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Johann Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Weimar (b. Altenburg, 21 February 1594 - d. Sankt Martin, Hungary, 6 December 1626), was a duke of Saxe-Weimar.

He was the eldest son of Johann, Duke of Saxe-Weimar and Dorothea Maria of Anhalt.

During his first years, Johann Ernst had a house teacher and yard master, Frederick of Kospoth. In 1608 he start his studies with his younger brothers, Wilhelm and Frederick, in the University of Jena. To be accompanied and supervised the three princes was appointed the later Field Marshal Kaspar of Teutleben and the Preceptor Frederick Hortleder. Some years later, in 1613-1614, Johann and his brothers, with his guardians, take a tour for France, Great Britain and the Netherlands in order to continue his studies.

In 1615 Johann Ernst reached adulthood and take over the government of his duchy and the guardianship of his younger brothers, who were still under age.

On 24 August 1617 in the Schloss Hornstein (now Wilhelmsburg Castle), during his mother's funeral, Johann Ernst created The Fruitbearing Society (Fruchtbringende Gesellschaft), a German literary society. The young duke participates as initial member.

During his government, Johann Ernst promoted the reforms of Wolfgang Ratke in Köthen. Also supported in Weimar the similar school reforms of Johannes Kromayer and Johann Weidner, starting on 1618 in Jena and Weimar with the annullment of tax decrees.

In 1620 Johann Ernst served under Frederick V, Elector Palatine, the famous King of One Winter. After his defeat in the battle of White Mountain on 8 November 1620, the duke refused, submitting without conditions to the emperor. Then, in punishment, he lost his states and the guardianship of his brothers.

At first, against the Habsburgs, he fought in the Netherlands as a ride master and later, as a Danish lieutenant general of the cavalry in Westphalia and Lower Saxony. As such he participated in the conquest of the Schlesiens, afterwards he fought for the count Peter Ernst II of Mansfeld by one of his fields in Hungary.

There Johann Ernst died, at the age of 32 years, in the Hungarian location of Sankt Martin.

This article is based on a translation of an article from the German Wikipedia.