John Frederick the Magnanimous

The history of the Church—and in particular, the Reformation of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries—is a fascinating subject of study. While individuals such as Martin Luther and John Calvin stand out, there are certainly other, though perhaps lesser-known, characters who left their own significant marks on history.

John Frederick the Magnanimous was one such character.

This biography of the Saxon elector who ruled from 1532 to 1547 is the first-ever English translation of Georg Mentz’s original biography of John Frederick. Featuring abundant coverage of the elector’s life and the political issues he faced, this biography also provides useful background for the study of Luther’s later years, as well as a description of the Smalcald War following Luther’s death.

Translated by James Langebartels and published by Concordia Publishing House

This is the second volume in the biography of John Frederick the Magnanimous. The first volume is available from Concordia Publishing House (published in 2018), and the third volume is available below. This is an original translation of the biography prepared by Georg Mentz for the 400th anniversary of John Frederick’s birth in 1903.

Translated and published by James Langebartels 

This is the final volume of the biography of John Frederick the Magnanimous, elector of Saxony 1532-1547. This volume begins with the Smalcald War and ends with the elector’s release from prison and death. The first volume, detailing John Frederick’s education and life up to 1532, is available from Concordia Publishing House. The second volume, covering John Frederick’s fourteen years as elector up to the beginning of the Smalcald War, is available above.

Translated and published by James Langebartels 

John Frederick the Magnanimous promoted the Reformation. In the Smalcald War, he was the leader of the Evangelicals. Captured by the emperor after the battle at Muhlberg, he was kept prisoner for five year. Even during his imprisonment he was working for the establishment of a new Lutheran university in Jena. These essays were delivered in connection with the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Frederick in 2003.

Translated and published by James Langebartels