| Friedrich Wilhelm I | |
| Succession: | Duke of Saxe-Weimar |
| Reign: | 2 March 1573 - 7 July 1602 |
| Regent: | Elector Augustus |
| Predecessor: | Johann Wilhelm |
| Successor: | Johann II |
| Spouse: | Sophie of Württemberg Anna Maria of the Palatinate-Neuburg |
| Issue: | Dorothea Sophia, Princess-Abbess of Quedlinburg Johann Philipp, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg Friedrich, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg Johann Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg Dorothea, Duchess of Saxe-Eisenach Friedrich Wilhelm II, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg |
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| Issue-Pipe: | among others... |
| House: | House of Wettin |
| Father: | Johann Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Weimar |
| Mother: | Dorothea Susanne of Simmern |
| Birth Date: | 25 April 1562 |
| Birth Place: | Weimar |
| Death Place: | Weimar |
| Religion: | Lutheran |
Friedrich Wilhelm I (25 April 1562 in Weimar - 7 July 1602 in Weimar) was a duke of Saxe-Weimar. He was the eldest son of Johann Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Weimar and Dorothea Susanne of Simmern.
At the time of the death of his father (1573), 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.[1] While she became regent, Friedrich Wilhelm was asked to assist and given the title of Administrator des Sächsischen Kurstaates (Administrator of the Saxon Electorate). He took residence in Torgau, and neglected the government of his duchy (which was instead led by his younger brother John, who had to take part – in accordance with the Ernestine House Law – anyway in the government).
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.
In Weimar on 5 May 1583 Friedrich Wilhelm married firstly with Sophie, daughter of Christoph, Duke of Württemberg. They had six children:
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:
NB: This entry quotes German Wikipedia: as a source.
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