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The original Duchy of Saxony was in Northern Germany, roughly corresponding to the modern German state of Lower Saxony and Westphalia.
Early dukes
Ottonian or Liudolfing dynasty
Billung Dynasty
Supplinburg Dynasty
Welf Dynasty
AscanianThe Ascanian dynasty of the rulers of Brandenburg began with Albert the Bear who inherited the territory from its last Wendish ruler, Pribislav, in 1150. Albert, and his descendants the House of Ascanian, then made considerable progress in Christianizing Dynasty
Welf Dynasty
With the final removal of the Welfs in 1180, the Duchies of Brunswick and Lüneburg, which fell to their descendants, passed out of the control of the Duchy of Saxony. The Ascanians, who now took control, were based further east, near the Elbe.
Ascanian Dynasty
On Albert II's death, Saxony was split between his sons, who became Duke of Saxe- Wittenberg and Saxe- Lauenburg. The Dukes of Saxe-Wittenberg were as follows:
Ascanian Dynasty
In 1356 was issued the Golden Bull, which raised the Duke of Saxe-Wittenberg to the status of Prince-elector. Henceforth he was known by the title of Elector of Saxony.
Ascanian Dynasty'
The last Ascanian Elector of Saxony died in 1422. He was succeeded by the Margrave Frederick of Meissen and Thuringia, of the Wettin Dynasty.
Wettin Dynasty
(on Frederick II's death, the Wettin territories were divided between his sons. The elder, Ernest , became elector and inherited Northern Meissen, Southern Thuringia, and Wittenberg, along with the Electoral title. Albert, the younger, was made duke and received Northern Thuringia and Southern Meissen)
Ernestine Electors of Saxony
Albertine Dukes of Saxony
In 1547, following Emperor Charles V's victory at the Battle of Mühlberg, Wittenberg and the Electoral dignity were transferred to the Albertine line. The Ernestine line continued to rule in southern Thuringian, but eventually split up into many different tiny duchies, of which Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Saxe-Meiningen, and Saxe-Altenburg lasted until 1918. These will not be listed here.
Albertine Electors of Saxony