Though he probably remained a Catholic throughout his life, Frederick III of Saxony (aka “Frederick the Wise”) played an important role in the birth of Lutheranism though his protection of Martin Luther.
Born January 17, 1463, Frederick succeeded his father as Elector of Saxony in 1486. As an Elector, he held one of seven voted to determine the Holy Roman Emperor. Frederick co-founded the University of Wittenberg, where Martin Luther would later study and teach, in 1502.
Martin Luther’s publication of the 95 Theses in 1517 started The Reformation. But, at the time, it started a political and theological controversy. In 1521, Pope Leo X excommunicated Luther. Afterward, Frederick the Wise prevented Luther’s extradition to Rome. He negotiated for Luther to have safe passage to his trial at the Diet of Worms. Afterward, as Martin Luther left the Diet of Worms, Frederick arranged for a fake abduction, and secretly harbored Martin Luther at Wartburg. There, Luther translated the New Testament from Greek to German, and continued to produce theological papers at odds with church practices. Considering the fate of reformer Jan Hus who was executed following trial in 1415, Frederick probably saved Luther’s life.
Frederick the Wise’s power to save Luther stemmed from his vote as Elector of the Holy Roman Emperor, and also from his monetary position. Thanks to Saxony’s silver mines, Frederick was among the richest of the Holy Roman Empire princes. Additionally, the Hapsburgs owed Frederick money lent in 1497. Frederick’s motive is not known for certain, but experts suggest that his belief in due process and fairness spurred his actions, rather than religious conviction.
When Frederick III died in 1525, the threat to Martin Luther’s life had subsided. Frederick’s heir, his brother John the Steadfast, converted to Lutheranism and made the Lutheran Church the official church of Saxony in 1527.
Sources:
HILLERBRAND, H. J. (1996). The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Reformation V. 2. Oxford University Press.
Wikimedia Foundation. (2025, April 28). Frederick III, elector of Saxony. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_III,_Elector_of_Saxony