Friedrich Wilhelm I, Duke of Saxe-Weimar


Friedrich Wilhelm I was a duke of Saxe-Weimar. He was the eldest son of Johann Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Weimar and Dorothea Susanne of Simmern.

Life

At the time of the death of his father, Friedrich Wilhelm was still under age; for this, a tutelary government for the duchy was appointed. The Dowager Duchess, Dorothea Susanne, could however not prevent the Elector Augustus of Saxony – from the Albertine line – from being designated as the regent in her place.
In 1586, Friedrich Wilhelm was declared an adult and began his independent government over in Saxe-Weimar. Five years later, in 1591, the Elector Christian I of Saxony died and was succeeded by his eldest son Christian II. Because the new Elector was still under age, the regency of the Electorate was assigned to Sophie of Brandenburg, widow of Christian I and mother of the heir. While she became regent, Friedrich Wilhelm was asked to assist and given the title of Administrator des Sächsischen Kurstaates. He took residence in Torgau, and neglected the government of his duchy.
In 1601, Sophie's regency in the Electorate of Saxony ended with the majority of Elector Christian II, and Friedrich Wilhelm returned to Weimar. Since he died one year later, he did not leave large traces in the history of the duchy.

Marriage and children

In Weimar on 5 May 1583 Friedrich Wilhelm married firstly with Sophie, daughter of Christoph, Duke of Württemberg. They had six children:
  1. Dorothea Marie died in early childhood.
  2. Johann Wilhelm, Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Weimar died in early childhood.
  3. Friedrich died in early childhood.
  4. Dorothea Sophia, Princess-Abbess of Quedlinburg
  5. Anna Marie died unmarried and without issue.
  6. stillborn son.
In Neuburg an der Donau on 9 September 1591 Friedrich Wilhelm married secondly with Anna Maria, daughter of Philipp Ludwig, Count Palatine of Neuburg. They had six children:
  1. Johann Philipp, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg
  2. Anna Sophie, married on 4 December 1618 to Duke Karl Friedrich of Münsterberg-Öls.
  3. Friedrich, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg
  4. Johann Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg
  5. Dorothea, married on 24 June 1633 to Albrecht, Duke of Saxe-Eisenach.
  6. Friedrich Wilhelm II, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg