Charles II, Duke of Saxe-Belzig | |
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Portrait by Georg Bussemacher, 1549 | |
Duke of Saxe-Belzig | |
Reign | 1560-1589 |
Coronation | 12 February 1560 |
Predecessor | |
Successor | Henry I |
Co-monarch | Agnes |
Born | 18 May 1510 Cölln, Brandenburg, Holy Roman Empire |
Died | 20 June 1589 Belzig, Saxe-Belzig, Holy Roman Empire |
Spouse | Agnes of Belzig |
Issue | Henry I |
House | Přemyslid Dynasty |
Father | Charles I of Brandenburg |
Mother | Maria von Battenberg |
Religion | Jungism |
Charles II (18 May 1510 - 20 June 1589) was Duke of Saxe-Belzig alongside his wife Agnes from 1560 until his death. Charles II ascended to the throne following the death of Barbara and the abdication of her husband Wolfgang I, who was also ruler of the Duchy of Saxony, as per an agreement made by Barbara's father Charles the White that was backed with military force by John III, Duke of Brandenburg, Charles II's half-brother.
Charles II was born in Cölln, Brandenburg, a distant son of Charles I, and was raised Jungist from birth. Having remained unmarried up to this point, Charles was considered a prime candidate for the throne of Belzig to improve relations with the Brandenburgers, and to prevent further consolidation under Saxony. As duke Charles II was a pragmatic and strict ruler, something that clashed completely with the personality of his wife Agnes. While Agnes was a patron of the arts, high fashion, and entertainment, Charles was famed more for his stoicism and shrewdness. After Agnes' spending nearly bankrupted Belzig, she agreed to relinquish control over state affairs to her husband. Charles sought to promote trade into Belzig from the Elbe River, and so made connections in the Hanseatic League. He created a proper military for Belzig, although it proved exceptionally small due to population and budgetary constraints. Charles would outlive his wife by two years and rule as the sole duke for a short period, before dying of old age in 1589, having only just begun many of his reforms. He was succeeded by his son Henry I.
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