Anhalt-Dessau

Anhalt-Dessau was a principality of the Holy Roman Empire and later a duchy of the German Confederation. Ruled by the House of Ascania, it was created in 1396 following the partition of the Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst, and finally merged into the re-united Duchy of Anhalt in 1863. The capital of the state was Dessau in present-day Saxony-Anhalt.

Principality (Duchy) of Anhalt-Dessau

Fürstentum (Herzogtum) Anhalt-Dessau  (German)
1396–1561

1603–1863
19th century flag of the Anhalt duchies
The Anhalt principalities, with Anhalt-Dessau in green
Status
CapitalDessau
GovernmentPrincipality
Historical eraMiddle Ages
• Partitioned from Anhalt-Zerbst
1396
• Partitioned to create A-Köthen
1471
• Partitioned to create A-Plötzkau and A-Zerbst

1544
• Annexed back to A-Zerbst (later: Anhalt)

1561–1603
• Raised to duchy
1807
• Merged with Anhalt-Köthen
1853
• Duchy of Anhalt reunited
1863
Preceded by		Succeeded by
Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst
Duchy of Anhalt
Today part of Germany

History
Johannbau, preserved west wing of Dessau Castle

The Principality of Anhalt arose in 1212 under its first ruler Henry I, son of the Saxon duke Bernhard III. Named after Anhalt Castle, the ancestral seat of the Ascanian dynasty near Harzgerode, the principality experienced a number of partitions throughout its centuries-long existence.

Anhalt after being divided among the sons of Henry I, 1259

The Anhalt territory was divided among the sons of Prince Henry I into the principalities of Anhalt-Aschersleben, Anhalt-Bernburg and Anhalt-Zerbst in 1252. In the course of the partition, Prince Siegfried I, the youngest son of Henry I, received the lands around Köthen, Dessau, and Zerbst. His son and successor Prince Albert I took his residence at Köthen Castle in 1295. In 1396, the surviving sons of Prince John II of Anhalt-Zerbst again divided their heritage. The elder Sigismund I became Prince of Anhalt-Dessau and took his residence at Dessau, while his younger brother Albert IV went on to rule as Prince of Anhalt-Köthen.

Upon the death of Sigismund's son Prince George I of Anhalt-Dessau in 1474, the principality was again divided with Anhalt-Köthen. Anhalt-Dessau was partitioned for a second time in 1544 with Anhalt-Zerbst and Anhalt-Plötzkau being created. From 1561 until 1603 Anhalt-Dessau was under the rule of the Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, and in 1603 Anhalt-Dessau was recreated, being raised to a duchy in 1807.

Anhalt-Köthen became extinct on the death of the Duke of Anhalt-Köthen, 23 November 1847, and its territories were united to Anhalt-Dessau by Patent of 22 May 1853.[1] Following the death of the last Duke of Anhalt-Bernburg on 19 August 1863, all of the Anhalt lands came under the rule of the Duke of Anhalt-Dessau who then took the new title of Duke of Anhalt for the newly created Duchy of Anhalt.[1]

Rulers of Anhalt-Dessau
Coat of arms of Anhalt-Dessau-Köthen according to Siebmachers Wappenbuch

Princes (1396–1561)

To Anhalt-Zerbst 1561.

Princes (1603–1807)

Raised to Duchy 1807.

Dukes (1807–1863)

Renamed Duchy of Anhalt 1863.

Notes
  1. Hertslet 1875, p. 245.

References
  • Regnal chronology
  • Hertslet, Edward (1875), The map of Europe by treaty; showing the various political and territorial changes which have taken place since the general peace of 1814, London: Butterworths
  • Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Anhalt" . Encyclopædia Britannica. 2 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 44–46.
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