Frederick William III, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg

Friedrich Wilhelm III. of Saxe- Altenburg ( born July 12, 1657 Altenburg, † April 14, 1672 ibid ) was the last Duke of Saxe- Altenburg. With his death the line of Saxe-Altenburg died out.

Life

Friedrich Wilhelm was a son of the second marriage of Duke Friedrich Wilhelm II of Saxe -Altenburg and Princess Magdalena Sibylle of Saxony. Friedrich Wilhelm III. followed at the age of 12 years, his father, Friedrich Wilhelm II as Duke of Saxe- Altenburg. His reign was regulated by a guardianship scheme of Elector Johann Georg II of Saxony and Duke Moritz of Saxony- Zeitz. Only 14 years old, died the young Duke on April 14, 1672 the " child Browse " ( smallpox) shortly after returning from a trip to Dresden. His burial in the tomb of his father's Altenburg Castle Church took place on July 17. With him the only 1603 donated, older line of Saxe-Altenburg became extinct in the male line.

He was succeeded Ernst I of Saxe- Gotha, the Pious, at, because of the testamentary provision of Friedrich Wilhelm II, that the eldest agnate should inherit alone. However, Ernst -bought the Pious keep still entitled to inherit who also Ernestine line of Saxe-Weimar with the assignment of six offices and other assets and rights ( about a quarter of the territory) - but as he pointed out, willingly and voluntarily.