Johann Ernst II, Duke of Saxe-Weimar

Johann Ernst II, Duke of Saxe-Weimar (b. Weimar, 11 September 1627 - d. Weimar, 15 May 1683), was a duke of Saxe-Weimar.

He was the second but eldest surviving son of Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Weimar and Eleonore Dorothea of Anhalt-Dessau.

After the death of his father on 1662, he became reigning duke. In 1672 Johann Ernst divided his possessions with his younger brothers. He retainded Weimar, his brother Johann Georg I received Eisenach, and his other brother, Bernhard, received Jena. Eventually, the partitioned lands, Saxe-Weimar, Saxe-Eisenach (1741) and Saxe-Jena (1690) were re-combined.

Like his father, Johann Ernst was particularly interested in the arts (see Fruitbearing Society). He was also an avid hunter. Given his overriding interest in these pursuits, Johann Ernst entrusted the reigns of government to his chancellor.

In Weimar on 14 August 1656, Johann Ernst married Christine Elisabeth of Holstein-Sonderburg, (23 June 1638 – 7 June 1679), daughter of Johann Christian, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg (26 April 1607 – 28 June 1653).They had five children:

1. Anna Dorothea (b. Weimar, 12 November 1657 - d. Quedlinburg, 23 June 1704), Abbess of Quedlinburg (1685–1704).
2. Wilhelmine Christine (b. Weimar, 26 January 1658 - d. Sondershausen, 30 June 1712), married on 25 September 1684 to Christian Wilhelm of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen.
3. Eleonore Sophie (b. Weimar,......
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