Because he was the older , Ernest became Elector of Saxony , but the brothers shared ruling the lands until 1485 . Then Ernest took northern MeiÃ en , southern Thuringia , and Wittenberg , with Albert receiving northern Thuringia and southern MeiÃ en In 1485 , by the Leipziger division , the brothers split the Wettin possessions , with Ernest receiving northern Meissen , southern Thuringia , and Wittenberg , and Albert receiving northern Thuringia and southern Meissen .