Saxe-Weissenfels

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Duchy of Saxe-Weissenfels Herzogtum Sachsen-Weißenfels
1656–1746
Flag Coat of arms
Status	August
• 1680–1697	Johann Adolf I
• 1697–1712	Johann Georg
• 1712–1736	Christian
• 1736–1746	Johann Adolf II
Historical era	Early modern Europe
• Death of elector     Johann Georg I	8 October 1656
• Ducal line extinct	16 May 1746
Preceded by Succeeded by Electorate of Saxony Electorate of Saxony

Saxe-Weissenfels (German: Sachsen-Weißenfels) was a duchy of the Holy Roman Empire from 1656/7 until 1746 with its residence at Weißenfels. Ruled by a cadet branch of the Albertine House of Wettin, the duchy passed to the Electorate of Saxony upon the extinction of the line.

George Frideric Handel's father Georg Händel from 1657 on served as a physician to Duke Augustus of Saxe-Weissenfels, the composer himself was born in the former ducal residence of Halle. According to legend it was Duke Johan Adolf I admiring George Frederic's performance on the church organ of Neu-Augustusburg Castle, who promoted his musical career. In 1713 Johann Sebastian Bach dedicated his cantata Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd, BWV 208 to Christian of Saxe-Weissenfels in celebration of the duke's 31st birthday, it was first performed at the ducal Neuenburg Castle at Freyburg.

• 
  Neuenburg Castle at Freyburg
• 
  Querfurt Castle
• 
  Barby Castle

Dukes of Saxe-Weissenfels

• Augustus (1656–80), son of Elector John George I of Saxony, also administrator of Magdeburg since 1638, Count of Barby from 1659

Line extinct, fell back to the electoral House of Wettin.

References