Sigismund I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
Encyclopedia
Sigismund I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau (d. Coswig
, 19 January 1405), 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
.
He was the eldest 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, Sigismund and Albert became the sole co-rulers.
Five years later, in 1396, both brothers decided to settle upon a formal division of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst. Sigismund assumed the title "Lord of Zerbst," but established the town of Dessau
as his main residence and capital of his newly-created principality of Anhalt-Dessau.
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...
, 19 January 1405), 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-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...
.
He was the eldest 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, Sigismund inherited the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst jointly with his brothers Albert IVAlbert IV, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Albert IV, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen , 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....
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, Sigismund and Albert became the sole co-rulers.
Five years later, in 1396, both brothers decided to settle upon a formal division of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst. Sigismund assumed the title "Lord of Zerbst," but established the town of Dessau
Dessau
Dessau is a town in Germany on the junction of the rivers Mulde and Elbe, in the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt. Since 1 July 2007, it is part of the merged town Dessau-Roßlau. Population of Dessau proper: 77,973 .-Geography:...
as his main residence and capital of his newly-created principality of Anhalt-Dessau.
Marriage and issue
In 1386, Sigismund married Judith (d. aft. 1411), daughter of Gebhard XI, Count of Querfurt. They had eleven children:- Sophie (d. 1419), married bef. 6 June 1415 to Burkhard IV of Barby, Count of Mühlingen.
- Elisabeth (d. aft. 19 November 1413), married bef. 1402 to Albert II, Count of Mansfeld.
- Anna (d. young)
- Margareta (d. young)
- Waldemar IV, Prince of Anhalt-DessauWaldemar IV, Prince of Anhalt-DessauWaldemar IV, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Dessau....
(d. aft. 22 July 1417). - George I, Prince of Anhalt-DessauGeorge I, Prince of Anhalt-DessauGeorge I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Dessau....
(b. ca. 1390 - d. Dessau, 21 September 1474). - Matilda (b. 1392 - d. 1463), Abbess of GernrodeGernrodeGernrode is a town and a former municipality in Germany, in the district of Harz, Saxony-Anhalt. The town was first mentioned in 961 and became a city in 1539. Since 1 January 2011, it is part of the town Quedlinburg...
(1439). - John (IV) (d. Dessau, 1455), a canon in MerseburgMerseburgMerseburg is a town in the south of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt on the river Saale, approx. 14 km south of Halle . It is the capital of the Saalekreis district. It had a diocese founded by Archbishop Adalbert of Magdeburg....
, Provost of Merseburg. - Sigismund II, Prince of Anhalt-DessauSigismund II, Prince of Anhalt-DessauSigismund II, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Dessau....
(d. 22 May 1452). - Albert V, Prince of Anhalt-DessauAlbert V, Prince of Anhalt-DessauAlbert V, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Dessau.He was the fifth son of Sigismund I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau, by his wife Judith, daughter of Gebhard XI, Count of Querfurt.-Life:After the death of his father in 1405,...
(d. ca. 1469). - Ernest (d. aft. 22 October 1405).