Frederick II (German: Friedrich; 30 November 1310 – 18 November 1349) was the margrave of Meissen from 1323 until his death.

Early life

Frederick was born on 30 November 1310 in Gotha. His parents were Margrave Frederick I of Meissen and Elisabeth von Lobdeburg-Arnshaugk. In 1323, under the guardianship of his mother, he succeeded his father in the Margraviate of Meissen and Thuringia.

Personal rule

After reaching the age of majority in 1329, he had to pass long-term fights with the vassals and neighbours. These conflicts mainly rose due to Frederick's declaration of peace in 1338, which drastically diminished the rights and influence of the small landlords and the local rulers, and which goal was the subjugation of the latter two groups.^[1] In 1342, dissatisfied nobles, whose concerns were their rights and independence, banded together in Arnstadt (southwest of Erfurt) against Frederick II, in what would be known as the Thuringian Count's War.^[1] The conflict would last up to 1346. After the death of Emperor Louis IV, the Bavarian party tried to move him to the acceptance of the German crown, however, he mistrusted the inconstancy of his voters and rejected such strange request in favour of Charles IV. Frederick II limited himself to consolidate his rule and to defend against the danger going out from Charles IV. At a meeting 1348 in Bautzen both recognized the existing possession states. Frederick died on 18 November 1349 in Wartburg.

Family

Frederick II married May 1323 in Nürnberg Mathilde of Bavaria, daughter of Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor and had 9 children:

1. Elisabeth (22 November 1329 – 21 April 1375), married to Frederick V of Nuremberg.
2. Frederick (born and died 1330)
3. Frederick III, Landgrave of Thuringia
4. Balthasar (1336-1406)
5. Beatrice (1 September 1339 – 15 July 1399), nun in Weißenfels
6. Louis (25 February 1340 – 17 February 1382), Bishop of Bamberg
7. William the One-eyed
8. Anne (7 August 1345 – 22 March 1363), nun in Seußlitz
9. Clara Elisabetta (born 7 August 1345)