John George II of Saxony

Timeline

1. 1656–1661Dresden · SaxonySucceeded after his father John George I died in 1656; in 1657 divided territories with his brothers to avoid succession disputes, and began expanding the Dresden court, recruiting foreign musicians and artists.
2. 1661–1670Dresden · SaxonyIn 1661, owing to the enormous expense of the artistic court, he ceded greater monetary and fiscal oversight to the Saxon estates and approved the Dresden guardianship ordinance; in 1664 he established friendly relations with Louis XIV of France and accepted subsidies, while also responding to the diplomatic overtures of Emperor Leopold I. During this period Dresden continued to hold music festivals, and Saxony maintained a relatively independent stance in imperial politics.
3. 1670–1680Freiberg · SaxonyAround 1670 he implemented a currency reform of exchange thalers related to trade with the Netherlands and Hamburg to promote commerce; he continued to use music and art as symbols of rule. He died at Freiberg in 1680, was buried in Freiberg Cathedral, and was succeeded by his eldest son John George III.