Anhalt-Bernburg
Encyclopedia
Anhalt-Bernburg was a principality of the Holy Roman Empire
and a duchy of the German Confederation
ruled by the House of Ascania with its residence at Bernburg
in present-day Saxony-Anhalt
. It emerged as a subdivision from Anhalt
from 1252 to 1468 and again from 1603 until the re-unification in 1863.
It was created in 1252, when the Principality of Anhalt was partitioned among the sons of Henry I
into Anhalt-Aschersleben, Anhalt-Bernburg and Anhalt-Zerbst
. Bernburg was allotted to Henry's second son Bernhard I
. When the line of Anhalt-Aschersleben became extinct in 1315, Prince Bernhard II of Anhalt-Bernburg
claimed their territory, he could however not prevail against his cousin Albert, Bishop of Halberstadt
. After the ruling family became extinct upon the death of Prince Bernhard VI
in 1468, Anhalt-Bernburg was inherited by Prince George I of Anhalt-Dessau
. With Anhalt-Dessau
it was inherited by Prince Joachim Ernest of Anhalt-Zerbst
in 1561, who unified all Anhalt lands under his rule in 1570.
Re-united Anhalt was again divided in 1603 among Prince Joachim Ernest's sons into the lines of Anhalt-Dessau, Anhalt-Köthen
, Anhalt-Plötzkau, Anhalt-Bernburg and Anhalt-Zerbst
. His second son Prince Christian I took his residence at Bernburg. Christian's younger son Frederick
established the separate Principality of Anhalt-Harzgerode
in 1635, which existed until 1709. Prince Victor Amadeus of Anhalt-Bernburg
inherited Anhalt-Plötzkau in 1665. Upon his death in 1718 his lands were further divided and the Principality of Anhalt-Zeitz-Hoym
was created for his second son Lebrecht
, which was reunited with Anhalt-Bernburg in 1812.
In 1803 Prince Alexius Frederick Christian of Anhalt-Bernburg
was elevated to the rank of a duke by Emperor Francis II of Habsburg
. His son Duke Alexander Karl
however died without issue in 1863, whereafter Anhalt-Bernburg was inherited by Duke Leopold IV of Anhalt-Dessau
, re-uniting all Anhalt lands under his rule.
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
and a duchy of the German Confederation
German Confederation
The German Confederation was the loose association of Central European states created by the Congress of Vienna in 1815 to coordinate the economies of separate German-speaking countries. It acted as a buffer between the powerful states of Austria and Prussia...
ruled by the House of Ascania with its residence at Bernburg
Bernburg
Bernburg is a town in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, capital of the district of Salzlandkreis. It is situated on the river Saale, approx. 30 km downstream from Halle. The town is dominated by its huge Renaissance castle featuring a museum as well as a popular, recently updated bear pit in its...
in present-day Saxony-Anhalt
Saxony-Anhalt
Saxony-Anhalt is a landlocked state of Germany. Its capital is Magdeburg and it is surrounded by the German states of Lower Saxony, Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia.Saxony-Anhalt covers an area of...
. It emerged as a subdivision from Anhalt
Anhalt
Anhalt was a sovereign county in Germany, located between the Harz Mountains and the river Elbe in Middle Germany. It now forms part of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.- Dukes of Anhalt :...
from 1252 to 1468 and again from 1603 until the re-unification in 1863.
It was created in 1252, when the Principality of Anhalt was partitioned among the sons of Henry I
Henry I, Count of Anhalt
Henry I, Count of Anhalt was a German prince of the House of Ascania and Count of Anhalt.He was the oldest son of Bernhard III, Duke of Saxony and Count of Anhalt, by his wife Brigitte a daughter of Canute V of Denmark....
into Anhalt-Aschersleben, Anhalt-Bernburg and Anhalt-Zerbst
Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst
Anhalt-Zerbst was a principality located in Germany. It was established for the first time in 1252 following the partition of the principality of Anhalt. The capital of the state was located at Zerbst. Anhalt-Zerbst ceased to exist in 1396 when it was partitioned between Anhalt-Dessau and...
. Bernburg was allotted to Henry's second son Bernhard I
Bernhard I, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg
Bernhard I, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg....
. When the line of Anhalt-Aschersleben became extinct in 1315, Prince Bernhard II of Anhalt-Bernburg
Bernhard II, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg
Bernhard II, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg....
claimed their territory, he could however not prevail against his cousin Albert, Bishop of Halberstadt
Bishopric of Halberstadt
The Bishopric of Halberstadt was a Roman Catholic diocese from 804 until 1648 and an ecclesiastical state of the Holy Roman Empire from the late Middle Ages...
. After the ruling family became extinct upon the death of Prince Bernhard VI
Bernhard VI, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg
Bernhard VI, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the Principality of Anhalt-Bernburg.He was the eldest son of Otto III, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg, by his first unknown wife.-Life:...
in 1468, Anhalt-Bernburg was inherited by Prince George I of Anhalt-Dessau
George I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
George I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Dessau....
. With Anhalt-Dessau
Anhalt-Dessau
Anhalt-Dessau was a principality and later a duchy located in Germany. It was created in 1396 following the partition of the Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst. The capital of the state was Dessau. Anhalt-Dessau experienced a number of partitions throughout its existence with Anhalt-Köthen being...
it was inherited by Prince Joachim Ernest of Anhalt-Zerbst
Joachim Ernest, Prince of Anhalt
Joachim Ernest of Anhalt , was a German prince of the House of Ascania, ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst, and from 1570 sole ruler of all the Anhalt lands....
in 1561, who unified all Anhalt lands under his rule in 1570.
Re-united Anhalt was again divided in 1603 among Prince Joachim Ernest's sons into the lines of Anhalt-Dessau, 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....
, Anhalt-Plötzkau, Anhalt-Bernburg and Anhalt-Zerbst
Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst
Anhalt-Zerbst was a principality located in Germany. It was established for the first time in 1252 following the partition of the principality of Anhalt. The capital of the state was located at Zerbst. Anhalt-Zerbst ceased to exist in 1396 when it was partitioned between Anhalt-Dessau and...
. His second son Prince Christian I took his residence at Bernburg. Christian's younger son Frederick
Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Harzgerode
Frederick of Anhalt-Harzgerode , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and the first ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Harzgerode....
established the separate Principality of Anhalt-Harzgerode
Anhalt-Harzgerode
Anhalt-Harzgerode was a principality and member of the Holy Roman Empire. It was created in 1635 following the partition of Anhalt-Bernburg with Frederick, a younger son of Christian I becoming the reigning prince...
in 1635, which existed until 1709. Prince Victor Amadeus of Anhalt-Bernburg
Victor Amadeus, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg
Victor Amadeus of Anhalt-Bernburg , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg....
inherited Anhalt-Plötzkau in 1665. Upon his death in 1718 his lands were further divided and the Principality of Anhalt-Zeitz-Hoym
Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym
Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym was a German principality and member of the Holy Roman Empire. The death of Prince Victor Amadeus of Anhalt-Bernburg in 1718, resulted in the partition of his land with his second son Lebrecht inheriting what was originally known as Anhalt-Zeitz-Hoym.The name of the...
was created for his second son Lebrecht
Lebrecht, Prince of Anhalt-Zeitz-Hoym
Lebrecht of Anhalt-Zeitz-Hoym , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and the first ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Zeitz-Hoym ....
, which was reunited with Anhalt-Bernburg in 1812.
In 1803 Prince Alexius Frederick Christian of Anhalt-Bernburg
Alexius Frederick Christian, Duke of Anhalt-Bernburg
Alexius Frederick Christian of Anhalt-Bernburg , was a German prince of the House of Ascania, ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg, and from 1807 the first "Duke of Anhalt-Bernburg."...
was elevated to the rank of a duke by Emperor Francis II of Habsburg
Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor
Francis II was the last Holy Roman Emperor, ruling from 1792 until 6 August 1806, when he dissolved the Empire after the disastrous defeat of the Third Coalition by Napoleon at the Battle of Austerlitz...
. His son Duke Alexander Karl
Alexander Karl, Duke of Anhalt-Bernburg
Alexander Karl, Duke of Anhalt-Bernburg , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and the last ruler of the duchy of Anhalt-Bernburg....
however died without issue in 1863, whereafter Anhalt-Bernburg was inherited by Duke Leopold IV of Anhalt-Dessau
Leopold IV, Duke of Anhalt
Leopold IV Frederick, Duke of Anhalt was a German prince of the House of Ascania.From 1817 until 1853 he was ruler of the duchy of Anhalt-Dessau and from 1847 until 1853 also ruler of the duchy of Anhalt-Köthen...
, re-uniting all Anhalt lands under his rule.
Princes of Anhalt-Bernburg 1252–1468
- 1252–1287 Bernhard IBernhard I, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgBernhard I, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg....
- 1287–1291 John IJohn I, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgJohn I, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg....
, son, co-regent with his brother- 1287–1323 Bernhard IIBernhard II, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgBernhard II, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg....
- 1287–1323 Bernhard II
- 1323–1348 Bernhard IIIBernhard III, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgBernhard III, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg....
, son of Bernhard II - 1348–1354 Bernhard IVBernhard IV, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgBernhard IV, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg....
, son - 1354–1374 Henry IVHenry IV, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgHenry IV, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg....
, brother - 1374–1404 Otto IIIOtto III, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgOtto III, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg....
, brother - 1404–1420 Bernhard VBernhard V, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgBernhard V, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg....
, son of Henry IV, co-regent with his cousin- 1404–1415 Otto IVOtto IV, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgOtto IV, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg.He was the youngest son of Otto III, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg, by his unknown first wife.-Life:...
, son of Otto III
- 1404–1415 Otto IV
- 1420–1468 Bernhard VIBernhard VI, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgBernhard VI, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the Principality of Anhalt-Bernburg.He was the eldest son of Otto III, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg, by his first unknown wife.-Life:...
, brother of Otto IV, left no male heirs
- To Anhalt-DessauAnhalt-DessauAnhalt-Dessau was a principality and later a duchy located in Germany. It was created in 1396 following the partition of the Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst. The capital of the state was Dessau. Anhalt-Dessau experienced a number of partitions throughout its existence with Anhalt-Köthen being...
Princes of Anhalt-Bernburg 1603–1807
- 1603–1630 Christian I, second son of Prince Joachim Ernest of AnhaltJoachim Ernest, Prince of AnhaltJoachim Ernest of Anhalt , was a German prince of the House of Ascania, ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst, and from 1570 sole ruler of all the Anhalt lands....
- 1630–1656 Christian IIChristian II, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgChristian II of Anhalt-Bernburg , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg....
, son - 1656–1718 Victor AmadeusVictor Amadeus, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgVictor Amadeus of Anhalt-Bernburg , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg....
, son - 1718–1721 Karl FrederickKarl Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgKarl Frederick of Anhalt-Bernburg , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg....
, son - 1721–1765 Victor FrederickVictor Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgVictor Frederick of Anhalt-Bernburg , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg....
, son - 1765–1796 Frederick AlbertFrederick Albert, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgFrederick Albert of Anhalt-Bernburg , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg....
, son - 1796–1803 Alexius Frederick ChristianAlexius Frederick Christian, Duke of Anhalt-BernburgAlexius Frederick Christian of Anhalt-Bernburg , was a German prince of the House of Ascania, ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg, and from 1807 the first "Duke of Anhalt-Bernburg."...
, son
- Raised to duchy
Dukes of Anhalt-Bernburg 1803–1863
- 1803–1834 Alexius Frederick ChristianAlexius Frederick Christian, Duke of Anhalt-BernburgAlexius Frederick Christian of Anhalt-Bernburg , was a German prince of the House of Ascania, ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg, and from 1807 the first "Duke of Anhalt-Bernburg."...
- 1834–1863 Alexander KarlAlexander Karl, Duke of Anhalt-BernburgAlexander Karl, Duke of Anhalt-Bernburg , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and the last ruler of the duchy of Anhalt-Bernburg....
, son, died without issue
- To re-united AnhaltAnhaltAnhalt was a sovereign county in Germany, located between the Harz Mountains and the river Elbe in Middle Germany. It now forms part of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.- Dukes of Anhalt :...