Ernest, Elector of Saxony

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Ernest, Elector Of Saxony (24 March 1441 – 26 August 1486) was Elector of Saxony from 1464 to 1486.

[edit] Biography

Born at Alternburg, Ernest was founder of the Ernestine line of Saxon princes, ancestor of George I of Great Britain and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, husband to Victoria of the United Kingdom.

He was kidnapped along with his brother Albert in 1455, an episode famous in German history as the "Prinzenraub" (i. e. the stealing of the prince).

In 1464, he succeeded his father Frederick II, and annexed Thuringia in 1482, and three years later shared his territory with his brother Albert, until he arranged 1485 the division of the common possession.

In the Division of Leipzig he received area around Wittenberg, the south Thuringian part, the Vogtland and parts of the Pleissnerland. As residence he selected Wittenberg. He provided for the welfare of the country and introduced the constitution. One year after the division elector Ernest died in Colditz, at the age of 46 years, at the consequences of a fall of the horse.

Preceded by Frederick II

Elector of Saxony 1464 – 1486

Succeeded by Frederick III

[edit] See also

• Rulers of Saxony
• Wettin (dynasty)

[edit] References

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