Eric III, Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg

Erich III. of Saxe- Lauenburg († May 25, 1401 ) was from 1370 to 1401 Duke of Saxe- Lauenburg in the line Bergedorf - Mölln.

After his brother Albrecht V had died of Saxe- Lauenburg in 1370 without issue, Erich left the clerical state, which he had heard up to that point - he was a canon - and took over the government.

Due to the high debt that lay on her part of the duchy, Albrecht and Eric had already pledged in 1359 town and bailiwick Mölln for 9,737 ½ marks.

But even now, eleven years later, a great debt to the Duchy congested, Erich came again approached Lübeck and pledged his remaining part of his lands: Bergedorf and the four country and the customs office of Esslinger ferry with the Riepenburg. This allows a total debt of 26,000 marks was on the property line Bergedorf - Mölln.

Erich secured a life-long residency at Schloss Bergedorf and earnings of Möllner customs office. In return, the Lübeck put an a trustee at Schloss Bergedorf.

When Erich III. 1401 died without descendants saw the Lübeck the pledged area as their property. The cousin of the deceased Duke and the other part of the duchy, Erich IV of Saxe- Lauenburg, on the other hand saw himself as the legitimate heir and took six weeks after Erich III. Death Bergedorf Palace by surprise. He finished the real division of the Duchy of 1305.

His final resting place Erich in the Bergedorf Chapel of Ratzeburg Cathedral. The grave was destroyed during the demolition of the Bergedorf chapel during the alterations to the cathedral, which took place 1876-1881. Only a memorial stone in the north wall of the cathedral reminiscent of Erik Dux Saxoniae.