In 1296 Albert II and his nephews Albert III , Eric I , and John II ended their joint rule and split Saxony into the Lauenburg line , where Albert III , Eric I , and John II continued to rule jointly until 1303 , and the Wittenberg line , where Albert II continued as sole ruler until 1298 . In 1296 Albert II and his nephews Albert III , Eric I , and John II terminated their joint rule and partitioned Saxony into the Lauenburg line , where Albert III , Eric I , and John II continued to rule jointly until 1303 , and the Wittenberg line , where Albert II continued as sole ruler until 1298 .