Called “The Bearded,” he became Duke of Saxony in 1501. He initially favored Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses. Contrary to the sentiment of the University and the Bishop, he personally hosted the 1519 Leipzig debate between Luther and Eck.

Duke George was shocked when it seemed that Luther was advancing the views of Jan Hus and from that time on he was a strong opponent of the "Lutheran Heresy."

His sons (who would have remained loyal to the Pope) all died, and his only legitimate successor had already become an adherent of Luther. Duke George died before he could remove this Protestant successor.