- Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Weimar
Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Weimar (b.
Altenburg ,11 April 1598 - d.Weimar ,17 May 1662 ), was a duke of Saxe-Weimar.Wilhelm was the fifth and third-surviving son of
Johann, Duke of Saxe-Weimar andDorothea Maria of Anhalt .Youth
Like his brothers Johann Ernst and Friedrich, Wilhelm studied at the
University of Jena . Later, he accompanied his brothers in their study abroad. Their educational tour began at the end of August 1613, and the brothers visitedFrance ,Great Britain andthe Netherlands before returning home in 1614.Some years later, on
24 August 1617 , during his mother's funeral, Wilhelm helped found theFruitbearing Society . In 1651 he became the second head of the Society.Reign
In 1620 Wilhelm became regent of all the estates of his older brother, after the latter was subject to the ban of the Empire for refusing to submit to the emperor. When Johann Ernst died in 1626, Wilhelm assumed the title of Duke of Saxe-Weimar.
One year later, Wilhelm was created member of the Order of the Stability. During the years 1622-1623, he created a patriotic federation, the "
German Friedbund ", for the promotion of the German states and religious liberties. Wilhelm's maternal uncle,Louis I of Anhalt-Köthen , provided theFriedbund with a generous endowment.Rise to power
Wilhelm allied himself with his brothers in the
Bohemian War , serving underPeter Ernst II of Mansfeld and Georg Friedrich, Margrave of Baden-Durlach. Later he was promoted under the service ofChristian of Halberstadt .During the division of the paternal states, in 1640, Wilhelm retained Weimar and Jena, and his younger brother Albrecht received Eisenach. When Albrecht died childless in 1644, Wilhelm assumed control of the entire inheritance.
King
Gustav II Adolf of Sweden was responsible for Wilhelm's quick rise through the ranks of the military. After Gustav II Adolf's death however, CountAxel Oxenstierna successfully prevented Wilhelm from assuming another command as lieutenant general, and Wilhelm acceded to the Peace of Prague in 1635.When Prince
Louis I of Anhalt-Köthen died on7 January 1650 , the members of theFruitbearing Society decided that Wilhelm should become his uncle's successor as head of the society. After the obligatory mourning year, on8 May 1651 Wilhelm became the new head of the society-- a position that he retained to the end of his life. In contrast to his predecessor, however, he was essentially limited to representative tasks.Marriage and children
In
Weimar on23 May 1625 , Wilhelm marriedEleonore Dorothea of Anhalt-Dessau . They had nine children:
# Wilhelm (b. Weimar,26 March 1626 - d. Weimar,1 November 1626 ).
#Johann Ernst II, Duke of Saxe-Weimar (b. Weimar,11 September 1627 - d. Weimar,15 May 1683 ).
# Johann Wilhelm (b. Weimar,16 August 1630 - d. Weimar,16 May 1639 ). [http://www.royaltyguide.nl/images-families/wettin/saxeweimareisenach1/1630%20Johann%20Wilhelm.jpg]
#Adolf Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Eisenach (b. Weimar,14 May 1632 - d. Eisenach,22 November 1668 ).
# Johann Georg I, Duke of Saxe-Marksuhl, later of Saxe-Eisenach (b. Weimar,12 July 1634 - d. on hunt accident, Eckhartshausen,19 September 1686 ).
# Wilhelmine Eleonore (b. Weimar,7 June 1636 - d. Weimar,1 April 1653 ).
#Bernhard II, Duke of Saxe-Jena (b. Weimar,14 October 1638 - d. Jena,3 May 1678 ).
# Frederick (b. Weimar,19 March 1640 - d. Weimar,19 August 1656 ).
# Dorothea Marie (b. Weimar,14 October 1641 - d. Moritzburg,11 June 1675 ), married on3 July 1656 toMaurice, Duke of Saxe-Zeitz .-
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