Background
From the end of the 12th to the middle of the 13th century, a narrow circle of imperial electors emerged that succeeded in excluding others … 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 … 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 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 … 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