Maurice, Duke of Saxony
| Maurice | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Elector of Saxony | |
| Reign | 24 April 1547 – 9 July 1553 |
| Predecessor | John Frederick I |
| Successor | Augustus |
| Duke of Saxony | |
| Reign | 18 August 1541 – 24 April 1547 |
| Predecessor | Henry IV |
| Successor | John Frederick I |
| Margrave of Meissen | |
| Reign | 18 August 1541 – 9 July 1553 |
| Predecessor | Henry IV |
| Successor | Merged into the Electorate |
| Born |
21 March 1521 Freiberg |
| Died | 9 July 1553 (aged 32) Sievershausen |
| Burial | Freiberg Cathedral |
| Spouse | Agnes of Hesse |
| Issue |
Anna, Princess of Saxony and Orange-Nassau Prince/Duke Albrecht of Saxony |
| House |
House of Wettin Albertine Branch |
| Father | Henry IV, Duke of Saxony |
| Mother | Catherine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin |
| Religion | Lutheranism |
Maurice (21 March 1521 – 9 July 1553) was Duke (1541–47) and later Elector (1547–53) of Saxony. His clever manipulation of alliances and disputes gained the Albertine branch of the Wettin dynasty extensive lands and the electoral dignity.
Maurice was the fourth child but first son of the future Henry IV, Duke of Saxony, then a Catholic, and his Protestant wife Catherine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Henry was the younger brother of George, Duke of Saxony.
In December 1532, Maurice, aged 11, came to live at the castle of his godfather Cardinal Albert of Brandenburg, Archbishop of Magdeburg and Archbishop of Mainz. For two years, he lived the contemplative life of a cardinal until his uncle Duke George demanded his return to Saxony. George began the training of the future Duke and educated him as a Catholic. But in 1536 Maurice's father became a Protestant, and when he succeeded George in 1539, the entire Duchy followed him. Henry and Catherine took the education of their son into their hands. That same year, Maurice, now 18 years old, went to live in Torgau with his older cousin John Frederick I, Elector of Saxony, whom he despised; this led to a strong hatred between them. With another cousin, however, Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse, whom he met in Dresden, Maurice struck up a lifelong friendship.
After Maurice came of age, in 1539, his parents began to look for a wife for him. The favorite was Philip's eldest daughter, Agnes. The marriage plans threatened to fail, however, because of the illegal double marriage of the Landgrave. Without the knowledge of his parents, Maurice remained committed to his engagement with Agnes. The wedding, particularly disapproved of by his mother, took place in Marburg on 9 January 1541. Letters from that time illustrate the strong mutual devotion of the couple. Together they had two children:
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