John of Saxony
John the Steadfast, Elector of Saxony between 1525 and 1532. He organised a Lutheran territorial church, presented the Augsburg Confession (1530) and was one of the founders of the Schmalkaldic League.
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 1468 Documented
Death: 16 August 1532 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 of Saxony. Each title retains its own status.
Governments in 1525
- SaxonyElector
View titles and jurisdictions
- Saxony · ESElector · Effective rule1525–1532
- ThuringiaLandgrave
View titles and jurisdictions
- Thuringia · ESLandgrave · Effective rule1525–1532
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, Sachsen, Kurfürst
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.
Evidence for this profile
7 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
30 June 1468
The authority record gives the birth as 1468-06-30. - DeathDocumented
16 August 1532
The authority record gives the death as 1532-08-16.
Family and relationships (3/3 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. - Marriage or partnershipDocumented
Sophia of Mecklenburg
The authority record identifies Sophia of Mecklenburg (GND 11924120X) as spouse.
Governments (2/2 with a precise source)
- GovernmentDocumented
Elector · Saxony · 1525–1532
The authority record dates this office to 1525–1532. - GovernmentDocumented
Landgrave · Thuringia · 1525–1532
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.