Albert IV, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Encyclopedia
Albert IV, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen (d. Coswig
, 24 November 1423), was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst
until 1396, when he became the first ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen
.
He was the second son of John II, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst
, by his wife Elisabeth, daughter of John I, Count of Henneberg-Schleusingen.
and Waldemar III
. After the death of Waldemar in 1391, Albert and Sigismund became sole co-rulers. Destined for the church at a very young age, Albert was made canon of Magdeburg Cathedral in 1392.
Five years later, in 1396, the brothers Sigismund and Albert decided to settle on a formal division of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst. As "Lord of Köthen," Albert took possession of the town of Köthen as his main residence and capital of his newly-created principality. Shortly after, he resigned all of his ecclesiastic posts in order to marry and produce heirs to his lands.
Bef. 4 February 1419 Albert married for a second time to Elisabeth (d. 1452), daughter of Gebhard XI, Count of Querfurt and widow of Conrad (Kurt) of Hadmersleben, Lord of Egeln. They had three children:
Coswig
Coswig can refer to two towns in Germany, both on the river Elbe:*Coswig, Saxony, in the district of Meißen, Saxony*Coswig, Anhalt, in the district of Wittenberg, Saxony-Anhalt...
, 24 November 1423), was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst
Anhalt-Zerbst
Anhalt-Zerbst was a district in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is bounded by the districts Potsdam-Mittelmark and Wittenberg, the city of Dessau and the districts of Köthen, Schönebeck and Jerichower Land.- History :...
until 1396, when he became the first ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen
Anhalt-Köthen
Anhalt-Köthen has existed on two separate occasions. The first state was created in 1396 when the Anhalt-Zerbst was partitioned between Anhalt-Dessau and Anhalt-Köthen. The first creation lasted until 1552 when it was inherited by Anhalt-Dessau....
.
He was the second son of John II, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst
John II, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst
John II, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst....
, by his wife Elisabeth, daughter of John I, Count of Henneberg-Schleusingen.
Life
In 1382, after the death of his father, Albert inherited the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst jointly with his brothers Sigismund ISigismund I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
Sigismund I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst until 1396, when he became the first ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Dessau....
and Waldemar III
Waldemar III, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst
Waldemar III, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst.He was the youngest son of John II, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, by his wife Elisabeth, daughter of John I, Count of Henneberg-Schleusingen.-Life:Waldemar inherited the...
. After the death of Waldemar in 1391, Albert and Sigismund became sole co-rulers. Destined for the church at a very young age, Albert was made canon of Magdeburg Cathedral in 1392.
Five years later, in 1396, the brothers Sigismund and Albert decided to settle on a formal division of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst. As "Lord of Köthen," Albert took possession of the town of Köthen as his main residence and capital of his newly-created principality. Shortly after, he resigned all of his ecclesiastic posts in order to marry and produce heirs to his lands.
Marriages and Issue
Bef. 1398 Albert married Elisabeth (d. aft. 6 June 1403), daughter of Gebhard III, Count of Mansfeld. They had six children:- Adolph I, Prince of Anhalt-KöthenAdolph I, Prince of Anhalt-KöthenAdolph I, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen....
(d. Zerbst, 28 August 1473). - Anna (d. bef. 13 June 1426), married in 1422 to William, Prince of Wenden and Lord of Werle.
- Lutrud (d. 4 June 1465), married on 14 October 1430 to John III, Duke of Mecklenburg-Stargard.
- William (d. young).
- Albert (d. 18 March 1413).
- Waldemar V, Prince of Anhalt-KöthenWaldemar V, Prince of Anhalt-KöthenWaldemar V, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen.He was the second son of Albert IV, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen, by his first wife Elisabeth, daughter of Gebhard III, Count of Mansfeld.-Life:Under the terms of the family...
(d. 1436).
Bef. 4 February 1419 Albert married for a second time to Elisabeth (d. 1452), daughter of Gebhard XI, Count of Querfurt and widow of Conrad (Kurt) of Hadmersleben, Lord of Egeln. They had three children:
- Albert VI, Prince of Anhalt-KöthenAlbert VI, Prince of Anhalt-KöthenAlbert VI, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen....
(d. 9 January 1475). - Sophie, married to Gunther VI of Barby, Count of Mühlingen.
- Dietburg (d. young).