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Saxony-Wittenberg

Duchy of Saxe-Wittenberg
Herzogtum Sachsen-Wittenberg
State of the Holy Roman Empire
1296–1356


Coat of arms

Duchy of Saxony-Wittenberg (dark green)
Capital Wittenberg
Government Principality
Dukes
 •  1296–1298 Albert II of Ascania[a]
 •  1298–1356 Rudolf I of Ascania
Historical era Middle Ages
 •  Definite partition from Saxony 1296
 •  Electorate 1356
 •  To Wettin margraves of Meissen 1423
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Coat of arms of Lower Saxony.svg Duchy of Saxony
Electorate of Saxony Blason Jean-Georges IV de Saxe.svg
a: Albert II was co-ruler of undivided Saxony, with John I, from 1260


Coat of arms

The Duchy of Saxe-Wittenberg (German: Herzogtum Sachsen-Wittenberg) was a medieval duchy of the Holy Roman Empire centered at Wittenberg, which emerged after the dissolution of the stem duchy of Saxony. The Ascanian dukes prevailed in obtaining the Saxon electoral dignity until their duchy was finally elevated to the Electorate of Saxony by the Golden Bull of 1356.

The Eastphalian count Otto of Ballenstedt (d. 1123), ancestor of the House of Ascania, had married Eilika, a daughter of Duke Magnus of Saxony from the House of Billung. As the Billung male line became extinct upon Magnus's death in 1106, Otto hoped to succeed him, however King Henry V of Germany enfeoffed Count Lothair of Supplinburg. During the following long-term dispute between Henry and Lothair, Otto was able to gain the title of a Saxon (anti-)duke, though only for a short time in 1122.


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