Johann Georg, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels

In imitation of the decorations bestowed by the Fruitbearing Society (of which his grandfather was a head) Johann Georg created on 24 June 1704 a medal extolling knightly virtues "De la noble passion" with the motto "J’aime l’honneur, qui vient par la vertu" (en: "I love the honor that comes from virtue"). The statutes of the order, which the duke wrote both in German and in French, required an irreproachable life and noble birth for admittance.

During the Great Northern War, Weissenfels was occupied by Swedish troops from 1706 to 1707.

Because he died without surviving male issue, Johann Georg was succeeded by his brother Christian.

Marriage and issue

In Jena on 7 January 1698, Johann Georg married Fredericka Elisabeth of Saxe-Eisenach. They had seven children:

1. Fredericka (b. Weissenfels, 4 August 1701 – d. Weissenfels, 28 February 1706).
2. Johann Georg, Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Weissenfels (b. Weissenfels, 20 October 1702 – d. Weissenfels, 5 March 1703).
3. Johannette Wilhelmine (b. Weissenfels, 31 May 1704 – d. Weissenfels, 9 July 1704).
4. Johannette Amalie (b. Weissenfels, 8 September 1705 – d. Weissenfels, 7 February 1706).
5. Stillborn son (1706).
6. Johanna Magdalene (b. Weissenfels, 17 March 1708 – d. Leipzig, 25 January 1760), married on 5 January 1730 to Ferdinand Kettler, Duke of Courland and Semigallia.
7. Fredericka Amalie (b. Weissenfels, 1 March 1712 – d. Weissenfels, 31 January 1714).

References