John Frederick III, Duke of Saxony
John Frederick III, known as John Frederick the Younger (16 January 1538 – 21 October 1565), was a German nobleman from the Ernestine branch of the House of Wettin. He held the title of Duke of Saxony in name and ruled Saxe-Gotha as an apanage, though he rarely governed on his own.
He was born in Torgau as the fourth and youngest son of Elector Johann Frederick I and Sibylle of Cleves. He studied theology at the University of Jena. After his father’s death in 1554, he received Saxe-Gotha as an apanage. Because he was a minor, his eldest brother John Frederick II governed for him until 1557. From 1557 he could rule Saxe-Gotha, but he made a contract with his brother in which the elder would administer the apanage for four more years; this was extended in 1561 for another four years.
John Frederick III died unmarried and childless in 1565 in Jena, at the age of 27. He was buried in the City Church in Weimar. He rarely acted alone and was often represented by his brothers.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 02:51 (CET).