1463 - 1525
HOUSE OF WETTIN, SOVEREIGN ELECTOR OF ERNESTINE SAXONY
Frederick was born in Hartenfels Castle, Torgau in 1463. The first son of Ernst, Elector of the House of Wettin. He succeeded his father and his younger brother John in 1486 as Elector and Sovereign of Ernestine Saxony.
He was a peaceful man and there was no warfare in his lands during his reign.
He established Wittenburg as his Royal Residency and built Castle Church there. In 1502, he founded Wittenburg University also.
By a Providential series of events, he would come into contact with the Friar, Martin Luther.
Martin Luther was an austere and studious Friar of the Augustinian Order. The strictest Order of its day. He also studied hard. He held a Masters' Degree in Law before he joined the Church and later secured a good understanding of Greek and Hebrew as well. Luther was sent to Wittenburg to be a Bible teacher there at the University Frederick had built.
It was there at Wittenburg that Luther studied the Word of G-d very closely and determined that much that was taking place around him was not biblical at all, even though the Roman Church and the pope said it was.
Luther began publishing his views and Frederick took notice of this significant individual. Luther was bringing a lot of good attention to his University, and Frederick thought Luther was really on to something.
Above is the door where Martin Luther posted his 95 Thesis at Wittenberg Cathedral. The original doors have been replaced by bronze doors upon which the 95 Thesis have been engraved.
Because of Luthers' positions, he came under condemnation by Pope Leo X. Frederick had backed Charles I of Spain who became Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. Charles V called an Imperial Council at Worms, Germany to deal with Martin Luther.
Although Luther was tried and released, Frederick knew that plots had been laid against Luther to slay him. Frederick speedily gave orders to his men to abduct Luther. Frederick instructed them to not even tell him where Luther was. Luther was taken to another of Fredericks' castles; Wartburg Castle, where he spent three years in exile, translating the entire Old and New Testaments into German for the first time so that the people could read it for themselves.
Fredericks' army protected Luther from then on. The quick action by Frederick the Wise saved Martin Luthers' life.
Wartburg Castle
Frederick the Wise departed this life in 1525. His legacy lived on. Those that had followed Luther joined Charles V when he marched against Pope Clement VII and sacked Rome in 1527.[1] Later, they also joined Charles V to drive Suleiman the Magnificent from the gates of Vienna when Islam threatened all Europe.
Frederick the Wise was a true and faithful friend to Luther. He was an Honorable Christian Prince: A True and Fearless Man of G-d and Hero of The Faith.
Translations: 
PEOPLE OF G-D MINISTRIES
Copyright 2003 People of G-d Inc. All Rights Reserved. Not for reproduction or redistribution without Written Permission and Consent of People of G-d Inc.
