Bernhard VII, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst
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| Bernard VII | |
|---|---|
| Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst | |
| Reign | 1551–1570 |
| Predecessor | John V |
| Successor | Joachim Ernest |
| Prince of Anhalt-Plötzkau | |
| Reign | 1553–1570 |
| Predecessor | George III |
| Successor | Joachim Ernest |
| Prince of Anhalt-Dessau | |
| Reign | 1561–1570 |
| Predecessor | Joachim I |
| Successor | Joachim Ernest |
| Prince of Anhalt-Köthen | |
| Reign | 1562–1570 |
| Predecessor | Wolfgang |
| Successor | Joachim Ernest |
| Born | 17 March 1540 Dessau, Germany |
| Died | 1 March 1570 (aged 29) Dessau, Germany |
| Spouse |
Clara of Gifhorn (m. 1565) |
| Issue | Franz George |
| House | House of Ascania |
| Father | John V, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst |
| Mother | Margaret of Brandenburg |
Bernhard VII of Anhalt-Zerbst (17 March 1540 – 1 March 1570), was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst.
He was born and died in Dessau, and was the third and youngest son of John V, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst by his wife Margaret, daughter of Joachim I Nestor, Elector of Brandenburg.
Life[edit]
Bernhard inherited Anhalt-Zerbst when his father died in 1551 along with his older brothers Karl I and Joachim Ernest according to the stipulations of the family law of the House of Ascania, which mandated no division of the territories of the principality.[1]
Upon the deaths without issue of his uncles George III of Anhalt-Plötzkau in 1553 and Joachim I of Anhalt-Dessau in 1561, Bernhard and Joachim Ernest inherited their lands, which were merged into Anhalt-Zerbst (Karl only inherited Plötzkau, because he died before Joachim I). In 1562 Anhalt-Köthen was also merged into Anhalt-Zerbst after the death without issue of its last prince, Wolfgang. Bernhard made his residence in Dessau.
Marriage and issue[edit]
In Dessau on 28 May 1565 Bernhard married Clara (b. Gifhorn, 1 January 1550 – d. Franzburg, 26 January 1598), posthumous daughter of Francis, Duke of Gifhorn. They had only one son:
- Franz George (b. 17 October 1567 – d. Zerbst, 7 September 1568).
Bernhard died without surviving male heirs and was succeeded by his brother Joachim Ernest, who became sole ruler of all the Anhalt territories.
References[edit]
- ^ Swaffham.), George Fisher (of (1832). A Companion and Key to the History of England: Consisting of Copious Genealogical Details of the British Sovereigns ... with an Appendix, Exhibiting a Chronological Epitome of the Successive Holders of the Several Titles of the British, Saxon, and English Nobility ... with ... Their Armorial Bearings ... Simpkin and Marshall.
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