Frederick I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg (German: Friedrich I. von Sachsen-Gotha-Altenburg; 15 July 1646 – 2 August 1691), was a territorial ruler in Thuringia from the Ernestine branch of the House of Wettin. He continued the line of Saxe-Gotha founded by Ernest I, his father, which, to distinguish it from the older Gotha line, is generally referred to as Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg.
Contents
Life
Early life and regency
When Ernst inherited the duchy of Saxe-Altenburg (1672), he made Frederick the regent of that duchy. In 1674 Ernst, who was already ill, made Frederick the regent of his entire lands.
After the death of his father (1675) Frederick assumed the throne of both duchies. However, on the basis of his family's house law, he had to allow his six younger brothers to take part in the government. At first, they agreed to a common household of all seven brothers in the Schloss Friedenstein, though this arrangement endured only until 1676.