Friedrich III, Elector of Saxony
| Frederick III | |
|---|---|
| Elector of Saxony Landgrave of Thuringia |
|
Frederick in a portrait by Lucas Cranach the Elder
|
|
| Elector of Saxony | |
| Reign | 26 August 1486 – 5 May 1525 |
| Predecessor | Ernest |
| Successor | John |
| Born |
17 January 1463 Torgau |
| Died | 5 May 1525 (aged 62) Langau |
| Burial | Schlosskirche, Wittenberg |
| House | House of Wettin |
| Father | Ernest, Elector of Saxony |
| Mother | Elisabeth of Bavaria |
| Religion | officially Roman Catholic until his death, simultaneously having Lutheran leanings |
Frederick III (17 January 1463 – 5 May 1525), also known as Frederick the Wise (German "Friedrich der Weise"), was Elector of Saxony (from the House of Wettin) from 1486 to 1525. Frederick was the son of Ernest, Elector of Saxony and his wife Elisabeth, daughter of Albert III, Duke of Bavaria. He is notable as being one of the most powerful early defenders of Martin Luther,Lutheranism and the Protestant Reformation although he had little personal contact with Luther himself. Frederick's treasurer Degenhart Pfaffinger (Pfaffinger being a German dynasty) spoke on behalf of him to Luther. Pfaffinger had supported Frederick since their pilgrimage to the holy land together. Frederick is considered to have remained a Roman Catholic all his life, yet gradually inclining toward doctrines of the Reformation.
Frederick III is commemorated as a Christian ruler in the Calendar of Saints of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod on 5 May. His court painter from 1504 was Lucas Cranach the Elder.
Born in Torgau, he succeeded his father as elector in 1486; in 1502, he founded the University of Wittenberg, where Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon taught.
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