Background
From the end of the 12th to the middle of the 13th century, a narrow circle of imperial electors … See more

When Martin Luther posted his 95 theses in Wittenberg in 1517, the electoral district and Ernestine possessions of Saxony became the focus of European attention since it was there … See more

The 1618 Defenestration of Prague, in which angry Protestants threw Catholic officials out of a window of Prague Castle, marked the end of a long period of religious peace. Elector John George I (r. 1611–1656) joined the emperor's side with the goal of … See more

Sources in German:
• Reiner Groß: Die Wettiner. Kohlhammer Verlag, Stuttgart 2007, ISBN 978-3-17-018946-1.
• Reiner Groß (Hrsg.): Landtage in Sachsen 1438–1831. Beiträge auf dem von der Professur … See more

Formation of the territorial complex in the late Middle Ages
Since the ruler's place of residence and his visibility to the … See more

Absolutism and splendor
On 27 April 1694 the prince who until then had scarcely made an appearance took over the affairs of state of Saxony as Elector See more

The Electorate stood on the verge of national bankruptcy after the Hubertusburg Peace. The national debt had reached 49 million thalers, about ten times the year's state revenue. … See more