Frederick III, Landgrave of Thuringia

Who was Frederick III, Landgrave of Thuringia?

Frederick III, the Strict, Landgrave of Thuringia and Margrave of Meissen, was the son of Frederick II, Margrave of Meissen and Mathilde of Bavaria.

He took over the government for his brothers William, Balthasar and Ludwig after the death of their father in 1349. One year later the Emperor gave the Margraviate of Meissen to the four brothers jointly. In 1368 common government began, afterwards the brothers changed rulership every two years. In 1379 they divided their possessions. After Frederick III's death, Meissen was divided between his three sons and Thuringia was inherited by his brothers; it later passed to his nephew Frederick IV, Landgrave of Thuringia, son of his brother Balthasar, and was ultimately inherited by Frederick the Strict's grandson, Frederick II, Elector of Saxony.