Saxe-Gotha

Saxe-Gotha was a ernestinisches Duchy in today's Free State of Thuringia. It was founded in 1640 and expanded in 1672 to the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha -Altenburg. In 1680 it was split into an inheritance in seven duchies.

History

Saxe-Gotha was born in 1640 from a division of the inheritance of the duchy of Saxe -Weimar and fell to Duke Ernst I of Saxe- Gotha ( the Pious ), the second youngest son of Duke John III. of Saxe- Weimar.

Ernst I chose Gotha as the residence for his principality. In 1650 the Duke erected in his new residence in rooms of the west wing of the castle Friedensstein the mint Gotha. In the 35 years of his reign, he was able to significantly increase the Duchy of bequests:

• 1645, after the extinction of the line of Saxe- Eisenach by half of the Principality of Eisenach
• 1660 ( regulated in Kahlaer contract ) to parts of the final split county Henneberg,
• After the extinction of the line of Saxe-Altenburg in 1672 by three-quarters of the old burg areas including Coburg. The Principality was since the name Saxe-Gotha and Altenburg.

Duke Ernst I died in 1675, leaving seven sons, who initially shared the regency, as Ernestine until then rejected the law of primogeniture in the succession. The eldest son initially managed according to the wish of the father as Duke Friedrich I the business of government. The attempt at a common royal household in peace flintlock in Gotha failed, however, and in 1680 the inheritance among the seven brothers was divided:

Dukes of Saxe -Gotha

For the following dukes see Saxe-Gotha -Altenburg