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 possessions with his younger brothers. He retainded Weimar, his brother Johann Georg I received Eisenach, and his other brother, Bernhard, received Jena. Eventually, the partitioned lands, Saxe-Weimar, Saxe-Eisenach (1741) and Saxe-Jena (1690) were re-combined.
Like his father, Johann Ernst was particularly interested in the arts (see Fruitbearing Society). He was also an avid hunter. Given his overriding interest in these pursuits, Johann Ernst entrusted the reigns of government to his chancellor.
In Weimar on 14 August 1656 Johann Ernst married Christine Elisabeth of Holstein-Sonderburg. They had five children:
- Anna Dorothea (b. Weimar, 12 November 1657 - d. Quedlinburg, 23 June 1704), Abbess of Quedlinburg (1685-1704).
- Wilhelmine Christine (b. Weimar, 26 January 1658 - d. Sondershausen, 30 June 1712), married on 25 September 1684 to Christian Wilhelm of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen.
- Eleonore Sophie (b. Weimar, 22 March 1660 - d. Lauchstädt, 4 February 1687), married on 9 July 1684 to Philipp of Saxe-Merseburg-Lauchstädt.
- Wilhelm Ernst, Duke of Saxe-Weimar (b. Weimar, 19 October 1662 - d. Weimar, 26 August 1728).
- 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 |
