Friedrich Wilhelm I | |
---|---|
Duke of Saxe-Weimar | |
Reign | 1573–1602 |
Predecessor | Johann Wilhelm |
Successor | Johann II |
Regent | Elector Augustus |
Born |
Weimar |
25 April 1562
Died | 7 July 1602 Weimar |
(aged 40)
Spouse |
Sophie of Württemberg Anna Maria of the Palatinate-Neuburg |
Issue among others... |
Dorothea Sophia, Princess-Abbess of Quedlinburg Johann Philipp, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg Friedrich, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg Johann Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg Dorothea, Duchess of Saxe-Eisenach Friedrich Wilhelm II, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg |
House | House of Wettin |
Father | Johann Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Weimar |
Mother | Dorothea Susanne of Simmern |
Religion | Lutheranism |
Friedrich Wilhelm I (25 April 1562 in Weimar – 7 July 1602 in Weimar) was a duke of Saxe-Weimar. He was the eldest son of Johann Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Weimar and Dorothea Susanne of Simmern.
At the time of the death of his father (1573) Friedrich Wilhelm was still under age; for this, a tutelary government for the duchy was appointed. This was stressed by the Dowager Duchess Dorothea Susanne, because she cannot not prevent, however, the Elector Augustus of Saxony -from the Albertine line- was designated as the regent in her place.
In 1586 Friedrich Wilhelm was declared an adult and began his independent government over in Saxe-Weimar. Five years later, in 1591, the Elector Christian I of Saxony died and was succeeded by his eldest son Christian II. Because the new Elector was still under age, the regency of the Electorate was assigned to Friedrich Wilhelm. With the title of Administrator des Sächsischen Kurstaates (Administrator of the Saxon Electorate) took residence in Torgau, and neglected the government of his duchy. These were led by his younger brother John, which had to be taken part -in accordance with the Ernestine House Law- anyway in the government.
In 1601 ended the regency in the Electorate of Saxony with the majority of Elector Christian II, and Friedrich Wilhelm returned to Weimar. Since he however already died one year later, he not left large traces in the history of the duchy.
In Weimar on 5 May 1583 Friedrich Wilhelm married firstly with Sophie, daughter of Christoph, Duke of Württemberg. They had six children:
In Neuburg an der Donau on 9 September 1591 Friedrich Wilhelm married secondly with Anna Maria, daughter of Philipp Ludwig, Count Palatine of Neuburg. They had six children: