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Frederick III of Saxony: Biography, Facts and Career

Who is Frederick III of Saxony? An evergreen, sourced profile: biography, key facts and career.

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Frederick III of Saxony
Workshop of Lucas Cranach the Elder via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Frederick III (17 January 1463 – 5 May 1525), also known as Frederick the Wise (German: Friedrich der Weise), was Prince-elector of Saxony from 1486 to 1525, who is mostly remembered for the protection given to his subject Martin Luther, the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation. Frederick was the son of Ernest, Elector of Saxony and his wife Elisabeth, daughter of Albert III, Duke of Bavaria. He was one of the most powerful early defenders of Martin Luther, as the elector successfully protected him from the Holy Roman Emperor, the Pope and others. He was ostensibly led, not by religious conviction about the possible truth of Luther's propositions, but rather by personal belief in a fair trial for any of his subjects (a privilege guaranteed by the imperial statutory law) and the rule of law. The prince-elector is considered to have remained a Roman Catholic all his life, yet gradually inclining toward doctrines of the Reformation and supposedly converting on his deathbed.

Quick facts about Frederick III of Saxony

  • Full name: Frederick III of Saxony
  • Born: 1463-01-26
  • Nationality: Germany
  • Known as: Royal
  • Wikidata ID: Q77233

Profile compiled from public Wikipedia and Wikidata data. Details can change over time.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Frederick III of Saxony?

Frederick III (17 January 1463 – 5 May 1525), also known as Frederick the Wise (German: Friedrich der Weise), was Prince-elector of Saxony from 1486 to 1525, who is mostly remembered for the protection given to his subject Martin Luther, the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation.

What nationality is Frederick III of Saxony?

Frederick III of Saxony is Germany.

When was Frederick III of Saxony born?

Frederick III of Saxony was born on 1463-01-26.

Sources

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