Saxe-Coburg

Saxe-Coburg (German: Sachsen-Coburg) was a duchy held by the Ernestine branch of the Wettin dynasty in today's Bavaria, Germany.

After the Division of Erfurt in 1572, Coburg was part of the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach, ruled by the Ernestine duke John Casimir jointly with his brother John Ernest. In 1596 Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach was split, John Casimir got Saxe-Coburg while John Ernest received Saxe-Eisenach. When Casimir died in 1633, his brother Ernst of Saxe-Eisenach ruled in personal union over Saxe-Coburg until his death in 1638. His estates were then divided among Saxe-Weimar and Saxe-Altenburg, whereby Coburg fell to Frederick William II, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg.

Saxe-Altenburg in turn was incorporated into the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha under Ernest I in 1672. Ernest left seven sons, who in 1680 divided his lands among themselves. The Duchy of Saxe-Coburg was thereby restored and given to Albert V. It remained under this name until 1699, when Albert died without sons. His brother John Ernest of Saxe-Saalfeld claimed the heritage, initiating a long-time quarrel with his elder brother Bernhard I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. The conflict was not resolved until 1735, when the major part of Saxe-Coburg was incorporated into the Duchy of Saxe-Saalfeld on decision of Emperor Charles VI. The united duchy was then renamed Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld.

Dukes of Saxe-Coburg

• John Casimir (1596–1633)

Duchy fell to Saxe-Eisenach, restored in 1680

• Albert V (1680–99)
  • John Ernest IV, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (1699–1729), claimant
  • Christian Ernest II, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (1729–35), claimant

Incorporated into Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld

See also

• Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
• Ernestine duchies

References

• Saxe-Coburg and Gotha royal family