Герцоги, курфюрсты и короли Саксонии: История династий

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This article lists dukes, electors, and kings ruling over different territories named Saxony from the beginning of the Saxon Duchy in the 6th century to the end of the German monarchies in 1918. The electors of Saxony from John the Steadfast onwards were Lutheran until Augustus II of Saxony converted to Catholicism in order to be elected King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. His descendants (including all Kings of Saxony) have since been Catholic.

The original Duchy of Saxony comprised the lands of the Saxons 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. Frankish king Charlemagne conquered Saxony and integrated it into the Carolingian Empire. In the later 9th century, power began to shift from the (Eastern) Frankish king to the local Saxon rulers, resulting in the emergence of the Younger stem duchy.

Hadugato (fl. c. 531)
Berthoald (fl. c. 622)
Theoderic (fl. c. 743–744)
Widukind (c. 777–785), leader against Charlemagne
Albion (fl. c. 785–811)

Dukes of Saxony Image Name Reign Notes Hattonid Dynasty Banzleib 838 – 840Comes et marchio Liudolfing/Ottonian Dynasty Liudolf I 850 – 12 March 864 or 866 Comes et marchio Bruno 12 March 864 or 866 – 2 February 880 Comes et marchio Otto I the Illustrious 2 February 880 – 30 November 912first Duke of the Younger stem duchy Henry I the Fowler 30 November 912 – 2 July 936 Also German King 919–936 Otto II the Great 2 July 936 – 961 Also German King 936–973, Emperor 962–973 Billung Dynasty Hermann 961 – 27 March 973 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 Lothar 1106 – 4 December 1137 Also German King 1125–1137, Emperor 1133–1137 Ascanian Dynasty Otto the Rich 1112 Appointed by Emperor Henry V in opposition to Duke Lothar. Otto was the son in law of Duke Magnus Billung and the father of later Duke, Albert the Bear. House of Mansfeld Hoyer I, Count of Mansfeld 1115 Appointed by Emperor Henry V in opposition to Duke Lothar. Welf Dynasty Henry the Proud 4 December 1137 – 20 October 1139 son in law of Lothar; also Duke of Bavaria Ascanian Dynasty Albert the Bear 20 October 1139 – 1142 son of Otto the Rich and grandson of Magnus Billung; also Margrave of Brandenburg Welf Dynasty Henry the Lion 1142–1180 son of Henry the Proud and grandson of Lothair III; also Duke of Bavaria

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

(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 partConsortNotesBernard IIIc.11341180–12122 February 1212Saxony Brigitte of Denmarksix childrenSophia of Thuringiaone childJudith of Polandc.1173no 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 1260Saxony Agnes of Austria1222five childrenAgnes of Thuringia1238three childrenHelene of Brunswick Lüneburg1247five children Father of the following two dukesAlbert II12501260–129625 August 1298Saxony Agnes of Austria1282six children Ruled jointly; and associated his nephews to the joint rulership after his brothers death. However, these three nephews divided the land with him. Albert II retained Saxe Wittenberg, and became the head of the Elder Saxon Line; Albert III, Eric I and John II ruled together in Saxe Lauenburg, becoming the founders of the Younger Saxon Line.1296–1298Saxe WittenbergJohn I12491260–128230 July 1285Saxony Ingeborg Birgersdotter of Sweden1270eight 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. John II12751296–130322 April 1322Saxe Lauenburg Elizabeth of Holstein Rendsburg1315one childChildren of John I, co ruled first with their uncle Albert II since 1282 (since the death of their father), and in 1296 split the land with him. They retained Lauenburg, which they divided once more. Albert passed the land to his widow, and after her death, in 1315, the territory was realigned: Eric divided Bergdorf with his surviving brother and held all of his brother Albert's inheritance. However, he ended up abdicating to his son, and survived for most of his reign.1303–1322Saxe MöllnEric I12801296–13031360Saxe Lauenburg Elisabeth of Pomerania1316 or 1318four children1303–1338Saxe Bergedorf(1303 15)Saxe Ratzeburg(1315 38)Albert III12811296 13031308Saxe Lauenburg Margaret of Brandenburg Salzwedel1302two children1303–1308Saxe RatzeburgMargaret of Brandenburg Salzwedel12701308–13151 May 1315Saxe Ratzeburg Przemysł II, King of Poland1302two childrenAlbert III1302two children 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. Rudolph I(Rudolf I)12841298 1356 10 January 1356 – 12 March 135612 March 1356Saxe WittenbergElectorate of Saxony Jutta of Brandenburg1298eight childrenKunigunde of Poland28 August 1328one childAgnes of Lindow Ruppin1333three 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. 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. Regency of Elizabeth of Holstein Rendsburg (1322 1330)Albert IV13151322–13431343Saxe Mölln Beata of Schwerin1334three childSophia of Mecklenburg Werle Güstrow1341no childrenEric II1318/201338–13681368Saxe Ratzeburg Agnes of Holstein Plönbetween 1342 and 1349four childrenJohn IIIc.13301343–13561356Saxe Mölln Unmarried Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother, Albert. Albert Vc.13301356–13701370Saxe Mölln Catherine of Mecklenburg Werle Güstrow25 January 1366no children Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother, Eric. Rudolph II the Blind (Rudolf II. der Blinde)130712 March 1356 – 6 December 13706 December 1370Saxe Wittenberg and Electorate of Saxony Elisabeth of HesseBefore 8 May 1336one child Left no descendants. Wenceslaus I13376 December 1370 – 15 May 138815 May 1388 Saxe Wittenberg and Electorate of Saxony Cecilia da Carrara23 January 1376six children Brother of his predecessor. Eric IIIc.13301370–14011401Saxe Mölln Unmarried Determined 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 1419 Saxe Wittenberg and Electorate of Saxony Anna of Meissen1387/89three childrenBarbara of LegnicaMarch 1396two 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 IV13541368–140121 June 1411/12Saxe Ratzeburg Sophia of Brunswick Lüneburg8 April 1373ten children In 1401 reunited Saxe Lauenburg.1401–1411/12Saxe LauenburgEric Vafter 13731411/12–14361436Saxe Lauenburg Elisabeth of Holstein Rendsburg1404no childrenElisabeth of Weinsbergbefore 1422one 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 LauenburgUnmarriedAlbert IV1375/8011 June 1419 – (before 12 November) 1422before 12 November 1422 Saxe Wittenberg and Electorate of Saxony Euphemia of Oleśnica14 January 1420no 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 Lauenburg Adelaide of Pomerania Stolp1428two childrenJohn V18 July 14391463–150715 August 1507Saxe Lauenburg Dorothea of Brandenburg12 February 1464twelve children Sometimes numbered John IV. He is sometimes 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 Lauenburg Catherine of Brunswick Wolfenbüttel20 November 1509Wolfenbüttelsix childrenFrancis I15101543 157119 March 1581Saxe Lauenburg Sibylle of Saxony8 February 1540Dresdennine 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 Lauenburg Sophia of Sweden4 July 1568Stockholmone 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 Lauenburg Sibylle of Saxony8 February 1540Dresdennine children Regained the title in 1573, after pushing back Magnus II. Francis II10 August 15471581–16192 July 1619Saxe Lauenburg Margaret of Pomerania Wolgast26 December 1574Wolgastfour childrenMaria of Brunswick Wolfenbüttel10 November 1582Wolfenbüttelfourteen 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 Lauenburg Katharina von Spörck1581(annulled 1582)no children Ruled jointly with his brother Francis II. Augustus17 February 15771619–165618 January 1656Saxe Lauenburg Elisabeth Sofie of Holstein Gottorp5 March 1621Husumsix childrenCatherine of Oldenburg4 June 1633no children Left no male descendants; he was succeeded by his half brother Julius Henry. Julius Henry9 April 15861656–166520 November 1665Saxe Lauenburg Anna of East Frisia17 March 1617Grabowno childrenElisabeth Sophia of Brandenburg4 June 1633Toužimone sonAnna Magdalena of Lobkowicz18 August 1632Viennasix childrenFrancis Erdmann25 February 16291665–166630 July 1666Saxe Lauenburg Sibylle Hedwig of Saxe Lauenburg1654no childrenLeft no descendants; He was succeeded by his brother Julius Francis. Julius Francis16 September 16411666–168930 September 1689Saxe Lauenburg Hedwig of the Palatinate Sulzbach9 April 1668Sulzbachtwo 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.

(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 partConsortNotesBernard IIIc.11341180–12122 February 1212Saxony Brigitte of Denmarksix childrenSophia of Thuringiaone childJudith of Polandc.1173no 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 1260Saxony Agnes of Austria1222five childrenAgnes of Thuringia1238three childrenHelene of Brunswick Lüneburg1247five children Father of the following two dukesAlbert II12501260–129625 August 1298Saxony Agnes of Austria1282six children Ruled jointly; and associated his nephews to the joint rulership after his brothers death. However, these three nephews divided the land with him. Albert II retained Saxe Wittenberg, and became the head of the Elder Saxon Line; Albert III, Eric I and John II ruled together in Saxe Lauenburg, becoming the founders of the Younger Saxon Line.1296–1298Saxe WittenbergJohn I12491260–128230 July 1285Saxony Ingeborg Birgersdotter of Sweden1270eight 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. John II12751296–130322 April 1322Saxe Lauenburg Elizabeth of Holstein Rendsburg1315one childChildren of John I, co ruled first with their uncle Albert II since 1282 (since the death of their father), and in 1296 split the land with him. They retained Lauenburg, which they divided once more. Albert passed the land to his widow, and after her death, in 1315, the territory was realigned: Eric divided Bergdorf with his surviving brother and held all of his brother Albert's inheritance. However, he ended up abdicating to his son, and survived for most of his reign.1303–1322Saxe MöllnEric I12801296–13031360Saxe Lauenburg Elisabeth of Pomerania1316 or 1318four children1303–1338Saxe Bergedorf(1303 15)Saxe Ratzeburg(1315 38)Albert III12811296 13031308Saxe Lauenburg Margaret of Brandenburg Salzwedel1302two children1303–1308Saxe RatzeburgMargaret of Brandenburg Salzwedel12701308–13151 May 1315Saxe Ratzeburg Przemysł II, King of Poland1302two childrenAlbert III1302two children 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. Rudolph I(Rudolf I)12841298 1356 10 January 1356 – 12 March 135612 March 1356Saxe WittenbergElectorate of Saxony Jutta of Brandenburg1298eight childrenKunigunde of Poland28 August 1328one childAgnes of Lindow Ruppin1333three 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. 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. Regency of Elizabeth of Holstein Rendsburg (1322 1330)Albert IV13151322–13431343Saxe Mölln Beata of Schwerin1334three childSophia of Mecklenburg Werle Güstrow1341no childrenEric II1318/201338–13681368Saxe Ratzeburg Agnes of Holstein Plönbetween 1342 and 1349four childrenJohn IIIc.13301343–13561356Saxe Mölln Unmarried Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother, Albert. Albert Vc.13301356–13701370Saxe Mölln Catherine of Mecklenburg Werle Güstrow25 January 1366no children Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother, Eric. Rudolph II the Blind (Rudolf II. der Blinde)130712 March 1356 – 6 December 13706 December 1370Saxe Wittenberg and Electorate of Saxony Elisabeth of HesseBefore 8 May 1336one child Left no descendants. Wenceslaus I13376 December 1370 – 15 May 138815 May 1388 Saxe Wittenberg and Electorate of Saxony Cecilia da Carrara23 January 1376six children Brother of his predecessor. Eric IIIc.13301370–14011401Saxe Mölln Unmarried Determined 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 1419 Saxe Wittenberg and Electorate of Saxony Anna of Meissen1387/89three childrenBarbara of LegnicaMarch 1396two 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 IV13541368–140121 June 1411/12Saxe Ratzeburg Sophia of Brunswick Lüneburg8 April 1373ten children In 1401 reunited Saxe Lauenburg.1401–1411/12Saxe LauenburgEric Vafter 13731411/12–14361436Saxe Lauenburg Elisabeth of Holstein Rendsburg1404no childrenElisabeth of Weinsbergbefore 1422one 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 LauenburgUnmarriedAlbert IV1375/8011 June 1419 – (before 12 November) 1422before 12 November 1422 Saxe Wittenberg and Electorate of Saxony Euphemia of Oleśnica14 January 1420no 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 Lauenburg Adelaide of Pomerania Stolp1428two childrenJohn V18 July 14391463–150715 August 1507Saxe Lauenburg Dorothea of Brandenburg12 February 1464twelve children Sometimes numbered John IV. He is sometimes 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 Lauenburg Catherine of Brunswick Wolfenbüttel20 November 1509Wolfenbüttelsix childrenFrancis I15101543 157119 March 1581Saxe Lauenburg Sibylle of Saxony8 February 1540Dresdennine 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 Lauenburg Sophia of Sweden4 July 1568Stockholmone 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 Lauenburg Sibylle of Saxony8 February 1540Dresdennine children Regained the title in 1573, after pushing back Magnus II. Francis II10 August 15471581–16192 July 1619Saxe Lauenburg Margaret of Pomerania Wolgast26 December 1574Wolgastfour childrenMaria of Brunswick Wolfenbüttel10 November 1582Wolfenbüttelfourteen 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 Lauenburg Katharina von Spörck1581(annulled 1582)no children Ruled jointly with his brother Francis II. Augustus17 February 15771619–165618 January 1656Saxe Lauenburg Elisabeth Sofie of Holstein Gottorp5 March 1621Husumsix childrenCatherine of Oldenburg4 June 1633no children Left no male descendants; he was succeeded by his half brother Julius Henry. Julius Henry9 April 15861656–166520 November 1665Saxe Lauenburg Anna of East Frisia17 March 1617Grabowno childrenElisabeth Sophia of Brandenburg4 June 1633Toužimone sonAnna Magdalena of Lobkowicz18 August 1632Viennasix childrenFrancis Erdmann25 February 16291665–166630 July 1666Saxe Lauenburg Sibylle Hedwig of Saxe Lauenburg1654no childrenLeft no descendants; He was succeeded by his brother Julius Francis. Julius Francis16 September 16411666–168930 September 1689Saxe Lauenburg Hedwig of the Palatinate Sulzbach9 April 1668Sulzbachtwo 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.

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).

RulerBornReignDeathRuling partConsortNotesFrederick I the Warlike(Friedrich der Streitbare)11 April 13706 January 1423 – 4 January 14284 January 1428Duchy of Saxony and Electorate of Saxony Catherine of Brunswick Lüneburg7 February 1402seven 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 Saxony Margaret of Austria3 June 1431Leipzigeight 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 1486 ErnestineElectorate of Saxony Elisabeth of Bavaria Munich25 November 1460Leipzigseven children Son of Frederick II. He was the founder and progenitor of the Ernestine line of Saxon princes. Albert III the Bold27 January 14431464–150012 September 1500AlbertineDuchy of Saxony Sidonie of Poděbrady11 November 1464Chebnine 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 1525 ErnestineElectorate of Saxony Unmarried Son 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 1539AlbertineDuchy of Saxony Barbara of Poland21 November 1496Dresdenten 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 I the Steadfast(Johann der Beständige)30 June 14685 May 1525 – 16 August 153216 August 1532 ErnestineElectorate of Saxony Sophie of Mecklenburg1 March 1500Torgauone childMargaret of Anhalt Köthen13 November 1513Torgaufour children Co regent of his brother 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 1547 3 March 1554ErnestineElectorate of Saxony Sibylle of Cleves9 February 1527Torgaufour children Lost his Electoral dignity and territory to his cousin Maurice after being defeated by 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 – 1554 ErnestineDuchy of SaxonyJohn Ernest I10 May 152116 August 1532 – 8 February 15538 February 1553 ErnestineSaxe CoburgCatherine of Brunswick Grubenhagen12 February 1542Torgauno 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. Henry IV the Pious16 March 14731539–154118 August 1541AlbertineDuchy of Saxony Catherine of Mecklenburg69 January 1541Marburgnine children Succeeded his brother George I. He established Lutheranism in Albertine Saxony. Maurice I(Moritz) 21 March 15211541–1547 9 July 1553AlbertineDuchy of Saxony Agnes of Hesse9 January 1541Marburgtwo 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 1553 AlbertineElectorate of SaxonyFollowing 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 1586 AlbertineElectorate of SaxonyAnna of Denmark7 October 1548Torgaufifteen childrenAgnes Hedwig of Anhalt3 January 1586Dessauno children Brother of Maurice. Recognized as Elector by the ousted John Frederick I in 1554. From 1573 he was also regent for Frederick William, in the Ernestine duchy of Saxe Weimar. John Frederick II8 January 15291554–156519 May 1595 ErnestineSaxe Coburg EisenachAgnes of Hesse26 May 1555Weimarno childrenElisabeth of the Palatinate Simmern Sponheim12 June 1558Weimarfour 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.1565–1566 ErnestineSaxe Coburg Eisenach and Saxe GothaJohn Frederick III the Younger16 January 15381554–156521 October 1565 ErnestineSaxe GothaUnmarried Received Saxe Gotha. However he left its administration to his elder brothers. After his death, his domains were annexed by his elder brother. John William I11 March 15301554–15662 March 1573 ErnestineSaxe WeimarDorothea Susanne of the Palatinate Simmern15 June 1560Heidelbergfive 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. 1566–1572 ErnestineDuchy of Saxony1572–1573Ernestine Saxe WeimarJohn Casimir12 June 15641572–159616 July 1633 ErnestineSaxe Coburg EisenachAnna of Saxony16 January 1586Dresdenno childrenMargaret of Brunswick Lüneburg16 September 1599Coburgno 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.1596–1633 ErnestineSaxe CoburgJohn Ernest I9 July 15661572–159623 October 1638 ErnestineSaxe Coburg EisenachElisabeth of Mansfeld Hinterort23 November 1591Wiener Neustadtone childChristine of Hesse Kassel14 May 1598Rotenburg an der Fuldano children1596–1633 ErnestineSaxe Eisenach1633–1638 ErnestineSaxe Coburg EisenachSaxe Coburg Eisenach divided between its neighbours Saxe Altenburg and Saxe Weimar Regency of Augustus I, Elector of Saxony (1573 1586)After his death, his brother took the land and in the next year divided it with his nephews (sons of Frederick William). Frederick William I25 April 15621573–16027 July 1602 ErnestineSaxe WeimarSophie of Württemberg5 May 1583Weimarsix childrenAnna Maria of the Palatinate Neuburg9 September 1591Neuburg an der Donausix childrenChristian I(Christian I)29 October 156011 February 1586 – 25 September 159125 September 1591 AlbertineElectorate of SaxonySophie of Brandenburg25 April 1582Dresdenseven children Regency of Sophie of Brandenburg (1591 1601)Christian II(Christian II)23 September 158325 September 1591 – 23 June 161123 June 1611 AlbertineElectorate of SaxonyHedwig of Denmark12 September 1602Dresdenno childrenJohn II22 May 15701602–160518 July 1605 ErnestineSaxe WeimarDorothea Maria of Anhalt7 January 1593Altenburgtwelve childrenDivided Saxe Weimar with his nephews in 1603, retaining a smaller Saxe Weimar (sometimes called Saxe Weimar Jena). John Philip25 January 15971603–1639 1 April 1639 ErnestineSaxe AltenburgElisabeth of Brunswick Wolfenbüttel25 October 1618Altenburgone childReceived and ruled jointly the newly created Saxe Altenburg, after the partition of 1603. None of them had male descendants. Frederick12 February 15991603–162524 October 1625 ErnestineSaxe AltenburgUnmarriedJohn William13 April 16001603–16322 December 1632 ErnestineSaxe AltenburgUnmarriedJohn Ernest I21 February 15941605–16266 December 1626 ErnestineSaxe WeimarUnmarriedSons 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. On the other hand, Ernest inherited Saxe Gotha and reunited it with his wife's (as heiress of Saxe Altenburg). William I the Great11 April 15981626–164417 May 1662 ErnestineSaxe WeimarEleonore Dorothea of Anhalt Dessau 23 May 1625Weimarnine children1644–1662 ErnestineSaxe Weimar and Saxe EisenachAlbert IV27 July 15991605–164020 December 1644 ErnestineSaxe WeimarDorothea of Saxe Altenburg24 June 1633Weimarno children1640–1644 ErnestineSaxe ( Weimar) EisenachErnest I the Pious25 December 16011605–164026 March 1675 ErnestineSaxe WeimarElisabeth Sophie of Saxe Altenburg24 October 1636Altenburgeighteen children1640–1672 ErnestineSaxe ( Weimar) Gotha1672–1675 ErnestineSaxe Gotha AltenburgJohn George I(Johann Georg I)5 March 158523 June 1611 – 8 October 16568 October 1656 AlbertineElectorate of SaxonySibylle Elisabeth of Württemberg16 September 1604Dresdenone childMagdalene Sibylle of Prussia19 July 1607Torgauten 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 1669 ErnestineSaxe AltenburgSophie Elisabeth of Brandenburg18 September 1638Altenburgno childrenMagdalene Sibylle of Saxony11 October 1652Dresdenthree 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 1680 AlbertineElectorate of SaxonyMagdalene Sibylle of Brandenburg Bayreuth13 November 1638Dresdenthree childrenElector, he also served as regent in Saxe Altenburg for Frederick William III. The minor duke never reached adulthood. Augustus I13 August 16141656–16804 June 1680 AlbertineSaxe WeissenfelsAnna Maria of Mecklenburg Schwerin23 November 1647 Schwerintwelve childrenJohanna Walpurgis of Leiningen Westerburg29 January 1672Hallethree childrenSon of Elector John George I. Inherited Saxe Weissenfels. After his death, Weissenfels was divided. Christian I27 October 16151656–169118 October 1691 AlbertineSaxe MerseburgChristiana of Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg Glücksburg19 November 1650Dresdeneleven childrenSon of Elector John George I. Inherited Saxe Merseburg. Maurice I28 March 16191662–16814 December 1681 AlbertineSaxe ZeitzSophie Hedwig of Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg Glücksburg19 November 1650Dresdentwo childrenDorothea Maria of Saxe Weimar3 July 1656Weimarten childrenSophie Elisabeth of Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg Wiesenburg14 June 1676Wiesenburgno childrenSon of Elector John George I. Inherited Saxe Zeitz. Bernard II 14 October 16381662–16783 May 1678 ErnestineSaxe JenaMarie Charlotte de la Trémoille10 June 1662Parisfive childrenSon of William I. Received Saxe Jena. John Ernest II11 September 16271662–168315 May 1683 ErnestineSaxe WeimarChristine Elisabeth of Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg14 August 1656Weimarfive childrenSon of William I. Received the remaining Saxe Weimar. He also served as regent for his nephew, John William of Saxe Jena. Adolf William15 May 16321662–166821 November 1668 ErnestineSaxe EisenachMarie Elisabeth of Brunswick Wolfenbüttel18 January 1663Wolfenbüttelfive childrenSon of William I. Received Saxe Eisenach. Regency of John George I, Duke of Saxe Marksuhl (1668 1671)Died as a minor. His uncle, as regent, inherited his domain. William August30 November 16681668–167123 February 1671ErnestineSaxe EisenachUnmarriedJohn George I11 April 15981662–167117 May 1662 ErnestineSaxe MarksuhlJohannetta of Sayn Wittgenstein 29 May 1661Wallaunine childrenSon of William I. Received Saxe Marksuhl. He also served as regent for his nephew William August in Saxe Eisenach, but after his nephew's death in 1671, he inherited it himself, merging Marksuhl in Eisenach. From 1683 he also became regent for another nephew, John William III, in Saxe Jena.1671–1686 ErnestineSaxe EisenachSaxe Marksuhl merged in Saxe Eisenach Regency of John George II, Elector of Saxony (1669 1672)Son of Frederick William II. Died as a minor. His lands were divided between Saxe Gotha and Saxe Weimar. Frederick William III12 July 16571669–167214 April 1672 ErnestineSaxe AltenburgUnmarriedSaxe Altenburg merged in Saxe Gotha to form Saxe Gotha AltenburgFrederick I15 July 16461675–16912 August 1691 ErnestineSaxe Gotha AltenburgMagdalena Sibylle of Saxe Weissenfels14 November 1669Halleeight childrenChristine of Baden Durlach14 August 1681Ansbachno childrenSon of Ernest I. Received Saxe Gotha Altenburg. Albert V24 May 16481675–16996 August 1699 ErnestineSaxe CoburgMarie Elisabeth of Brunswick Wolfenbüttel18 July 1676Gothaone childSusanne Elisabeth Kempinsky24 May 1688Coburg(morganatic)no childrenSon of Ernest I. Received Saxe Coburg. Left no male descendants. His lands were annexed by Saafeld. Saxe Coburg merged in Saxe Saalfeld to form Saxe Coburg SaalfeldBernard I10 September 16491675–170627 April 1706 ErnestineSaxe MeiningenMarie Hedwig of Hesse Darmstadt20 November 1671Gothaseven childrenElisabeth Eleonore of Brunswick Wolfenbüttel25 January 1681Schöningenfive childrenSon of Ernest I. Received Saxe Meiningen. He also served as regent, together with his brother Henry, for their nephew, Frederick II, in Saxe Gotha Altenburg. Henry19 November 16501675–171013 May 1710 ErnestineSaxe RömhildMarie Elisabeth of Hesse Darmstadt1 March 1676Darmstadtno childrenSon of Ernest I. Received Saxe Römhild. Left no descendants and his lands were annexed to Saxe Coburg Saalfeld. He also served as regent, together with his brother Henry, for their nephew, Frederick II. Saxe Römhild was annexed by Saxe Coburg SaalfeldChristian6 January 16531675–170728 April 1707 ErnestineSaxe EisenbergChristiane of Saxe Merseburg13 February 1677Merseburgone childSophie Marie of Hesse Darmstadt9 February 1681Darmstadtno childrenSon of Ernest I. Received Saxe Eisenberg. Left no male descendants and his lands were annexed to Saxe Hildburghausen. Saxe Eisenberg was annexed by Saxe HildburghausenErnest I12 June 16551675–171517 October 1715 ErnestineSaxe HildburghausenSophie of Waldeck30 November 1680Arolseneighteen childrenSon of Ernest I of Saxe Gotha. Received Saxe Hildburghausen. John Ernest22 August 16581675–169917 February 1729 ErnestineSaxe SaalfeldSophie Hedwig of Saxe Merseburg18 February 1680Merseburgfive childrenCharlotte Johanna of Waldeck Wildungen2 December 1690Maastrichteight childrenSon of Ernest I. Received Saxe Saafeld. In 1699 reunified it with Saxe Coburg, forming Saxe Coburg Saalfeld.1699–1729 ErnestineSaxe Coburg Saalfeld Regencies of John Ernest II, Duke of Saxe Weimar (1678 83), John George I, Duke of Saxe Eisenach (1683 86) and William Ernest, Duke of Saxe Weimar (1686 90)Son of Bernard II. Died as a minor. John William28 March 16751678–16904 November 1690 ErnestineSaxe JenaUnmarriedSaxe Coburg Eisenach divided between its neighbours Saxe Eisenach and Saxe WeimarJohn George III(Johann Georg III)20 June 164722 August 1680 – 12 September 169112 September 1691 AlbertineElectorate of SaxonyAnna Sophie of Denmark9 October 1666Copenhagentwo childrenJohn Adolph I2 November 16491680–169724 May 1697 AlbertineSaxe Weissenfels QuerfurtJohanna Magdalena of Saxe Altenburg25 October 1671 Altenburgeleven childrenChristiane Wilhelmine of Bünau3 February 1692 Querfurt(morganatic)eleven childrenInherited the remaining Saxe Weissenfels. Henry29 September 16571680–172816 February 1728 AlbertineSaxe Weissenfels BarbyElisabeth Albertine of Anhalt Dessau30 March 1686 Dessauseven childrenInherited Saxe Weissenfels Barby. Maurice William12 March 16641681–171815 November 1718 AlbertineSaxe ZeitzMarie Amalie of Brandenburg 25 June 1689Potsdamfive childrenLeft no descendants. After his death Saxe Zeitz merged in the Electorate. Saxe Zeitz merged in the Electorate of SaxonyWilliam Ernest I19 October 16621683–172826 August 1728 ErnestineSaxe WeimarCharlotte Marie of Saxe Jena2 November 1683Eisenachno children Ruled jointly. John Ernest was just a nominal ruler; William Ernest had full government. William Ernest also served as regent for his cousin, John William, in Saxe Jena. John Ernest III22 June 16641683–170710 May 1707 ErnestineSaxe WeimarSophie Auguste of Anhalt Zerbst11 October 1685Zerbstfive childrenCharlotte of Hesse Homburg4 November 1694Kasselfour childrenPhilip26 October 16571684–16901 July 1690 AlbertineSaxe Merseburg LauchstädtEleonore Sophie of Saxe Weimar9 July 1684Weimartwo childrenLouise Elisabeth of Württemberg Oels17 August 1688Bernstadtone 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 II24 July 16651686–169810 November 1698ErnestineSaxe EisenachSophie Charlotte of Württemberg20 September 1688Kirchheim unter Teckno childrenLeft no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother. John George IV(Johann Georg IV)18 October 166812 September 1691 – 27 April 169427 April 1694 AlbertineElectorate of SaxonyEleonore Erdmuthe of Saxe Eisenach17 April 1692Leipzigno childrenChristian II19 November 16531691–169420 October 1694 AlbertineSaxe MerseburgErdmuthe Dorothea of Saxe Zeitz14 October 1679Moritzburgseven childrenAugustus15 February 16551691–171527 March 1715 AlbertineSaxe Merseburg ZörbigHedwig of Mecklenburg Güstrow1 December 1686Güstroweight 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 Regencies of Bernhard I, Duke of Saxe Meiningen and Henry, Duke of Saxe Römhild (1691 1693)Frederick II28 July 16761691–173223 March 1732 ErnestineSaxe Gotha AltenburgMagdalena Augusta of Anhalt Zerbst7 June 1696Gothanineteen childrenFrederick Augustus I the Strong(Friedrich August I)12 May 167027 April 1694 – 1 February 17331 February 1733 AlbertineElectorate of SaxonyChristiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg Bayreuth20 January 1693Bayreuthone 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. He also served as regent on behalf of Dukes Christian Maurice, and Maurice Wilhelm in Saxe Merseburg. Regencies of Erdmuthe Dorothea of Saxe Zeitz and Frederick Augustus I, Elector of Saxony (1694 1712) Both brothers left no descendants. Maurice William was succeeded by his uncle, Henry. Christian III Maurice7 November 1680169414 November 1694 AlbertineSaxe MerseburgUnmarriedMaurice William5 February 16881694–173121 April 1731 AlbertineSaxe MerseburgHenriette Charlotte of Nassau Idstein4 November 1711Isteinone childHenry2 September 16611694–173128 July 1738 AlbertineSaxe Merseburg SprembergElisabeth of Mecklenburg Güstrow29 March 1692Güstrowthree 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. Left no descendants and Saxe Merseburg merged in the Electorate of Saxony.1731–1738 AlbertineSaxe MerseburgSaxe Merseburg Spremberg merged in Saxe Merseburg Saxe Merseburg merged in the Electorate of SaxonyJohn George13 July 16771697–171216 March 1712 AlbertineSaxe Weissenfels QuerfurtFredericka Elisabeth of Saxe Eisenach7 January 1698 Jenaseven childrenLeft no male descendants. He was succeeded by his brother Christian. John William III17 October 16661698–172914 January 1729ErnestineSaxe EisenachAmalie of Nassau Dietz28 November 1690Oranjewoudtwo childrenChristine Juliane of Baden Durlach27 February 1697Wolfenbüttelseven childrenMagdalene Sibylle of Saxe Weissenfels 28 July 1708Weissenfelsthree childrenMarie Christine Felizitas of Leiningen Dagsburg Falkenburg Heidesheim29 May 1727Hanauno childrenFrederick Henry21 July 16681699–171318 December 1713 AlbertineSaxe Zeitz Pegau NeustadtSophie Angelika of Württemberg Oels23 April 1699Oleśnicano childrenAnna Fredericka Philippine of Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg Wiesenburg27 February 1702Moritzburgtwo 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 ZeitzErnest Louis I7 October 16721706–172424 November 1724 ErnestineSaxe MeiningenDorothea Marie of Saxe Gotha Altenburg19 September 1704Gothafive childrenElisabeth Sophie of Brandenburg3 June 1714Coburgno childrenFrederick20 November 16731711–171516 April 1715 AlbertineSaxe Weissenfels DahmeEmilie Agnes Reuss of Schleiz13 February 1711Dahmeno childrenSon 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 QuerfurtChristian23 February 16821712–173628 June 1736 AlbertineSaxe Weissenfels QuerfurtLouise Christine of Stolberg Stolberg Ortenberg 12 May 1712Stolbergno childrenLeft no male descendants. He was succeeded by his brother John Adolf. Ernest Frederick I21 August 16811715–17249 March 1724 ErnestineSaxe HildburghausenSophia Albertine of Erbach Erbach4 February 1704Erbach im Odenwaldfourteen childrenErnest Louis II8 August 17091724–172924 February 1729 ErnestineSaxe MeiningenUnmarried Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother. Regency of Sophia Albertine of Erbach Erbach (1724 1728)Ernest Frederick II17 December 17071724–174513 August 1745 ErnestineSaxe HildburghausenCaroline of Erbach Fürstenau19 June 1726Fürstenaufour childrenGeorge Albert19 April 16951728–173912 June 1739 AlbertineSaxe Weissenfels BarbyAuguste Louise of Württemberg Oels18 February 1721Forstno childrenLeft no descendants, and his land merged in Saxe Weissenfels. Saxe Weissenfels Barby merged in Saxe Weissenfels William Henry10 November 16911729–174126 July 1741ErnestineSaxe EisenachAlbertine Juliane of Nassau Idstein15 February 1713Idsteinno childrenAnna Sophie Charlotte of Brandenburg Schwedt3 June 1723Berlinno children Left no descendants: Saxe Eisenach merged with Saxe Weimar. Saxe Eisenach merged in Saxe Weimar to form Saxe Weimar EisenachErnest Augustus I19 April 16881728–174119 January 1748 ErnestineSaxe WeimarEleonore Wilhelmine of Anhalt Köthen2 November 1683Nienburgeight childrenSophie Charlotte of Brandenburg Bayreuth7 April 1734Bayreuthfour children Son of John Ernest III. Reunited under his rule the duchies of Saxe Weimar and Eisenach.1741–1748 ErnestineSaxe Weimar EisenachChristian Ernest18 August 16831729–17454 September 1745 ErnestineSaxe Coburg SaalfeldChristiane Fredericka of Koss18 August 1724Naitschau(morganatic)no childrenLeft no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother. Charles Frederick I18 July 17121729–174328 March 1743 ErnestineSaxe MeiningenUnmarried Brother of Ernest Louis II. Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his uncle. Frederick III14 April 16991732–177210 March 1772 ErnestineSaxe Gotha AltenburgLuise Dorothea of Saxe Meiningen17 September 1729Gothaeight children He also served as regent for Duke Ernest Augustus II of Saxe Weimar Eisenach. Frederick Augustus II the Fat(Friedrich August II)17 October 16961 February 1733 – 5 October 17635 October 1763 AlbertineElectorate of SaxonyMaria Josepha of Austria20 August 1719Dresdensixteen children Son of Frederick Augustus I. Converted to Catholicism 1712. King of Poland 1734–1763. John Adolph II4 September 16851736–174616 May 1746 AlbertineSaxe Weissenfels QuerfurtJohannette Antoinette Juliane of Saxe Eisenach9 May 1721Eisenachone childFredericka of Saxe Gotha Altenburg27 November 1734Altenburgfive childrenLeft 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 1746 ErnestineSaxe MeiningenUnmarried Brother of Ernest Louis I. Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his half brother. Regency of Caroline of Erbach Fürstenau (1745 1748)Ernest Frederick III10 June 17271745–178023 September 1780 ErnestineSaxe HildburghausenLouise of Denmark 1 October 1749Copenhagenone childChristiane Sophie Charlotte of Brandenburg Bayreuth20 January 1757Copenhagenone childErnestine of Saxe Weimar 1 July 1758Bayreuththree childrenFrancis Josias25 September 16971745–176416 September 1764 ErnestineSaxe Coburg SaalfeldAnna Sophie of Schwarzburg Rudolstadt2 January 1723Rudolstadteight childrenBrother of Christian Ernest. He also served as regent for Duke Ernest Augustus II of Saxe Weimar Eisenach. Anthony Ulrich22 October 16871746–176327 January 1763 ErnestineSaxe MeiningenPhilippine Elisabeth CaesarJanuary 1711morganaticten childrenCharlotte Amalie of Hesse Philippsthal26 September 1750Bad Homburg vor der Höheeight children Regency of Francis Josias, Duke of Saxe Coburg Saalfeld (1748 1755)Ernest Augustus II2 June 17371748–175828 May 1758 ErnestineSaxe Weimar EisenachAnna Amalia of Brunswick Wolfenbüttel16 March 1756Brunswicktwo children Regency of Anna Amalia of Brunswick Wolfenbüttel (1758 1775)In 1815 his rank of Duke was elevated to Grand Duke; from 1815 Saxe Weimar Eisenach becomes a Grand Duchy. Charles Augustus3 September 17571758–182814 June 1828 ErnestineSaxe Weimar EisenachLouise of Hesse Darmstadt3 October 1775Karlsruheseven childrenFrederick Christian(Friedrich Christian)5 September 17225 October 1763 – 17 December 176317 December 1763 AlbertineElectorate of SaxonyMaria Antonia of Bavaria13 June 1747Munich(by proxy)20 June 1747Dresden(in person)nine children Son of Frederick Augustus II, raised Catholic. Regency of Charlotte Amalie of Hesse Philippsthal (1763 1779)Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother. Charles William19 November 17541763–178221 January 1782 ErnestineSaxe MeiningenLouise of Stolberg Gedern5 June 1780Gedernno children Regency of Maria Antonia of Bavaria (1763 1768)Son of Frederick Christian. His Electorate ceased with the fall of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, and he became King of Saxony. Frederick Augustus III the Just(Friedrich August III)23 December 175017 December 1763 – 20 December 18065 May 1827 AlbertineElectorate of SaxonyAmalie of Zweibrücken Birkenfeld17 January 1769Mannheim(by proxy)29 January 1769Dresden(in person)four childrenIn 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 Frederick8 March 17241764–18008 September 1800 ErnestineSaxe Coburg SaalfeldSophie Antoinette of Brunswick Wolfenbüttel23 April 1749Wolfenbüttelseven childrenErnest II30 January 17451772–180420 April 1804 ErnestineSaxe Gotha AltenburgCharlotte of Saxe Meiningen21 March 1769Meiningenfour childrenGeorge I4 February 17611782–180324 December 1803 ErnestineSaxe MeiningenLouise Eleonore of Hohenlohe Langenburg27 November 1782Langenburgfour childrenFrancis15 July 17501800–18069 December 1806 ErnestineSaxe Coburg SaalfeldSophie of Saxe Hildburghausen 6 March 1776Hildburghausenno childrenAugusta Reuss of Ebersdorf13 June 1777Ebersdorften children Regency of Louise Eleonore of Hohenlohe Langenburg (1803 1821)Bernard II17 December 18001803–18663 December 1882 ErnestineSaxe MeiningenMarie Frederica of Hesse Kassel 23 March 1825Kasseltwo childrenAugustus23 November 17721804–182217 May 1822 ErnestineSaxe Gotha AltenburgLouise Charlotte of Mecklenburg Schwerin21 October 1797Ludwigslustone childKaroline Amalie of Hesse Kassel24 April 1802Kasselno childrenLeft no male descendants. The land was inherited by his brother FrederickErnest I2 January 17841806–184429 January 1844 ErnestineSaxe Coburg Saalfeld (1800 1826)ErnestineSaxe Coburg and Gotha (1826 1844)Louise of Saxe Gotha Altenburg3 July 1817Gothatwo childrenMarie of Württemberg23 December 1832Coburgno children Inherited Gotha from Frederick IX, but had to cede Saafeld to Saxe Meiningen. The duchy changed its name to Saxe Coburg and GothaFrederick IV28 November 17741822–182511 February 1825 ErnestineSaxe Gotha AltenburgUnmarriedBrother 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 Regency of Prince Joseph of Saxe Hildburghausen (1780 1787)Inherited Altenburg from Frederick IV, merging it with Hildburghausen. However, Frederick changed the name of the united duchy Saxe Altenburg. Frederick29 April 17631780–183429 September 1834ErnestineSaxe Hildburghausen(1787 1826)ErnestineSaxe Altenburg(1826–1834)Charlotte Georgine of Mecklenburg Strelitz 3 September 1785Hildburghausentwelve childrenCharles Frederick2 February 17831828–18538 July 1853 ErnestineSaxe Weimar EisenachMaria Pavlovna of Russia3 August 1804St. Petersburgfour children Joseph27 August 17891834–184825 November 1868 ErnestineSaxe AltenburgAmelia of Württemberg24 April 1817Kirchheim unter Tecksix 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 II21 June 18181844–189322 August 1893 ErnestineSaxe Coburg and GothaAlexandrine of Baden 3 May 1842Karlsruheno children Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his nephews. George24 July 17961848–18533 August 1853 ErnestineSaxe AltenburgMarie Louise of Mecklenburg Schwerin7 October 1825Ludwigslustthree children Brother of Joseph. Charles Alexander24 June 18181853–19015 January 1901 ErnestineSaxe Weimar EisenachSophie of the Netherlands8 October 1842The Haguefour childrenErnest I16 February 18261853–19087 February 1908 ErnestineSaxe AltenburgAgnes of Anhalt Dessau28 April 1853Ludwigslusttwo children Left no male descendants. He was succeeded by his nephew. George II2 April 18261866–191425 June 1914 ErnestineSaxe MeiningenCharlotte of Prussia18 May 1850Berlinfour childrenFeodora of Hohenlohe Langenburg23 October 1858Langenburgthree childrenEllen Franz18 March 1873Liebenstein(morganatic)no childrenAlfred6 August 18441893–190030 July 1900 ErnestineSaxe Coburg and GothaMaria Alexandrovna of Russia23 January 1874St Petersburgsix children Son of Prince Albert of Saxe Coburg and Gotha and Queen Victoria. Nephew of Ernest II. Regency of Prince Ernst of Hohenlohe Langenburg (1900 1905)Son of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany; Nephew of Alfred. Monarchy abolished in 1918. Charles Edward19 July 18841900–19186 March 1954 ErnestineSaxe Coburg and GothaVictoria Adelaide of Schleswig Holstein11 October 1905Schleswigfive childrenWilliam Ernest10 June 18761901–191824 April 1923 ErnestineSaxe Weimar EisenachCaroline Reuss of Greiz30 April 1903Bückeburgno childrenFeodora of Saxe Meiningen14 January 1910Meiningenfour children Grandson of Charles Alexander, as son of Charles Augustus, Hereditary Grand Duke of Saxe Weimar Eisenach. Monarchy abolished in 1918. Ernest II31 August 18711908–191822 March 1955 ErnestineSaxe AltenburgAdelaide of Schaumburg Lippe17 February 1898Bückeburg(annulled 1920)four childrenMaria Triebel15 July 1934Trockenborn Wolfersdorf(morganatic)no children Grandson of George III, as son of Prince Moritz of Saxe Altenburg. Monarchy abolished in 1918. Bernard III1 April 18511914–191816 January 1928ErnestineSaxe MeiningenCharlotte of Prussia18 February 1878Berlintwo children Monarchy abolished in 1918.

The Holy Roman Empire came to an end in 1806. The Elector of Saxony, allied to Napoleon, anticipated its dissolution by becoming the ruler of an independent Kingdom of Saxony in 1806. RulerBornReignDeathRuling partConsortNotesFrederick Augustus I the Just(Friedrich August I der Gerechte)23 December 175020 December 1806 – 5 May 18275 May 1827 Kingdom of SaxonyAmalie of Zweibrücken Birkenfeld17 January 1769Mannheim(by proxy)29 January 1769Dresden(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 1836 Kingdom of SaxonyMaria Carolina of Savoy29 September 1781Stupinigi(by proxy)24 October 1781Dresden(in person)no childrenMaria Theresa of Austria8 September 1787Florence(by proxy)18 October 1787Dresden(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 1854 Kingdom of SaxonyMaria Carolina of Austria26 September 1819Vienna(by proxy)7 October 1819Dresden(by person)no childrenMaria Anna of Bavaria24 April 1833Dresdenno 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 1873 Kingdom of SaxonyAmalie Auguste of Bavaria10 November 1822Munich(by proxy)21 November 1822Dresden(in person)nine children Became a subordinate ruler in the German Empire after the Unification of Germany in 1871. Albert the Good(Albrecht der Gute)23 April 182829 October 1873 – 19 June 190219 June 1902 Kingdom of SaxonyCarola of Sweden18 June 1853Dresdenno childrenGeorge(Georg)8 August 183219 June 1902 – 15 October 190415 October 1904 Kingdom of SaxonyMaria Anna of Portugal11 May 1859Lisboneight children Frederick Augustus III(Friedrich August III)25 May 186515 October 1904 – 13 November 191818 February 1932 Kingdom of SaxonyLouise of Austria21 November 1891Vienna(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 1918–1919.

For heads of government of Saxony since 1918, see List of ministers president of Saxony. For heads of state, see List of presidents of Germany.