John Frederick III, Duke of Saxony

Duke John Frederick III of Saxony
John Frederick III (on the right) with his elder brothers John Frederick II and John William
Noble family	House of Wettin
Father	John Frederick I, Elector of Saxony
Mother	Sibylle of Cleves
Born	16 January 1538 Torgau
Died	21 October 1565 (aged 27) Jena
Buried	City Church in Weimar

John Frederick III, also known as John Frederick the Younger (16 January 1538 in Torgau – 21 October 1565 in Jena) was German nobleman. He was a titular Duke of Saxony from the Ernestine branch of the House of Wettin. He received Saxe-Gotha as an apanage, but left its administration to his eldest brother.

Life

John Frederick was the fourth and youngest son of Elector of Saxony John Frederick the Magnanimous (1503-1554) from his marriage with Sibylle (1512-1554), the daughter of Duke John III, Duke of Cleves.

Due to neglect during his childhood, he was always sickly and weak. He had been interested in theology from a young age, and studied theology at the University of Jena.

After his father's death in 1554, he received Saxe-Gotha as an apanage. Because he was a minor, he and his possessions were under the guardianship and regency of his eldest brother John Frederick II until 1557. From 1557, he was allowed to rule Saxe-Gotha alone. However, he concluded a contract with his eldest brother, who would administer the apanage for four years. In 1561, this contract was extended for another four years.

John Frederick III died unmarried and childless in 1565, at the age of 27. He was buried in the City Church in Weimar. Due to his personality, he rarely acted alone, and was usually represented by his brothers.

References

• Ernst Wülcker (1881), "Johann Friedrich der Jüngere", Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (ADB) (in German) 14, Leipzig: Duncker & Humblot, p. 343