[1] With the cooperation of Landgrave Philip I of Hesse, the division of the County of Waldeck was arranged by treaty on 22 November 1538.

[3] The two leaders of the Schmalkaldic League, Elector John Frederick I of Saxony and Landgrave Philip I of Hesse, formed an army in the middle of 1546.

[3] Therefore, he summoned them under threat of the imperial ban to the Diet of Augsburg in 1548, so that they would answer for their participation in the army of the Schmalkaldic League and reconcile with him.

[4] John travelled to Augsburg with his brother Philip V, who as a Catholic clergyman had been on the side of the Protestants, and his halfbrother Wolrad II, as well as with Samuel, who had not been summoned at all.

Arriving in Augsburg on 14 April 1548, weeks passed by during which the Counts of Waldeck sought – and finally found – advocates.

Philip and John had to pay him 5,000 guilders, Wolrad even 8,000, because he had turned against the Emperor in word and deed more than the other counts, so it was said.

On 12 August the Emperor also issued a letter of protection for Countess Dowager Anne and for Wolrad, Philip and John.

However, the collection of taxes from the estates of the realm was difficult and forced the long overdue improvement of the administration of the county.

[citation needed] The Counts of Waldeck had a tendency towards more independence after the Imperial and Religion Peace of Augsburg.

[6] After the Peace of Augsburg of 1555, John proposed to the other counts of Waldeck to hold a meeting with all ministers in the county to improve the Lutheran church.

[citation needed] In 1561, Jobst Schaden, who was the governor of Volkmarsen, from the Electorate of Cologne, invaded John's part of Waldeck.

[citation needed] John died in Landau [de] on 9 April 1567 and was buried in the church in Mengeringhausen.