German Awards - German States - Saxe-Meiningen - Duchy

The Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen arose from the partition of the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha. The rulers come from the Ernestine tribe.
The 3rd son of Bernhard I Duke Ernst I received Saxe-Meinigen. The eldest sons were dukes in Saxe-Coburg and Saxe-Gotha respectively.
It existed from 1680 to 1918. The capital was Meiningen. During the war of 1866, the duchy was on the Austrian side. At the peace talks, Berhard II was forced to abdicate in favor of his son George II. Saxony-Meinigen became a member of the North German Union, and later the German Empire. The dukes from 1826-1918 were:

• Bernhard II. 1826-1866
• George II. 1866-1914
• Bernhard III. 1914-1918

The last duke, Bernhard III. abdicated, as did all princes in 1918.
After that, Saxe-Meiningen became a free state.