George, Duke of Saxony

George
Portrait by Lucas Cranach the Elder, c. 1534
Duke of Saxony
Margrave of Meissen
Reign12 September 1500 – 17 April 1539
PredecessorAlbert III & IV
SuccessorHenry IV
Born27 August 1471
Meissen
Died17 April 1539(1539-04-17) (aged 67)
Dresden
Spouse
(m. 1496; died 1534)
Issue
Detail
HouseWettin (Albertine line)
FatherAlbert III, Duke of Saxony
MotherSidonie of Poděbrady
ReligionRoman Catholicism

George the Bearded (Meissen, 27 August 1471 – Dresden, 17 April 1539) was Duke of Saxony from 1500 to 1539 known for his opposition to the Reformation. While the Ernestine line embraced Lutheranism, the Albertines (headed by George) were reluctant to do so. Despite George's efforts to avoid a succession by a Lutheran upon his death in 1539, he could not prevent it from happening. Under the Act of Settlement of 1499, Lutheran Henry IV became the new duke. Upon his accession, Henry introduced Lutheranism as a state religion in the Albertine lands of Saxony.

Duke George was a member of the Order of the Golden Fleece.