Francis Julius of Saxe-Lauenburg

Duke Francis Julius of Sachsen-Lauenburg (13 September 1584 in Ratzeburg – 8 October 1634 in Vienna) was a prince of Saxe-Lauenburg. Life Julius Francis was the eldest son of Francis II, Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg from his second marriage, Maria of Brunswick-Lüneburg, the daughter of Julius, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. His education and training, like that of his siblings, was patchy and superficial. His older half-brother Augustus succeeded his father in 1619 as Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg. On 4 October 1619 he signed a contract with his brothers. He acknowledged his brother as the ruling Duke and in return he received the Anker Manor as a residence and an annual pension of 2500 thalers. Julius Francis served as a chamberlain at the imperial court in Vienna and was entrusted with several diplomatic missions by Emperor Ferdinand II. When his brother Augustus occupied Amt Neuhaus, which was Francis Julius's mother's wittum, Francis Julius objected vehemently. The dispute lasted until Francis Julius's death. Francis Julius also initiated, on behalf of his family, a case before the Aulic Council against the city of Hamburg, about the ownership of the district and castle of Ritzebüttel (today's Cuxhaven).