Frederick III of Saxony
Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony from 1486. He founded the University of Wittenberg (1502) and protected Martin Luther, arranging his concealment at Wartburg Castle after the Diet of Worms (1521).
This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.
Key details
Birth: 17 January 1463 Documented
Death: 5 May 1525 Documented
Role: Elector
Dynasty: Wettin · ES
Territories: Saxony (ES) · Thuringia (ES)
Recorded relationships
Their titles over time
Follow the changing territories and offices of Frederick III of Saxony. Each title retains its own status.
Governments in 1486
- SaxonyElector
View titles and jurisdictions
- Saxony · ESElector · Effective rule1486–1525
- ThuringiaLandgrave
View titles and jurisdictions
- Thuringia · ESLandgrave · Effective rule1486–1525
Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.
Sources for this profile
- Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND authority record · Friedrich III., Sachsen, Kurfürst
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.
Evidence for this profile
6 recorded claims · 0 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.
Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
- BirthDocumented
17 January 1463
The authority record gives the birth as 1463-01-17. - DeathDocumented
5 May 1525
The authority record gives the death as 1525-05-05.
Family and relationships (2/2 with a precise source)
- FatherDocumented
Ernest of Saxony
The authority record identifies Ernest of Saxony (GND 119140659) as father. - MotherDocumented
Elizabeth of Bavaria
The authority record identifies Elizabeth of Bavaria (GND 111256098X) as mother.
Governments (2/2 with a precise source)
- GovernmentDocumented
Elector · Saxony · 1486–1525
The authority record dates this office to 1486–1525. - GovernmentDocumented
Landgrave · Thuringia · 1486–1525
Documented tenure; the regional extent is checked separately.
Biographical and contextual references (2)
Editorial history
- 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
- 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
