the princes is the same for all principalities, as all were titled Dukes of Saxony, despite of the different parts of land and its particular numbering of the rulers. The princes are numbered following Ascanian Saxe-Wittenberg line (their predecessors) and by the year of their succession.)

RulerBornReignDeathRuling partConsortNotes
Frederick I the Warlike
(Friedrich der Streitbare)
11 April 13706 January 1423 - 4 January 14284 January 1428Duchy of Saxony and Electorate of SaxonyCatherine of Brunswick-Lüneburg
7 February 1402
seven children
After the Wittenberg line of the Ascanians became extinct, the Electorate was given to Frederick, Margrave of Meissen and Landgrave of Thuringia, of the House of Wettin.
Frederick II the Gentle
(Friedrich der Sanftmütige)
22 April 14124 January 1428 - 7 September 14647 September 1464Duchy of Saxony and Electorate of SaxonyMargaret of Austria
3 June 1431
Leipzig
eight children
Son of Frederick I. Ruled jointly in Saxony with his brothers, but was the sole holder of the Electorate. Father of Ernest and Albert, founders of the Ernestine and Albertine Saxon lines.
Ernest I
(Ernst)
24 March 14417 September 1464 - 26 August 148626 August 1486Ernestine
Electorate of Saxony
Elisabeth of Bavaria-Munich
25 November 1460
Leipzig
seven children
Son of Frederick II. He was the founder and progenitor of the Ernestine line of Saxon princes.
Albert V the Bold27 January 14431464–150012 September 1500Albertine
Duchy of Saxony
Sidonie of Poděbrady
11 November 1464
Cheb
nine children
Son of Frederick II. He was the founder and progenitor of the Albertine line of Saxon princes.
Frederick III the Wise
(Friedrich der Weise)
17 January 146326 August 1486 - 5 May 15255 May 1525Ernestine
Electorate of Saxony
UnmarriedSon of Ernest. Protector of Martin Luther, but a lifelong Catholic. Left no male descendants. Ruled jointly with his brother John, who succeeded him.
George I the Bearded27 August 14711500-153917 April 1539Albertine
Duchy of Saxony
Barbara of Poland
21 November 1496
Dresden
ten children
Proponent of Catholic Reform and a staunch opponent of Martin Luther. Left no surviving male descendants. He was succeeded by his brother Henry.
John III the Steadfast
(Johann der Beständige)
30 June 14685 May 1525 - 16 August 153216 August 1532Ernestine
Electorate of Saxony
Sophie of Mecklenburg
1 March 1500
Torgau
one child

Margaret of Anhalt-Köthen
13 November 1513
Torgau
four children
Co-regent of his brother of Frederick III (26 August 1486 - 5 May 1525), with his own residence at Weimar since 1513. Established Lutheranism in his territories in 1527.
John Frederick I the Magnanimous
(Johann Friedrich I der Großmütige)
30 June 150316 August 1532 - 19 May 15473 March 1554Ernestine
Electorate of Saxony
Sibylle of Cleves
9 February 1527
Torgau
four children
Lost his Electoral dignity and territory to his cousin Maurice after being defeated the Emperor in the Schmalkaldic War. He was left with some territories as the Duchy of Saxony. After his death the Duchy of Saxony was divided between his three sons.
19 May 1547 - 1554Albertine
Duchy of Saxony
Henry IV the Pious16 March 14731539-154118 August 1541Albertine
Duchy of Saxony
Catherine of Mecklenburg
69 January 1541
Marburg
nine children
Succeeded his brother of George I. He established Lutheranism in Albertine Saxony.
Maurice I
(Moritz)
21 March 15211541-15479 July 1553Albertine
Duchy of Saxony
Agnes of Hesse
9 January 1541
Marburg
two children
Second cousin of John Frederick, grandson of Albert. Though a Lutheran, allied with Emperor Charles V against the Schmalkaldic League. Gained the Electorate for the Albertine line in 1547 after Charles V's victory at the Battle of Mühlberg. Left no male descendants. He was succeeded by his brother Augustus.
4 June 1547 - 9 July 1553Albertine
Electorate of Saxony
John Ernest I10 May 152116 August 1532 - 8 February 15538 February 1553Ernestine
Saxe-Coburg
Catherine of Brunswick-Grubenhagen
12 February 1542
Torgau
no children
Until 1542, John Ernest was co-regent of his brother, Elector John Frederick I. When John Frederick decided to rule alone, he created the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg for his brother. After his death without descendants, the land reverted to John Frederick.
Following their displacement by the Albertines, the Ernestine branch of the Wettins continued to rule in southern Thuringia as "Dukes of Saxony", but their lands eventually split up into many different tiny Ernestine duchies.
Augustus I
(August)
31 July 15269 July 1553 - 11 February 158611 February 1586Albertine
Electorate of Saxony
Anna of Denmark
7 October 1548
Torgau
fifteen children

Agnes Hedwig of Anhalt
3 January 1586
Dessau
no children
Brother of Maurice. Recognized as Elector by the ousted John Frederick I in 1554.
John Frederick II 8 January 1529 1554-1565 19 May 1595 Ernestine
Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach
Agnes of Hesse
26 May 1555
Weimar
no children

Elisabeth of the Palatinate-Simmern-Sponheim
12 June 1558
Weimar
four children
Received Saxe-Weimar. In 1565 united his domains with those of his younger brother in Gotha. In 1566 abdicated in favor of his brother John William, who reunited the duchy.
1565-1566Ernestine
Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach and Saxe-Gotha
John Frederick III the Younger16 January 15381554-156521 October 1565Ernestine
Saxe-Gotha
UnmarriedReceived Saxe-Gotha. However he left its administration to his elder brothers. After his death, his domains were annexed by his elder brother.
John William I 11 March 1530 1554-1566 2 March 1573 Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar
Dorothea Susanne of the Palatinate-Simmern
15 June 1560
Heidelberg
five children
Received Saxe-Weimar. In 1565 united his domains with those of his younger brother in Gotha. Reunited Saxony in 1566, after the abdication of his older brother. In 1572, the Division of Erfurt divided Saxony once again, between John William and his nephews, sons of John Frederick II. He received once more Saxe-Weimar.
1566-1572Ernestine
Duchy of Saxony
1572-1573Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar
John Casimir 12 June 1564 1572-1596 16 July 1633 Ernestine
Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach
Anna of Saxony
16 January 1586
Dresden
no children

Margaret of Brunswick-Lüneburg
16 September 1599
Coburg
no children
Sons of John Frederick II, ruled jointly. In 1596 divided the land. John Casimir received Saxe-Coburg and John Ernest received Saxe-Eisenach. In 1633 John Casimir died without descendants and John Ernest reunited again Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach. However, as he also didn't have heirs, the duchies were divided between its neighbours Saxe-Altenburg and Saxe-Weimar.
1596-1633Ernestine
Saxe-Coburg
John Ernest II 9 July 1566 1572-1596 23 October 1638 Ernestine
Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach
Elisabeth of Mansfeld-Hinterort
23 November 1591
Wiener Neustadt
one child

Christine of Hesse-Kassel
14 May 1598
Rotenburg an der Fulda
no children
1596-1633Ernestine
Saxe-Eisenach
1633-1638Ernestine
Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach
Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach divided between its neighbours Saxe-Altenburg and Saxe-Weimar
Augustus I, Elector of Saxony
(regent)
31 July 15261573-158611 February 1586Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar
Anna of Denmark
7 October 1548
Torgau
fifteen children

Agnes Hedwig of Anhalt
3 January 1586
Dessau
no children
Named regent for Frederick William.
Frederick William I25 April 15621586-16027 July 1602Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar
Sophie of Württemberg
5 May 1583
Weimar
six children

Anna Maria of the Palatinate-Neuburg
9 September 1591
Neuburg an der Donau
six children
After his death, his brother took the land and in the next year divided it with his nephews (sons of Frederick William).
Christian I
(Christian I)
21 March 152111 February 1586 - 25 September 159125 September 1591Albertine
Electorate of Saxony
Sophie of Brandenburg
25 April 1582
Dresden
seven children
Sophie of Brandenburg (regent)6 June 156825 September 1591 - c.16017 December 1622Albertine
Electorate of Saxony
Christian I
25 April 1582
Dresden
seven children
Regent on behalf of her son Christian II.
Christian II
(Christian II)
23 September 1583c.1601 - 23 June 161123 June 1611Albertine
Electorate of Saxony
Hedwig of Denmark
12 September 1602
Dresden
no children
John IV22 May 15701602-160518 July 1605Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar
Dorothea Maria of Anhalt
7 January 1593
Altenburg
twelve children
Divided Saxe-Weimar with his nephews in 1603, retaining a smaller Saxe-Weimar (sometimes called Saxe-Weimar-Jena).
John Philip25 January 15971603-16391 April 1639Ernestine
Saxe (-Weimar) -Altenburg
Elisabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
25 October 1618
Altenburg
one child
Received and ruled jointly the newly-created Saxe-Altenburg, after the partition of 1603. None of them had male descendants.
Frederick IV12 February 15991603-162524 October 1625Ernestine
Saxe (-Weimar) -Altenburg
Unmarried
John William II13 April 16001603-16322 December 1632Ernestine
Saxe(-Weimar)-Altenburg
Unmarried
John Ernest III21 February 1594 1605-16266 December 1626Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar
Unmarried Sons of John IV, ruled jointly. In 1640 divided the land. William kept Saxe-Weimar. In 1644 William reunited his own domains with Albert's. After William's death his domains were divided by his four sons.
William I the Great 11 April 1598 1626-1644 17 May 1662 Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar
Eleonore Dorothea of Anhalt-Dessau
23 May 1625
Weimar
nine children
1644-1662Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar and Saxe-Eisenach
Albert VI 27 July 1599 1605-1640 20 December 1644 Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar
Dorothea of Saxe-Altenburg
24 June 1633
Weimar
no children
1640-1644Ernestine
Saxe (-Weimar) -Eisenach
Ernest II the Pious 25 December 1601 1605-1640 26 March 1675 Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar
Elisabeth Sophie of Saxe-Altenburg
24 October 1636
Altenburg
eighteen children
1640-1672Ernestine
Saxe (-Weimar) -Gotha
John George I
(Johann Georg I)
5 March 158523 June 1611 - 8 October 16568 October 1656Albertine
Electorate of Saxony
Sibylle Elisabeth of Württemberg
16 September 1604
Dresden
one child

Magdalene Sibylle of Prussia
19 July 1607
Torgau
ten children
Brother of Christian II, ruled during the Thirty Years' War, during which he was at times allied with the Emperor and at times with the King of Sweden.
Frederick William II12 February 16021639-166922 April 1669Ernestine
Saxe (-Weimar) -Altenburg
Sophie Elisabeth of Brandenburg
18 September 1638
Altenburg
no children

Magdalene Sibylle of Saxony
11 October 1652
Dresden
three children
Brother of John Philip, Frederick and John William. Succeeded his childless brothers. Received part of Saxe-Weimar-Eiesnach in 1638.
John George II
(Johann Georg II)
31 May 16138 October 1656 - 22 August 168022 August 1680Albertine
Electorate of Saxony
Magdalene Sibylle of Brandenburg-Bayreuth
13 November 1638
Dresden
three children
Augustus II13 August 16141656-16804 June 1680Albertine
Saxe-Weissenfels
Anna Maria of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
23 November 1647
Schwerin
twelve children

Johanna Walpurgis of Leiningen-Westerburg
29 January 1672
Halle
three children
Son of Elector John George I. Inherited Saxe-Weissenfels. After his death, Weissenfels was divided.
Christian III27 October 16151656-169118 October 1691Albertine
Saxe-Merseburg
Christiana of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg
19 November 1650
Dresden
eleven children
Son of Elector John George I. Inherited Saxe-Merseburg.
Maurice II28 March 16191662-16814 December 1681Albertine
Saxe-Zeitz
Sophie Hedwig of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg
19 November 1650
Dresden
two children

Dorothea Maria of Saxe-Weimar
3 July 1656
Weimar
ten children

Sophie Elisabeth of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Wiesenburg
14 June 1676
Wiesenburg
no children
Son of Elector John George I. Inherited Saxe-Merseburg.
John Ernest IV11 September 16271662-168315 May 1683Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar
Christine Elisabeth of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg
14 August 1656
Weimar
five children
Son of William I. Received the remaining Saxe-Weimar.
Bernard IV14 October 16381662-16783 May 1678Ernestine
Saxe-Jena
Marie Charlotte de la Trémoille
10 June 1662
Paris
five children
Son of William I. Received Saxe-Jena.
Adolf William15 May 16321662-166821 November 1668Ernestine
Saxe-Eisenach
Marie Elisabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
18 January 1663
Wolfenbüttel
five children
Son of William I. Received Saxe-Eisenach.
John George III11 April 15981662-167117 May 1662Ernestine
Saxe-Marksuhl
Johannetta of Sayn-Wittgenstein
29 May 1661
Wallau
nine children
Son of William I. Received Saxe-Marksuhl. Inherited Eisenach from his minor nephew in 1671, merging Marksuhl in Eisenach.
Saxe-Marksuhl was annexed by Saxe-Eisenach
John George III, Duke of Saxe-Marksuhl (regent)12 July 1634 1668-167119 September 1686Ernestine
Saxe-Eisenach
Johannetta of Sayn-Wittgenstein
29 May 1661
Wallau
nine children
Regent for his nephew.
William August30 November 166823 February 1671Saxe-EisenachUnmarriedDied as a minor. His uncle, as regent, inherited his domain.
John George II, Elector of Saxony (regent)31 May 1613 1669-167222 August 1680Ernestine
Saxe (-Weimar) -Altenburg
Magdalene Sibylle of Brandenburg-Bayreuth
13 November 1638
Dresden
three children
Regent in mae of Frederick William III. The minor duke never reached adulthood.
Frederick William III12 July 165714 April 1672Ernestine
Saxe (-Weimar) -Altenburg
UnmarriedSon of Frederick William II. Died as a minor. His lands were divided between Saxe-Gotha and Saxe-Weimar.
Saxe-Altenburg merged in Saxe-Gotha to form Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
John George III12 July 16341671-168619 September 1686Ernestine
Saxe-Eisenach
Johannetta of Sayn-Wittgenstein
29 May 1661
Wallau
nine children
Inherited Eisenach from his minor nephew in 1671, merging Marksuhl in Eisenach.
Ernest II the Pious25 December 16011672-167526 March 1675Ernestine
Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
Elisabeth Sophie of Saxe-Altenburg
24 October 1636
Altenburg
eighteen children
Reunited his domains and his wife's (as heiress of Saxe-Altenburg).
Frederick V15 July 16461675-16912 August 1691Ernestine
Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
Magdalena Sibylle of Saxe-Weissenfels
14 November 1669
Halle
eight children

Christine of Baden-Durlach
14 August 1681
Ansbach
no children
Son of Ernest II. Received Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg.
Albert VII24 May 16481675-16996 August 1699Ernestine
Saxe-Coburg
Marie Elisabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
18 July 1676
Gotha
one child

Susanne Elisabeth Kempinsky
24 May 1688
Coburg
morganatic
no children
Son of Ernest II. Received Saxe-Coburg. Left no male descendants. His lands were annexed by Saafeld.
Saxe-Coburg merged in Saxe-Saalfeld to form Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
Bernard V10 September 16491675-170627 April 1706Ernestine
Saxe-Meiningen
Marie Hedwig of Hesse-Darmstadt
20 November 1671
Gotha
seven children

Elisabeth Eleonore of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
25 January 1681
Schöningen
five children
Son of Ernest II. Received Saxe-Meiningen.
Henry V19 November 16501675-171013 May 1710Ernestine
Saxe-Römhild
Marie Elisabeth of Hesse-Darmstadt
1 March 1676
Darmstadt
no children
Son of Ernest II. Received Saxe-Römhild. Left no descendants and his lands were anexed to Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld.
Saxe-Römhild was annexed by Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
Christian IV6 January 16531675-170728 April 1707Ernestine
Saxe-Eisenberg
Christiane of Saxe-Merseburg
13 February 1677
Merseburg
one child

Sophie Marie of Hesse-Darmstadt
9 February 1681
Darmstadt
no children
Son of Ernest II. Received Saxe-Eisenberg. Left no male descendants and his lands were anexed to Saxe-Hildburghausen.
Saxe-Eisenberg was annexed by Saxe-Hildburghausen
Ernest III12 June 16551675-171517 October 1715Ernestine
Saxe-Hildburghausen
Sophie of Waldeck
30 November 1680
Arolsen
eighteen children
Son of Ernest II. Received Saxe-Hildburghausen.
John Ernest V 22 August 1658 1675-1699 17 February 1729 Ernestine
Saxe-Saalfeld
Sophie Hedwig of Saxe-Merseburg
18 February 1680
Merseburg
five children

Charlotte Johanna of Waldeck-Wildungen
2 December 1690
Maastricht
eight children
Son of Ernest II. Received Saxe-Saafeld. In 1699 reunified it with Saxe-Coburg, forming Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld.
1699-1729Ernestine
Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
John Ernest IV, Duke of Saxe-Weimar (regent)11 September 16271678-168315 May 1683Ernestine
Saxe-Jena
Christine Elisabeth of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg
14 August 1656
Weimar
five children
Regent for his nephew.
John George III, Duke of Saxe-Eisenach (regent)12 July 16341683-168619 September 1686Ernestine
Saxe-Jena
Johannetta of Sayn-Wittgenstein
29 May 1661
Wallau
nine children
Regent for his nephew.
William Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Weimar (regent)19 October 16621686-169026 August 1728Ernestine
Saxe-Jena
Charlotte Marie of Saxe-Jena
2 November 1683
Eisenach
no children
Regent for his cousin.
John William III28 March 16751678-16904 November 1690Ernestine
Saxe-Jena
UnmarriedSon of Bernard IV. Died as a minor.
Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach divided between its neighbours Saxe-Eisenach and Saxe-Weimar
John George IV
(Johann Georg III)
20 June 164722 August 1680 - 12 September 169112 September 1691Albertine
Electorate of Saxony
Anna Sophie of Denmark
9 October 1666
Copenhagen
two children
John Adolph I2 November 16491680-169724 May 1697Albertine
Saxe-Weissenfels-Querfurt
Johanna Magdalena of Saxe-Altenburg
25 October 1671
Altenburg
eleven children

Christiane Wilhelmine of Bünau
3 February 1692
Querfurt
(morganatic)
eleven children
Inherited the remaining Saxe-Weissenfels.
Henry VI29 September 16571680-172816 February 1728Albertine
Saxe-Weissenfels-Barby
Elisabeth Albertine of Anhalt-Dessau
30 March 1686
Dessau
seven children
Inherited Saxe-Weissenfels-Barby.
Maurice William I12 March 16641681-171815 November 1718Albertine
Saxe-Zeitz
Marie Amalie of Brandenburg
25 June 1689
Potsdam
five children
Left no descendants. After his death Saxe-Zeitz merged in the Electorate.
Saxe-Zeitz merged in the Electorate of Saxony
William Ernest I19 October 16621683-172826 August 1728Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar
Charlotte Marie of Saxe-Jena
2 November 1683
Eisenach
no children
Ruled jointly. John Ernest was just a nominal ruler; William Ernest had full government.
John Ernest VI22 June 16641683-170710 May 1707Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar
Sophie Auguste of Anhalt-Zerbst
11 October 1685
Zerbst
five children

Charlotte of Hesse-Homburg
4 November 1694
Kassel
four children
Philip26 October 16571684-16901 July 1690Albertine
Saxe-Merseburg-Lauchstädt
Eleonore Sophie of Saxe-Weimar
9 July 1684
Weimar
two children

Louise Elisabeth of Württemberg-Oels
17 August 1688
Bernstadt
one child
Son of Christian. Received from his father the town of Lauchstädt, and ruled it in his father's lifetime. After his death his land returned to is father.
John George V24 July 16651686-169810 November 1698Ernestine
Saxe-Eisenach
Sophie Charlotte of Württemberg
20 September 1688
Kirchheim unter Teck
no children
Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
John George VI
(Johann Georg IV)
18 October 166812 September 1691 - 27 April 169427 April 1694Albertine
Electorate of Saxony
Eleonore Erdmuthe of Saxe-Eisenach
17 April 1692
Leipzig
no children
Christian V19 November 16531691-169420 October 1694Albertine
Saxe-Merseburg
Erdmuthe Dorothea of Saxe-Zeitz
14 October 1679
Moritzburg
seven children
Augustus III15 February 16551691-171527 March 1715Albertine
Saxe-Merseburg-Zörbig
Hedwig of Mecklenburg-Güstrow
1 December 1686
Güstrow
eight children
Son of Christian. Received from his brother the town of Zörbig. Left no male descendants. His lands returned to Saxe-Merseburg.
Saxe-Merseburg-Zörbig merged in Saxe-Merseburg
Bernard V, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (regent)10 September 1649 1691-169327 April 1706Ernestine
Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
Marie Hedwig of Hesse-Darmstadt
20 November 1671
Gotha
seven children

Elisabeth Eleonore of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
25 January 1681
Schöningen
five children
Regents in name of their nephew, Frederick VI.
Henry V, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (regent)19 November 165013 May 1710Ernestine
Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
Marie Elisabeth of Hesse-Darmstadt
1 March 1676
Darmstadt
no children
Frederick VI28 July 16761693-173223 March 1732Ernestine
Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
Magdalena Augusta of Anhalt-Zerbst
7 June 1696
Gotha
nineteen children
Frederick Augustus I the Strong
(Friedrich August I)
12 May 167027 April 1694 - 1 February 17331 February 1733Albertine
Electorate of Saxony
Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth
20 January 1693
Bayreuth
one child
Brother of John George IV. Converted to Catholicism 1697 in order to compete for the crown of Poland. Took the Polish crown 1697, opposed by Stanisław Leszczyński, in 1704, forced to renounce the throne 1706, returned as monarch 1709 until his death.
Henry VII2 September 16611694-173128 July 1738Albertine
Saxe-Merseburg-Spremberg
Elisabeth of Mecklenburg-Güstrow
29 March 1692
Güstrow
three children
Son of Christian. Received from his brother the town of Spremberg. In 1731 succeeded in Saxe-Merseburg, reuniting its original lands with those he unexpectedly inherited.
Saxe-Merseburg-Spremberg merged in Saxe-Merseburg
Frederick Augustus I, Elector of Saxony (regent)12 May 1670 1694-17121 February 1733Albertine
Saxe-Merseburg
Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth
20 January 1693
Bayreuth
one child
Regents on behalf of Christian Maurice, and then of Maurice Wilhelm.
Erdmuthe Dorothea of Saxe-Zeitz (regent)13 November 166129 April 1720Albertine
Saxe-Merseburg
Christian V
14 October 1679
Moritzburg
seven children
Christian VI Maurice7 November 1680169414 November 1694Albertine
Saxe-Merseburg
Unmarried
Maurice William II5 February 16881712-173121 April 1731Albertine
Saxe-Merseburg
Henriette Charlotte of Nassau-Idstein
4 November 1711
Istein
one child
Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his uncle, Henry.
John George VII13 July 16771697-171216 March 1712Albertine
Saxe-Weissenfels-Querfurt
Fredericka Elisabeth of Saxe-Eisenach
7 January 1698
Jena
seven children
Left no male descendants. He was succeeded by his brother Christian.
John William IV17 October 16661698-172914 January 1729Ernestine
Saxe-Eisenach
Amalie of Nassau-Dietz
28 November 1690
Oranjewoud
two children

Christine Juliane of Baden-Durlach
27 February 1697
Wolfenbüttel
seven children

Magdalene Sibylle of Saxe-Weissenfels
28 July 1708
Weissenfels
three children

Marie Christine Felizitas of Leiningen-Dagsburg-Falkenburg-Heidesheim
29 May 1727
Hanau
no children
Frederick Henry21 July 16681699-171318 December 1713Albertine
Saxe-Zeitz-Pegau-Neustadt
Sophie Angelika of Württemberg-Oels
23 April 1699
Oleśnica
no children

Anna Fredericka Philippine of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Wiesenburg
27 February 1702
Moritzburg
two children
Son of Maurice. Received from his brother the towns of Pegau and Neustadt. Left no male descendants. His lands returned to Saxe-Zeitz.
Saxe-Zeitz-Pegau-Neustadt merged in Saxe-Zeitz
Ernest Louis I7 October 16721706-172424 November 1724Ernestine
Saxe-Meiningen
Dorothea Marie of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
19 September 1704
Gotha
five children

Elisabeth Sophie of Brandenburg
3 June 1714
Coburg
no children
Frederick VII20 November 16731711-171516 April 1715Albertine
Saxe-Weissenfels-Dahme
Emilie Agnes Reuss of Schleiz
13 February 1711
Dahme
no children
Son of Augustus. His brother John Adolph gave him in 1711 Saxe-Weissenfels-Dahme. After his death Dahme was reabsorbed by Saxe-Weissenfels-Querfurt.
Saxe-Weissenfels-Dahme merged in Saxe-Weissenfels-Querfurt
Christian VII23 February 16821712-173628 June 1736Albertine
Saxe-Weissenfels-Querfurt
Louise Christine of Stolberg-Stolberg-Ortenberg
12 May 1712
Stolberg
no children
Left no male descendants. He was succeeded by his brother John Adolf.
Ernest Frederick I21 August 16811715-17249 March 1724Ernestine
Saxe-Hildburghausen
Sophia Albertine of Erbach-Erbach
4 February 1704
Erbach im Odenwald
fourteen children
Sophia Albertine of Erbach-Erbach (regent)30 July 16831724-17284 September 1742Ernestine
Saxe-Hildburghausen
Ernest Frederick I
4 February 1704
Erbach im Odenwald
fourteen children
Regent on behalf of her son.
Ernest Frederick II17 December 17071728-174513 August 1745Ernestine
Saxe-Hildburghausen
Caroline of Erbach-Fürstenau
19 June 1726
Fürstenau
four children
Ernest Louis II8 August 17091724-172924 February 1729Ernestine
Saxe-Meiningen
UnmarriedLeft no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
George Albert19 April 16951728-173912 June 1739Albertine
Saxe-Weissenfels-Barby
Auguste Louise of Württemberg-Oels
18 February 1721
Forst
no children
Left no descendants, and his land merged in Saxe-Weissenfels.
Saxe-Weissenfels-Barby merged in Saxe-Weissenfels
William Henry10 November 16911729-174126 July 1741Ernestine
Saxe-Eisenach
Albertine Juliane of Nassau-Idstein
15 February 1713
Idstein
no children

Anna Sophie Charlotte of Brandenburg-Schwedt
3 June 1723
Berlin
no children
Left no descendants: Saxe-Eisenach merged with Saxe-Weimar.
Saxe-Eisenach merged in Saxe-Weimar to form Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Ernest Augustus I 19 April 1688 1728-1741 19 January 1748 Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar
Eleonore Wilhelmine of Anhalt-Köthen
2 November 1683
Nienburg
eight children

Sophie Charlotte of Brandenburg-Bayreuth
7 April 1734
Bayreuth
four children
Son of John Ernest VI. Reunited under his rule the duchies of Saxe-Weimar and Eisenach.
1741-1748Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Christian Ernest18 August 16831729-17454 September 1745Ernestine
Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
Christiane Fredericka of Koss
18 August 1724
Naitschau
(morganatic)
no children
Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
Charles Frederick I18 July 17121729-174328 March 1743Ernestine
Saxe-Meiningen
UnmarriedBrother of Ernest Louis II. Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his uncle.
Henry VII2 September 16611731-173828 July 1738Albertine
Saxe-Merseburg
Elisabeth of Mecklenburg-Güstrow
29 March 1692
Güstrow
three children
In 1731 succeeded in Saxe-Merseburg, reuniting its original lands with those he unexpectedly inherited. Left no descendants and Saxe-Merseburg merged in the Electorate of Saxony.
Saxe-Merseburg merged in the Electorate of Saxony
Frederick VIII14 April 16991732-177210 March 1772Ernestine
Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
Luise Dorothea of Saxe-Meiningen
17 September 1729
Gotha
eight children
Frederick Augustus II the Fat'
(Friedrich August II)
17 October 16961 February 1733 - 5 October 17635 October 1763Albertine
Electorate of Saxony
Maria Josepha of Austria
20 August 1719
Dresden
sixteen children
Son of Frederick Augustus I. Converted to Catholicism 1712. King of Poland 1734–1763.
John Adolph II4 September 16851736-174616 May 1746Albertine
Saxe-Weissenfels-Querfurt
Johannette Antoinette Juliane of Saxe-Eisenach
9 May 1721
Eisenach
one child

Fredericka of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
27 November 1734
Altenburg
five children
Left no male descendants. After his death the Duchy was reannexed by the Electorate of Saxony.
Saxe-Weissenfels-Querfurt merged in the Electorate of Saxony
Frederick William IV16 February 16791743-174610 March 1746Ernestine
Saxe-Meiningen
UnmarriedBrother of Ernest Louis I. Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his half-brother.
Caroline of Erbach-Fürstenau (regent)29 September 17001745-17487 May 1758Ernestine
Saxe-Hildburghausen
Ernest Frederick II
19 June 1726
Fürstenau
four children
Regent on behalf of her son.
Ernest Frederick III10 June 17271748-178023 September 1780Ernestine
Saxe-Hildburghausen
Louise of Denmark
1 October 1749
Copenhagen
one child

Christiane Sophie Charlotte of Brandenburg-Bayreuth
20 January 1757
Copenhagen
one child

Ernestine of Saxe-Weimar
1 July 1758
Bayreuth
three children
Francis Josias25 September 16971745-176416 September 1764Ernestine
Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
Anna Sophie of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt
2 January 1723
Rudolstadtbr>eight children
Brother of Christian Ernest.
Anthony Ulrich22 October 16871746-176327 January 1763Ernestine
Saxe-Meiningen
Philippine Elisabeth Caesar
January 1711
morganatic
ten children

Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Philippsthal
26 September 1750
Bad Homburg vor der Höhe
eight children
Francis Josias, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (regent)25 September 1697 1748-175516 September 1764Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Anna Sophie of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt
2 January 1723
Rudolstadtbr>eight children
Regents in name of Ernest Augstus I's son, Ernest Augustus II.
Frederick VIII, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg (regent)14 April 169910 March 1772Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Luise Dorothea of Saxe-Meiningen
17 September 1729
Gotha
eight children
Ernest Augustus II2 June 17371755-175828 May 1758Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Anna Amalia of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
16 March 1756
Brunswick
two children
Anna Amalia of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (regent)24 October 17391758-177510 April 1807Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Ernest Augustus II
16 March 1756
Brunswick
two children
Charles Augustus3 September 17571775-182814 June 1828Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Louise of Hesse-Darmstadt
3 October 1775
Karlsruhe
seven children
In 1815 his rank of Duke was elevated to Grand Duke; from 1815 Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach becomes a Grand Duchy.
Frederick Christian
(Friedrich Christian)
5 September 17225 October 1763 - 17 December 176317 December 1763Albertine
Electorate of Saxony
Maria Antonia of Bavaria
13 June 1747
Munich
(by proxy)
20 June 1747
Dresden
(in person)
nine children
Son of Frederick Augustus II, raised Catholic.
Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Philippsthal (regent)11 August 17301763-17797 September 1801Ernestine
Saxe-Meiningen
Anthony Ulrich
26 September 1750
Bad Homburg vor der Höhe
eight children
Charles William19 November 17541779-178221 January 1782Ernestine
Saxe-Meiningen
Louise of Stolberg-Gedern
5 June 1780
Gedern
no children
Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
Maria Antonia of Bavaria (regent)18 July 172417 December 1763 - c.176823 April 1780Albertine
Electorate of Saxony
Frederick Christian
13 June 1747
Munich
(by proxy)
20 June 1747
Dresden
(in person)
nine children
Regent on behalf of her son and heir, Frederick Augustus.
Frederick Augustus III the Just
(Friedrich August III)
23 December 1750c.1768 - 20 December 18065 May 1827Albertine
Electorate of Saxony
Amalie of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld
17 January 1769
Mannheim
(by proxy)
29 January 1769
Dresden
(in person)
four children
Son of Frederick Christian. His Electorate ceased with the fall of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, and he became King of Saxony.
In 1806 The Elector of Saxony became King of an independent Kingdom of Saxony. For the Kings that followed the electors, see below the Kingdom of Saxony. To continue the list of the multiple duchies that were contemporaries of this kingdom, follow this table.
Ernest Frederick IV8 March 17241764-18008 September 1800Ernestine
Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
Sophie Antoinette of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
23 April 1749
Wolfenbüttelbr>seven children
Ernest IV30 January 17451772-180420 April 1804Ernestine
Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
Charlotte of Saxe-Meiningen
21 March 1769
Meiningen
four children
Prince Joseph of Saxe-Hildburghausen (regent)5 October 17021780-17874 January 1787Ernestine
Saxe-Hildburghausen
Maria Anna Victoria of Savoy
17 April 1738
Paris
(annulled 1757)
no children
Son of Ernest III. Regent on behalf of Frederick VIII.
Frederick IX29 April 17631787-182629 September 1834Ernestine
Saxe-Hildburghausen
Charlotte Georgine of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
3 September 1785
Hildburghausen
twelve children
Inherited Altenburg from Frederick X. The duchy changed its name to Saxe-Altenburg.
George II4 February 17611782-180324 December 1803Ernestine
Saxe-Meiningen
Louise Eleonore of Hohenlohe-Langenburg
27 November 1782
Langenburg
four children
Francis15 July 17501800-18069 December 1806Ernestine
Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
Sophie of Saxe-Hildburghausen
6 March 1776
Hildburghausen
no children

Augusta Reuss of Ebersdorf
13 June 1777
Ebersdorf
ten children
Louise Eleonore of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (regent)11 August 17631803-182130 April 1837Ernestine
Saxe-Meiningen
George I
27 November 1782
Langenburg
four children
Regent on behalf of her son.
Bernard VI17 December 18001821-18823 December 1882Ernestine
Saxe-Meiningen
Marie Frederica of Hesse-Kassel
23 March 1825
Kassel
two children
Augustus IV23 November 17721804-182217 May 1822Ernestine
Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
Louise Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
21 October 1797
Ludwigslust
one child

Karoline Amalie of Hesse-Kassel
24 April 1802
Kassel
no children
Left no male descendants. The land was inherited by his brother Frederick
Ernest V2 January 17841806-184429 January 1844Ernestine
Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (1800-1826)

Ernestine
Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1826-1844)
Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
3 July 1817
Gotha
two children

Marie of Württemberg
23 December 1832
Coburg
no children
Inherited Gotha from Frederick IX, but had to cede Saafeld to Saxe-Meiningen. The duchy changed its name to Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Frederick X28 November 17741822-182511 February 1825Ernestine
Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
UnmarriedBrother of Augustus. Left no male descendants. The land was divided between Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld and Saxe-Hildburghausen.
Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg divided between its neighbours Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld and Saxe-Hildburghausen
Frederick IX29 April 17631826-183429 September 1834Ernestine
Saxe (-Hildburghausen)-Altenburg
Charlotte Georgine of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
3 September 1785
Hildburghausen
twelve children
Inherited Altenburg from Frederick X. The duchy of Saxe-Hildburghausen changed its name to Saxe-Altenburg.
Charles Frederick II2 February 17831828-18538 July 1853Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Maria Pavlovna of Russia
3 August 1804
St. Petersburg
four children
Joseph27 August 17891834-184825 November 1868Ernestine
Saxe (-Hildburghausen)-Altenburg
Amelia of Württemberg
24 April 1817
Kirchheim unter Teck
six children
He implemented several buildings in Altenburg, but his government was considered conservative and resistant to reform; for this, he was forced to abdicate during the civil revolution of 1848. Left no male descendants. He was succeeded by his brother George.
Ernest VI21 June 18181844-189322 August 1893Ernestine
Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Alexandrine of Baden
3 May 1842
Karlsruhe
no children
Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his nephews.
George III24 July 17961848-18533 August 1853Ernestine
Saxe (-Hildburghausen)-Altenburg
Marie Louise of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
7 October 1825
Ludwigslust
three children
Brother of Joseph.
Charles Alexander24 June 18181853-19015 January 1901Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Sophie of the Netherlands
8 October 1842
The Hague
four children
Ernest VII16 February 18261853-19087 February 1908Ernestine
Saxe (-Hildburghausen)-Altenburg
Agnes of Anhalt-Dessau
28 April 1853
Ludwigslust
two children
Left no male descendants. He was succeeded by his nephew.
George IV2 April 18261882-191425 June 1914Ernestine
Saxe-Meiningen
Charlotte of Prussia
18 May 1850
Berlin
four children

Feodora of Hohenlohe-Langenburg
23 October 1858
Langenburg
three children

Ellen Franz
18 March 1873
Liebenstein
(morganatic)
no children
Alfred6 August 18441893-190030 July 1900Ernestine
Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Maria Alexandrovna of Russia
23 January 1874
St Petersburg
six children
Son of Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Queen Victoria.
Charles Edward19 July 18841900-19186 March 1954Ernestine
Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Victoria Adelaide of Schleswig-Holstein
11 October 1905
Schleswig
five children
Son of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany; Nephew of Alfred. Monarchy abolished in 1918.
William Ernest II10 June 18761901-191824 April 1923Ernestine
Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Caroline Reuss of Greiz
30 April 1903
Bückeburg
no children

Feodora of Saxe-Meiningen
14 January 1910
Meiningen
four children
Grandson of Charles Alexander, as son of Charles Augustus, Hereditary Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. Monarchy abolished in 1918.
Ernest VIII31 August 18711908-191822 March 1955Ernestine
Saxe (-Hildburghausen)-Altenburg
Adelaide of Schaumburg-Lippe
17 February 1898
Bückeburg
(annulled 1920)
four children

Maria Triebel
15 July 1934
Trockenborn-Wolfersdorf
(morganatic)
no children
Grandson of George III, as son of Prince Moritz of Saxe-Altenburg. Monarchy abolished in 1918.
Bernard VII1 April 18511914-191816 January 1928Ernestine
Saxe-Meiningen
Charlotte of Prussia
18 February 1878
Berlin
two children
Monarchy abolished in 1918.

Kingdom of Saxony

The Holy Roman Empire came to an end in 1806. The Elector of Saxony, allied to Napoleon I, anticipated its dissolution by becoming the ruler of an independent Kingdom of Saxony in 1806.

RulerBornReignDeathRuling partConsortNotes
Frederick Augustus I the Just
(Friedrich August I)
23 December 175020 December 1806 - 5 May 18275 May 1827Kingdom of SaxonyAmalie of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld
17 January 1769
Mannheim
(by proxy)
29 January 1769
Dresden
(in person)
four children
In 1806 became King of the newly-independent Kingdom of Saxony. Also Duke of Warsaw 1807–1813. Left no male descendants. He was succeeded by his brother. (The numbering resets in this point).
Anthony the Kind
(Anton der Gütige)
27 December 17555 May 1827 - 6 June 18366 June 1836Kingdom of SaxonyMaria Carolina of Savoy
29 September 1781
Stupinigi
(by proxy)
24 October 1781
Dresden
(in person)
no children

Maria Theresa of Austria
8 September 1787
Florence
(by proxy)
18 October 1787
Dresden
(in person)
four children
Left no male descendants. He was succeeded by his nephew.
Frederick Augustus II
(Friedrich August II)
18 May 17976 June 1836 - 9 August 18549 August 1854Kingdom of SaxonyMaria Carolina of Austria
26 September 1819
Vienna
(by proxy)
7 October 1819
Dresden
(by person)
no children

Maria Anna of Bavaria
24 April 1833
Dresden
no children
Son of Prince Maximilian of Saxony. Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
John
(Johann I)
12 December 18019 August 1854 - 29 October 187329 October 1873Kingdom of SaxonyAmalie Auguste of Bavaria
10 November 1822
Munich
(by proxy)
21 November 1822
Dresden
(in person)
nine children
Became a subordinate ruler in the German Empire after the Unification of Germany in 1871.
Albert the Good
(Albrecht I)
23 April 182829 October 1873 - 19 June 190219 June 1902Kingdom of SaxonyCarola of Sweden
18 June 1853
Dresden
no children
George
(Georg)
8 August 183219 June 1902 - 15 October 190415 October 1904Kingdom of SaxonyMaria Anna of Portugal
11 May 1859
Lisbon
eight children
Frederick Augustus III
(Friedrich August III)
25 May 186515 October 1904 - 13 November 191818 February 1932Kingdom of SaxonyLouise of Austria
21 November 1891
Vienna
(annulled by royal decree in 1903, after her escape from court)
seven children
The last King of Saxony. Abdicated voluntarily in the German Revolution of 1918–19.[1]

Heads of the House of Wettin since 1918

The legal line of succession of the house of Wettin has continued to the present, although the house no longer plays any political role. For heads of republican Saxony, see List of Ministers-President of Saxony.

See also

References

  1. "Information in English language - Saxony during the Weimar Republic 1918-1933". www.sachsen.de. Archived from the original on 6 April 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
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