John Frederick I of Saxony
John Frederick the Magnanimous, Elector of Saxony from 1532 and leader of the Schmalkaldic League. Defeated and captured by Charles V at Mühlberg (1547), he lost the electoral dignity to his cousin Maurice.
This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.
Key details
Birth: 30 June 1503 Documented
Death: 3 March 1554 Documented
Role: Elector
Dynasty: Wettin · ES
Territories: Saxony (ES) · Thuringia (ES)
Recorded relationships
Their titles over time
Follow the changing territories and offices of John Frederick I of Saxony. Each title retains its own status.
Governments in 1532
- SaxonyElector
View titles and jurisdictions
- Saxony · ESElector · Effective rule1532–1547
- ThuringiaLandgrave
View titles and jurisdictions
- Thuringia · ESLandgrave · Effective rule1532–1554
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 · Johann Friedrich I., Sachsen, Kurfürst
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.
Evidence for this profile
7 recorded claims · 1 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.
Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
- BirthDocumented
30 June 1503
The authority record gives the birth as 1503-06-30. - DeathDocumented
3 March 1554
The authority record gives the death as 1554-03-03.
Family and relationships (2/3 with a precise source)
- FatherDocumented
John of Saxony
The authority record identifies John of Saxony (GND 100503225) as father. - MotherPending review
Sophia of Mecklenburg
A precise source has not yet been added. - Marriage or partnershipDocumented
Sibylla of Cleves
The authority record identifies Sibylla of Cleves (GND 119093049) as spouse.
Governments (2/2 with a precise source)
- GovernmentDocumented
Elector · Saxony · 1532–1547
The authority record dates this office to 1532–1547. - GovernmentDocumented
Landgrave · Thuringia · 1532–1554
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.