Electors of Saxony in Luther’s Time: Frederick the Wise
The first Elector in Luther's career was the second elector in the Ernestine line of Electors of Saxony, named after the founding elector, Elector Ernst of the House of Wettin. This elector was Friedrich III, known commonly as "Frederick the Wise." Frederick himself had little personal contact with Luther and remained Roman Catholic. It is believed the only time Frederick and Luther were in the same room together was at the Diet of Worms. He communicated with Luther chiefly through his chaplain and secretary, Spalatin.
Friedrich was born in 17 January 1463 at Hartenfels Castle, Torgau. He was the first son of the Elector Ernst of the House of Wettin. His mother was Elisabeth, daughter of Albert, Duke of Bavaria.
In 1486 he succeeded his father (together with his younger brother John) as the sovereign of the Ernestine Saxony, which had been formed after the Leipziger partition of the estate in 1485. Historians portray Frederick as a man of peaceful conciliation who kept his territory out of all warfare during his reign.
Friedrich was an avid promoter of knowledge and art. He transformed the town of Wittenberg into his representative residence through the construction of his Castle, the Castle Church and the university (founded in 1502). During Luther's lifetime Wittenberg became the home and intellectual center of the Reformation movement. Frederick and his successors became reliable protectors, although Frederick stayed active in the background. Friedrich was deeply imbued with late medieval devoutness, but recognized the necessity of a reformation of the erstwhile Papal church. A reason he protected Luther was that he resented "good Saxon money flowing to Rome." He forbad John Tetzel from selling indulgences in Saxony (although Saxons still crossed the river to buy them anyway).
Pope Leo X nominated Frederick as a candidate for Holy Roman Emperor in 1519, but Frederick instead helped secure the election of Charles V.
Friedrich's greatest historical merit was his protection of Martin Luther from the Court of Inquisition. This tested his repertoire of diplomatic stalling tactics. Opponents could never find a weak point. Frederick saw Luther as unjustly persecuted because he believed Luther could not be found guilty of any real crime. Friedrich had a habit of forming his own opinion after exact consideration of the state of affairs by his advisers and listening to the opinion of a recognized expert. In the case of Luther that expert was Erasmus von Rotterdam.
This protection in the early years gave Luther and the entire Reformation a chance to flourish. But more was at play than religious belief. Political influences prompted him to help Luther. Frederick opposed the power of the pope and the emperor in Germany and Luther was a threat to both men. Frederick also couldn't stand to see Luther condemned as a heretic if his teaching was actually the truth.
In 1520 he refused to put into execution the papal bull which ordered Luther's writings to be burned and the reformer to be put under restraint or sent to Rome. Frederick secured an exemption from the Edict of Worms for Saxony and ensured Luther would be heard before the Diet of Worms in 1521. He further protected Luther from the emperor and pope by taking him into custody at Wartburg Castle after the Diet of Worms. The risk in doing this was great. Luther, condemned as a heretic, was a criminal in the eyes of church and state. Anyone could kill him (and perhaps claim a bounty). Anyone aiding and abetting said criminals could also be punished. I suspect the Elector's army and influence gave him an advantage Luther did not have.
In having Luther spirited away to the Wartburg, Frederick did not want to know the details. He wanted to truthfully say to both Pope and Holy Roman Emperor, "I do not know where Luther is." However, Luther still corresponded with others in Wittenberg as he translated the New Testament into German while staying at the Wartburg and word got to him about Carlstadt's "reforms" in Wittenberg.
Frederick was among the princes who pressed the need of reform upon the German king Maximilian I. in 1495, and in 1500 he became president of the newly-formed council of regency (Reichsregiment). In 1493 Frederick took a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where he was made a knight of the Holy Sepulchre.
Frederick remained throughout life an adherent of the older faith who was drawn into sympathy with the reformers, likely through his connection with the university of Wittenberg.
Frederick the Wise died unmarried at Langau, near Annaberg, at his hunting lodge in Lochau on May 5, 1525. He was 63 years old. Frederick died shortly before the close of the Peasants' War, dying peacefully as he had lived. His last hours at the castle of Lochau form a striking contrast with the stormy and bloody scenes around him.
He hoped that the common people would not prevail, but admitted that they had reason to complain of harsh treatment.
"Dear children," he said to his servants, "if I have wronged any one of you, I beg you to forgive me for God's sake; we princes do many naughty things to the poor people."
Shortly before his death, he partook of the holy communion in both kinds, the only distinct Lutheran act in his life. His body was moved to Wittenberg and buried in the castle church at which Luther had posted his Ninety-Five Theses. Melanchthon delivered a Latin oration. Luther wrote letters of condolence to his brother and nephew, who succeeded him, and praised his wisdom, his kindness to his subjects, his love of justice and hatred of falsehood. Aleander, the Pope's legate at Worms, called him "the old fox of Saxony," but in history he bears the name of the Wise. His cautious reserve was the best policy for the time.
Of Frederick, whom he only knew from a distance, Luther said:
"He was a wise, intelligent, able, and good man, who hated all display and hypocrisy. He was never married. His life was pure and modest. His motto 'Tantum quantum possim' was a sign of his good sense ... . He was a fine manager and economist. He listened patiently in his council, shut his eyes, and took notes of each opinion. Then he formed his own conclusion. Such a prince is a blessing from God."
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