Augustus, Elector of Saxony

Augustus
Portrait by Cyriakus Roder, 1586
Elector of Saxony
Reign9 July 1553 – 11 February 1586
PredecessorMaurice
SuccessorChristian I
Born31 July 1526
Freiberg, Electorate of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire
Died11 February 1586(1586-02-11) (aged 59)
Dresden, Electorate of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire
Burial
SpouseAnne of Denmark
Agnes Hedwig of Anhalt
Issue
among others...
Christian I, Elector of Saxony
Elisabeth, Countess Palatine of Simmern
Dorothea, Duchess of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Anna, Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach
HouseWettin (Albertine line)
FatherHenry IV, Duke of Saxony
MotherCatherine of Mecklenburg
ReligionLutheran
Signature

Augustus (German: August; 31 July 1526 – 11 February 1586), who called himself Augustus and was popularly known as "Father August" in reference to his paternal rule, was Elector of Saxony from 1553 until his death. He belonged to the Albertine branch of the House of Wettin, succeeding his brother Maurice, who had fallen in the Battle of Sievershausen without leaving a male heir.