Magnus, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Encyclopedia
Magnus, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen (1455 – 29 October 1524) was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen
.
He was the third (but eldest surviving) son of Adolph I, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
, by his wife Cordula, daughter of Albert III, Count of Lindau-Ruppin.
. This forced their father into a succession agreement with the Anhalt-Dessau
branch of the House of Ascania, headed at that time by George I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
.
Adolph I died in 1473 and was succeeded by his half-brother Albert VI
and Waldemar VI
of Anhalt-Dessau. Fifteen months later Albert died to be succeeded by his only son Philip
. Magnus (already a Canon
of Magdeburg
) and his brother Adolph II also inherited Köthen; both used the title of "Lord of Zerbst" in allusion to the portion of the principality that was under their charge.
Without any interest in the government of the principality, Magnus' reign was nominal, but it was only in 1508 that he formally abdicated along with his brother Adolph II.
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 third (but eldest surviving) son of Adolph I, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Adolph I, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Adolph I, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen....
, by his wife Cordula, daughter of Albert III, Count of Lindau-Ruppin.
Life
By 1471 Magnus had made clear his intention to became a priest along with his youngers brothers William (who renounced his rights of succession) and Adolph IIAdolph II, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Adolph II, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen...
. This forced their father into a succession agreement with the 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...
branch of the House of Ascania, headed at that time by George I, Prince 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....
.
Adolph I died in 1473 and was succeeded by his half-brother Albert VI
Albert VI, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Albert VI, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen....
and Waldemar VI
Waldemar VI, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Waldemar VI, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen....
of Anhalt-Dessau. Fifteen months later Albert died to be succeeded by his only son Philip
Philip, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Philip, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen....
. Magnus (already a Canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
of Magdeburg
Magdeburg
Magdeburg , is the largest city and the capital city of the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Magdeburg is situated on the Elbe River and was one of the most important medieval cities of Europe....
) and his brother Adolph II also inherited Köthen; both used the title of "Lord of Zerbst" in allusion to the portion of the principality that was under their charge.
Without any interest in the government of the principality, Magnus' reign was nominal, but it was only in 1508 that he formally abdicated along with his brother Adolph II.