John George I, Elector of Saxony (5 March 1585 - 8 October 1656) was Prince-Elector of Saxony from 1611 to 1656. March 5 is the 64th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (65th in leap years). ... 1585 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. ... October 8 is the 281st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (282nd in leap years). ... // Events Mehmed Köprülü becomes Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire. ... List of Dukes, Electors, and Kings of Saxony, 880-1918 The original Duchy of Saxony was in Northern Germany, roughly corresponding to the modern German state of Lower Saxony and Westphalia. ...

Monument to John George in Johanngeorgstadt.

Biography

He was the second son of the elector Christian I and his wife and Sofie of Brandenburg.

He succeeded to the electorate in June 1611 on the death of his elder brother, Christian II. The geographical position of electoral Saxony hardly less than her high standing among the German Protestants gave her ruler much importance during the Thirty Years' War. At the beginning of his reign, however, the new elector took up a somewhat detached position. His personal allegiance to Lutheranism was sound, but he liked neither the growing strength of Brandenburg nor the increasing prestige of the Palatinate; the adherence of the other branches of the Saxon ruling house to Protestantism seemed to him to suggest that the head of electoral Saxony should throw his weight into the other scale, and he was prepared to favor the advances of the Habsburgs and the Roman Catholic party. Events June 23 - Henry Hudsons crew maroons him, his son and 7 others in a boat November 1 - At Whitehall Palace in London, William Shakespeares romantic comedy The Tempest is presented for the first time. ... Combatants Anti-Imperialists (Protestants): Sweden Bohemia Denmark Dutch Republic France Scotland England and smaller German states Imperialists (Catholics): Catholic League Holy Roman Empire Spain Austria Bavaria, and smaller German states Commanders Frederick V Gustav II Adolf † Cardinal Richelieu Christian IV of Denmark Johann Georg I of Saxony Johann Tzerclaes, count... Lutheranism is a movement within Christianity that began with the theological insights of Martin Luther in the 16th century> Luthers writings launched the Protestant Reformation of the Western church. ...   (Lower Sorbian: Bramborska; Upper Sorbian: Braniborska) is one of Germanys sixteen Bundesländer (federal states). ... A palatinate is a territory administered by a count palatine, originally the direct representative of the sovereign, but later the hereditary ruler of the territory subject to the crowns overlordship. ... Flag of the Habsburg Monarchy; also used as the flag of the Austrian Empire until the Ausgleich of 1867. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ...

Thus he was easily induced to vote for the election of Ferdinand, archduke of Styria, as emperor in August 1619, an action which nullified the anticipated opposition of the Protestant electors. The new emperor secured the help of John George for the impending campaign in Bohemia by promising that he should be undisturbed in his possession of certain ecclesiastical lands. Carrying out his share of the bargain by occupying Silesia and Lusatia, where he displayed much clemency, the Saxon elector had thus some part in driving Frederick V, elector palatine of the Rhine, from Bohemia and in crushing Protestantism in that country, the crown of which he himself had previously refused. Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor (July 9, 1578 – February 15, 1637), of the house of Habsburg, ruled 1620-1637. ... Events May 13 - Dutch statesman Johan van Oldenbarnevelt is executed in The Hague after having been accused of treason. ... Flag of Bohemia Bohemia (Czech: ; German: ) is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western and middle thirds of the Czech Republic. ... Prussian Silesia, 1871, outlined in yellow; Silesia at the close of the Seven Years War in 1763, outlined in cyan (areas now in the Czech Republic were Austrian-ruled at that time) Silesia (Czech: ; German: ; Polish: ; Silesian: Ślonsk / Ślónsk) is a historical region in central Europe. ... Lusatia (German Lausitz, Upper Sorbian Łužica, Lower Sorbian Łužyca, Polish Łużyce, Czech Lužice) is a historical region between the Bóbr and Kwisa rivers and the Elbe river in the eastern German states of Saxony and Brandenburg, south-western Poland (Lower Silesian Voivodeship) and the northern... Frederick is also called the Winter King of Bohemia because he reigned for less than three winter months in 1620 after he was installed by a rebellious Protestant faction. ...

Gradually, however, he was made uneasy by the obvious trend of the imperial policy towards the annihilation of Protestantism, and by a dread lest the ecclesiastical lands should be taken from him; and the issue of the edict of restitution in March 1629 put the coping-stone to his fears. Still, although clamouring vainly for the exemption of the electorate from the area covered by the edict, John George took no decided measures to break his alliance with the emperor. He did, indeed, in February 1631 call a meeting of Protestant princes at Leipzig, but in spite of the appeals of the preacher Matthias Hoe von Hohenegg (1580-1645) he contented himself with a formal protest. Events March 4 - Massachusetts Bay Colony is granted a Royal charter. ... // Events February 5 - Roger Williams emigrates to Boston. ... [] (Sorbian/Lusatian: Lipsk) is the largest city in the Federal State (Bundesland) of Saxony in Germany. ...

Meanwhile Gustavus Adolphus had landed in Germany, and the elector had refused to allow him to cross the Elbe at Wittenberg, thus hindering his attempt to relieve Magdeburg. But John George's reluctance to join the Protestants disappeared when the imperial troops under Tilly began to ravage Saxony, and in September 1631 he concluded an alliance with the Swedish king. The Saxon troops were present at the battle of Breitenfeld, but were routed by the imperialists, the elector himself seeking safety in flight. Gustav II Adolph Gustav II Adolph (December 9, 1594 - November 6, 1632) (also known as Gustav Adolph the Great, under the Latin name Gustavus Adolphus or the Swedish form Gustav II Adolf) was a King of Sweden. ... The River Elbe (Czech Labe , Sorbian/Lusatian Łobjo, German Elbe) is one of the major waterways of Central Europe. ... Statue of Martin Luther in the main square Wittenberg, officially [Die] Lutherstadt Wittenberg, is a town in Germany, in the Bundesland Saxony-Anhalt, at 12° 59 E, 51° 51 N, on the Elbe river. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Count Tilly on a portrait by van Dyck Johan Tzerclaes, Count of Tilly (February, 1559 – April 30, 1632) was a general in Bavarian and later imperial service during the Thirty Years War, upon whom Ferdinand II depended (since Wallenstein was a threat). ... // Events February 5 - Roger Williams emigrates to Boston. ... Combatants Saxony Saxony Holy Roman Empire Catholic Leauge Commanders Gustavus Adolphus John George I Johan Tzerclaes, Count of Tilly Strength 23,000 swedes, 17,000 saxons 33,000 Casualties 3500 Swedes and 2000 Saxons dead 7600 dead, 6000 captured and many recruited into the swedish army {{{notes}}} The Battle of...

Nevertheless he soon took the offensive. Marching into Bohemia the Saxons occupied Prague, but John George soon began to negotiate for peace and consequently his soldiers offered little resistance to Wallenstein, who drove them back into Saxony. However, for the present the efforts of Gustavus Adolphus prevented the elector from deserting him, but the position was changed by the death of the king at Lützen in 1632, and the refusal of Saxony to join the Protestant league under Swedish leadership. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Categories: 1583 births | 1634 deaths | Assassinated people ... The Battle of Lützen was one of the most decisive battles of the Thirty Years War. ...

Still letting his troops fight in a desultory fashion against the imperialists, John George again negotiated for peace, and in May 1635 he concluded the important treaty of Prague with Ferdinand II. His reward was Lusatia and certain other additions of territory; the retention by his son Augustus of the archbishopric of Magdeburg; and some concessions with regard to the edict of restitution. Almost at once he declared war upon the Swedes, but in October 1636 he was beaten at Wittstock; and Saxony, ravaged impartially by both sides, was soon in a deplorable condition. At length in September 1645 the elector was compelled to agree to a truce with the Swedes, who, however, retained Leipzig; and as far as Saxony was concerned this ended the Thirty Years' War. After the peace of Westphalia, which with regard to Saxony did little more than confirm the treaty of Prague, John George died (1656). Events February 10 - The Académie française in Paris is expanded to become a national academy for the artistic elite. ... Two peace settlements are known as the Peace of Prague: Peace of Prague (1635) - a peace settlement on 30 May 1635 between the Holy Roman Empire and most of the Empires Lutheran provinces during the Thirty Years War. ... The Archbishopric of Magdeburg was a state of the Holy Roman Empire lying around Magdeburg along the Elbe River. ... The Ratification of the Treaty of Münster by Gerard Terborch (1648) Banquet of the Amsterdam Civic Guard in Celebration of the Peace of Münster by Bartholomeus van der Helst, 1648 The Peace of Westphalia, also known as the Treaties of Münster and Osnabrück, refers to the...

Although not without political acumen, he was not a great ruler; his character appears to have been harsh and unlovely, and he was addicted to drink.

Family and children

John George was married two times. Firstly, he was married on 16 September 1604 with Duchess Sibylle Elisabeth of Württemberg. This marriage was childless. Secondly, he was married on 19 July 1607 with Princess Magdalene Sibylle of Prussia and had 9 children: September 16 is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years). ... Events January 14 – Hampton Court conference with James I of England, the Anglican bishops and representatives of Puritans September 20 – Capture of Ostend by Spanish forces under Ambrosio Spinola after a three year siege. ... July 19 is the 200th day (201st in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 165 days remaining. ... Events January 20 - Tidal wave swept along the Bristol Channel, killing 2000 people. ...

1. Sofie Eleonore (23 November 1609 – 2 June 1671), married in 1627 to Landgrave Georg II of Hesse-Darmstadt
2. Marie Elisabeth (22 November 1610 – 24 October 1684), married on 21 February 1630 to Duke Friedrich III of Holstein-Gottorp
3. Christian Albert, born and died in 1612
4. Elector John George II, Elector of Saxony (31 May 1613 – 22 August 1680)
5. Duke August of Saxe-Weissenfels (13 August 1614 – 4 August 1680)
6. Duke Christian I of Saxe-Merseburg (27 October 1615 – 18 October 1691)
7. Magdalene Sibylle (23 December 1617 – 6 January 1668), married:
   1. on 5 October 1634 Crown Prince Christian of Denmark, son of King Christian IV of Denmark;
   2. on 11 October 1652 Duke Friedrich Wilhelm II of Saxe-Altenburg
8. Duke Maurice of Saxe-Zeitz (28 March 1619 – 4 December 1681)
9. Heinrich, born and died in 1622

He was twice married, and in addition to his successor John George II he left three sons, Augustus (1614-1680), Christian (d. 1691) and Maurice (d. 1681) who were all endowed with lands in Saxony, and who founded cadet branches of the Saxon house. November 23 is the 327th day of the year (328th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 38 days remaining. ... // Events April 4 – King of Spain signs an edit of expulsion of all moriscos from Spain April 9 – Spain recognizes Dutch independence May 23 - Official ratification of the Second Charter of Virginia. ... June 2 is the 153rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (154th in leap years), with 212 days remaining. ... Events May 9 - Thomas Blood, disguised as a clergyman, attempts to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. ... Events A Dutch ship makes the first recorded sighting of the coast of South Australia. ... November 22 is the 326th day (327th on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events January 7 - Galileo Galilei discovers the Galilean moons of Jupiter. ... October 24 is the 297th day of the year (298th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 68 days remaining. ... Events France under Louis XIV makes Truce of Ratisbon separately with the Empire and Spain. ... February 21 is the 52nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Events February 22 - Native American Quadequine introduces Popcorn to English colonists. ... Events January 20 - Mathias becomes Holy Roman Emperor. ... John George II (31 May 1613 - 22 August 1680) was elector of Saxony, succeeding his father John George I in October 1656. ... May 31 is the 151st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (152nd in leap years), with 214 days remaining. ... Events January - Galileo observes Neptune, but mistakes it for a star and so is not credited with its discovery. ... August 22 is the 234th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (235th in leap years), with 131 days remaining. ... Events First Portuguese governor was appointed to Macau The Swedish city Karlskrona was founded as the Royal Swedish Navy relocated there. ... August 13 is the 225th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (226th in leap years), with 140 days remaining. ... Events April 5 - In Virginia, Native American Pocahontas marries English colonist John Rolfe. ... August 4 is the 216th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (217th in leap years), with 149 days remaining. ... Events First Portuguese governor was appointed to Macau The Swedish city Karlskrona was founded as the Royal Swedish Navy relocated there. ... October 27 is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 65 days remaining. ... Events June 2 - First Récollet missionaries arrive at Quebec City, from Rouen, France. ... October 18 is the 291st day of the year (292nd in leap years). ... Events March 5 - French troops under Marshal Louis-Francois de Boufflers besiege the Spanish-held town of Mons March 20 - Leislers Rebellion - New governor arrives in New York - Jacob Leisler surrenders after standoff of several hours March 29 - Siege of Mons ends to the city’s surrender May 6... December 23 is the 357th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (358th in leap years). ... Events Change of emperor of the Ottoman Empire from Ahmed I (1603-1617) to Mustafa I (1617-1623). ... January 6 is the 6th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events January - The Triple Alliance of 1668 is formed. ... October 5 is the 278th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (279th in Leap years). ... Events Moses Amyrauts Traite de la predestination is published Curaçao captured by the Dutch Treaty of Polianovska First meeting of the Académie française The witchcraft affair at Loudun Jean Nicolet lands at Green Bay, Wisconsin Opening of Covent Garden Market in London English establish a settlement... SIMON ER EN BØSSE!!! The coronation of King Christian IV, painted by Otto Bache, 1887 Christian IV (April 12, 1577–February 28, 1648), king of Denmark and Norway, the son of Frederick II, king of Denmark and Norway, and Sofie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, was born at Frederiksborg castle in... October 11 is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events April 6 - Dutch sailor Jan van Riebeeck establishes a resupply camp for the Dutch East India Company at the Cape of Good Hope, and founded Cape Town. ... March 28 is the 87th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (88th in leap years). ... Events May 13 - Dutch statesman Johan van Oldenbarnevelt is executed in The Hague after having been accused of treason. ... December 4 is the 338th day (339th on leap years) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Events March 4 - Charles II of England grants a land charter to William Penn for the area that will later become Pennsylvania. ... Events January 1 - In the Gregorian calendar, January 1 is declared as the first day of the year, instead of March 25. ... John George II (31 May 1613 - 22 August 1680) was elector of Saxony, succeeding his father John George I. In 1657, just after his accession, he made an arrangement with his three brothers with the object of preventing disputes over their separate territories, and in 1664 he entered into friendly...

List of Dukes, Electors, and Kings of Saxony, 880-1918 The original Duchy of Saxony was in Northern Germany, roughly corresponding to the modern German state of Lower Saxony and Westphalia. ... John George II (31 May 1613 - 22 August 1680) was elector of Saxony, succeeding his father John George I in October 1656. ...

References

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.