Johann Ernst II, Duke of Saxe-Weimar

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Johann Ernst II, Duke of Saxe-Weimar (b. Weimar, 11 September 1627 - d. Weimar, 15 May 1683), was a duke of Saxe-Weimar.

He was the second but eldest surviving son of Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Weimar and Eleonore Dorothea of Anhalt-Dessau.

After the death of his father on 1662, he became reigning duke. In 1672 Johann Ernst divided his possession with his younger brothers. He retainded Weimar, his brother Johann Georg I receives Eisenach, and his other brother, Bernhard, receives Jena. Nevertheless, all this lands were merged by Saxe-Weimar, Saxe-Eisenach on 1741 and Saxe-Jena on 1690.

Like his father, Johann Ernst was particularly interested in thecultural area meaning (see Fruitbearing Society). In addition to this, he had an extremely passion of hunt; for this, he left the government of his country in the hands of his chancellor.

In Weimar on 14 August 1656 Johann Ernst married with Christine Elisabeth of Holstein-Sonderburg. They had five children:

1. Anna Dorothea (b. Weimar, 12 November 1657 - d. Quedlinburg, 23 June 1704), Abbess of Quedlinburg (1685-1704).
2. Wilhelmine Christine (b. Weimar, 26 January 1658 - d. Sondershausen, 30 June 1712), married on 25 September 1684 to Christian Wilhelm of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen.
3. Eleonore Sophie (b. Weimar, 22 March 1660 - d. Lauchstädt, 4 February 1687), married in 9 July 1684 to Philipp of Saxe-Merseburg-Lauchstädt.
4. Wilhelm Ernst, Duke of Saxe-Weimar (b. Weimar, 19 October 1662 - d. Weimar, 26 August 1728).
5. Johann Ernst III, Duke of Saxe-Weimar (b. Weimar, 22 June 1664 - d. Weimar, 10 May 1707).

Preceded by Wilhelm

Duke of Saxe-Weimar 1683–1728

Succeeded by Wilhelm Ernst