John Frederick, Elector of Saxony
| Johann Frederick I | |
|---|---|
Portrait by Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1531.
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| Elector of Saxony | |
| Reign | 16 August 1532 – 24 April 1547 |
| Predecessor | Johann |
| Successor | Maurice |
| Duke of Saxony | |
| Reign | 24 April 1547 – 3 March 1554 |
| Predecessor | Maurice |
| Successor | John Frederick II |
| Landgrave of Thuringia | |
| Reign | 16 August 1532 – 24 April 1547 |
| Predecessor | Johann |
| Successor | John Ernest |
| Born |
30 June 1503 Torgau, Electorate of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire |
| Died | 3 March 1554 (aged 50) Weimar, Electorate of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire |
| Burial | St. Peter und Paul, Weimar |
| Spouse | Sybille of Cleves |
| Issue |
John Frederick II, Duke of Saxony Johann Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Weimar John Frederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha |
| House | Wettin (Ernestine Line) |
| Father | Johann, Elector of Saxony |
| Mother | Sophie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin |
| Religion | Lutheranism |
Johann Frederick I (German: Johann Friedrich I; 30 June 1503, in Torgau – 3 March 1554, in Weimar), called Johann the Magnanimous, or St. Johann the Steadfast (by Lutherans), was Elector of Saxony and Head of the Protestant Confederation of Germany (the Schmalkaldic League), "Champion of the Reformation".
John Frederick was the eldest son of Elector Johann by his first wife, Sophie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. His mother died fourteen days after his birth, on 12 July 1503.
He received his education from George Spalatin, whom he highly esteemed during his whole life. Spalatin was Martin Luther's friend and advisor and thus, through Spalatin's schooling, John developed a devotion to the teachings of Martin Luther. His knowledge of history was comprehensive, and his library, which extended over all sciences, was one of the largest in Germany.
He cultivated a personal relationship with Martin Luther, beginning to correspond with him in the days when the bull of excommunication was hurled against the Reformer, and showing himself a convinced adherent of Luther. With vivid interest he observed the development of the reformatory movement. He eagerly read Luther's writings, urged the printing of the first complete (Wittenberg) edition of his works, and in the latter years of his life promoted the compilation of the Jena edition. At the Elector castle at Torgau, he constructed a chapel specifically designed to be a Lutheran place of worship and invited Martin Luther to deliver the inaugural sermon. The influence of Lutheranism at John Frederick's court is visible also in the translation by Veit Warbeck of the French romance the Magelone, made in preparation of John Frederick's marriage in 1527; Catholic elements are suppressed.
His father introduced him into the political and diplomatic affairs of the time, and he conducted the first negotiations of a treaty with Hesse in Kreuzburg and Friedewald. He took an active part in the disturbances caused by the Pack affair (see John the Steadfast), and Luther was grateful to him for his exertions, in spite of his youth, for the maintenance of peace.
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