Magnus II, Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg facts for kids

Magnus II of Saxe-Lauenburg (born 1543 – died May 14, 1603, in Ratzeburg) was a duke from the House of Ascania. He was the oldest surviving son of Duke Francis I of Saxe-Lauenburg and Sybille of Saxe-Freiberg. Magnus became duke in 1571 when his father, Francis I, stepped down because of financial difficulties. However, just two years later, Francis I, with help from his other son Francis (II), removed Magnus from power and became duke again. Magnus tried to get his duchy back, but he failed. In 1588, he was put in prison and stayed there for the rest of his life.

Life Story of Magnus II

Early Years and Swedish Connections

When Magnus was seven years old, in 1550, his father tried to get him elected as the next prince-bishop of the nearby Prince-Bishopric of Ratzeburg. But the church leaders there said no. So, Magnus spent his younger years at the royal court in Sweden, where the House of Vasa ruled. He became good friends with his cousin, Prince Eric. When Eric became King Eric XIV, Magnus was treated well.

Military Role and Marriage

King Eric XIV of Sweden was fighting against his cousin, King Frederick II of Denmark. This war was called the Scandinavian Seven Years' War (1563–1570). Magnus became a high-ranking commander for Sweden in 1566. He married Eric's half-sister, Princess Sophia of Sweden, in a quiet ceremony on July 4, 1568. However, King Eric later removed Magnus from his command because he wasn't very successful. Magnus then joined Eric's half-brothers, Charles and John. Together, they took over Stockholm on September 29, 1568, and removed Eric from the throne.

Becoming Duke and New Problems

As a Swedish commander, and with money from Sophia's dowry, Magnus became quite wealthy. His father, Francis I, agreed to step down as duke in 1571. In return, Magnus promised to get back the ducal lands that had been given away as security for loans. But instead of getting these lands back, Magnus actually sold more parts of the duchy. For example, he sold the right to the lands of Tremsbüttel to Duke Adolphus of Holstein-Gottorp.

This caused a big disagreement between Magnus and his father, his brothers Francis (II) and Maurice, and the important people of the duchy. People also opposed Magnus because his way of ruling caused problems and made people unhappy.

Losing the Throne and Attempts to Return

In October 1573, Francis I removed Magnus from power and became duke again. The next year, Magnus hired soldiers, including some from the Netherlands, to try and take Saxe-Lauenburg by force. He attacked and took over Ratzeburg in early October. But he left when his brother Francis (II), who was a skilled military leader, and Duke Adolphus of Holstein-Gottorp arrived with their troops. Because of this, Saxe-Lauenburg had to give up the area of Steinhorst to Holstein-Gottorp in 1575.

Magnus then went to his lands in Uppland, Sweden, in 1574. He faced difficulties and disagreements with others there. The next year, his brother-in-law, the new King John III of Sweden, gave Magnus Sonnenburg castle on Ösel island. Magnus had disagreements with the local Danish leader there. He also claimed the Danish island of Mön as his own and took it over.

The Danes complained about Magnus. Meanwhile, King John III was also unhappy with Magnus. Sophia, Magnus's wife, separated from him and stayed in Sweden with their son Gustav. In 1578, Magnus tried a second time to conquer Saxe-Lauenburg. But his brother Francis (II) stopped him. Because of his military success, their father rewarded Francis (II) by making him a viceregent, which means a ruler acting for the duke.

Succession and Imprisonment

In 1581, shortly before he died, Francis I decided that his third son, Francis II, would be his only successor. He thought Francis II was the most capable. This decision went against the rule of primogeniture, which means the oldest son usually inherits everything.

Because the rule of primogeniture was broken, the important people of the duchy could have seen Francis II as not being the rightful duke. However, Francis II only acted as an administrator of Saxe-Lauenburg for a while. Magnus II asked Emperor Rudolph II to give him the throne. On January 31, 1585, Emperor Rudolph II finally decided in favor of Francis II, as had been agreed with Francis I in 1581.

Meanwhile, Francis II had convinced his brother Maurice to share power with him and the duchy's important people. On December 16, 1585, Francis II agreed to a special law called the "Eternal Union." This law created a permanent group of representatives from the nobility and cities of Saxe-Lauenburg. This group had a big say in how the duchy was governed. In return, this group accepted Francis II as the rightful duke and honored him in 1586.

Francis II tricked Magnus into a trap in Hamburg and captured him in 1588. Magnus stayed in prison for the rest of his life, mostly in the castle of Ratzeburg, where he died in 1603.

Family Life

On July 4, 1568, Magnus II married Sophia of Sweden (born October 29, 1547 – died March 17, 1611). After 1574, they lived in Sweden. Magnus and Sophia had one son:

• Gustav (born August 31, 1570, in Västerås – died November 11, 1597, in Stockholm). Gustav was a governor in Kalmar. He passed away at the age of 27.