John George IV facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John George IV |
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Portrait by Heinrich Christoph Fehling
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| Elector of Saxony | |
| Reign | 12 September 1691 – 27 April 1694 |
| Predecessor | John George III |
| Successor | Frederick Augustus I |
| Born | 18 October 1668 Dresden, Electorate of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire |
| Died | 27 April 1694 (aged 25) Dresden, Electorate of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire |
| Burial | Freiberg Cathedral |
| Spouse | Eleonore Erdmuthe of Saxe-Eisenach |
| Issue | Wilhelmina Maria Fryderyka von Rochlitz (illegitimate) |
| House | Wettin |
| Father | John George III, Elector of Saxony |
| Mother | Princess Anna Sophie of Denmark |
| Religion | Lutheran |
John George IV (born October 18, 1668, in Dresden – died April 27, 1694, in Dresden) was the Elector of Saxony from 1691 to 1694. An Elector was a powerful ruler in the Holy Roman Empire who had a special vote in choosing the Emperor.
He was part of the House of Wettin, a very old and important family. John George IV was the oldest son of John George III, Elector of Saxony and Anna Sophie of Denmark.
Becoming Elector
John George IV became the Elector of Saxony when his father passed away on September 12, 1691. He was ready to take on this big role.
Early Challenges
When John George IV first became Elector, his main advisor was Hans Adam von Schöning. This advisor suggested that Saxony should team up with Brandenburg (another important German state) and be more independent from the Emperor.
Following this advice, John George IV made some requests to Emperor Leopold I. However, the Emperor did not agree to them. Because of this, the Saxon soldiers left the Emperor's army. This made the Emperor very upset, and he had Schöning arrested in July 1692.
Even though John George IV tried, he couldn't get his advisor released. But Emperor Leopold I managed to calm the young Elector down. By early 1693, the Saxon soldiers rejoined the Emperor's forces.
His Marriage and Family Life
On April 17, 1692, in Leipzig, John George IV married Eleonore Erdmuthe of Saxe-Eisenach. His mother, Anna Sophie, strongly encouraged this marriage. The main reason was for John George IV to have children who could inherit his title and continue the family line.
However, John George IV had a close companion named Magdalena Sibylla of Neidschutz. His father had tried to separate them before he died. After John George IV became Elector, he lived openly with Magdalena Sibylla. She became the first "Official Companion" of an Elector of Saxony.
His wife, Eleonore Erdmuthe, felt very sad and lonely because of this. John George IV moved to a different palace to live with Magdalena Sibylla. His younger brother, Frederick Augustus, often tried to help him make good decisions, especially regarding his marriage.
Final Years
Magdalena Sibylla was given the title Countess of Rochlitz in February 1693. Soon after, she had a daughter named Wilhelmina Maria Fryderyka von Rochlitz. This was John George IV's only child.
Sadly, their happiness did not last long. Magdalena Sibylla became very sick with smallpox and passed away on April 4, 1694. She died in the Elector's arms. John George IV also caught the disease.
John George IV died just twenty-three days later, on April 27, 1694. He was buried in the Freiberg Cathedral.
Since John George IV did not have any children with his wife (she had two miscarriages), his brother, Frederick Augustus, became the next Elector. Frederick Augustus later became King of Poland. The new Elector took care of John George IV's young daughter, Wilhelmina Maria. She grew up at the royal court. Frederick Augustus treated her like his own niece and gave her a dowry when she married a Polish Count.
