Adolph II, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Encyclopedia
Adolph II, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen (16 October 1458 – Merseburg
, 24 March 1526), was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen
. A Roman Catholic Bishop of Merseburg, he remained until his death a staunch opponent of Martin Luther
.
He was the fifth and youngest son of Adolph I, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
, by his wife Cordula, daughter of Albert III, Count of Lindau-Ruppin.
and in 1475 was elected Rector
. Because he and his brothers had decided to become priests, their father Adolph I drew up a succession contract with the Anhalt-Dessau branch of the House of Ascania, headed by George I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
, to secure the existence of the principality. The contract stipulated that Adolph I would rule jointly with George's son Waldemar VI
, and that Adolph I's half-brother Albert VI
was to become co-ruler with Waldemar after Adolph's death. Upon the death of Albert VI, Adolph II and his brother Magnus
succeeded their uncle as co-rulers of Anhalt-Köthen with their cousins Philip and Waldemar VI. Adolph used the title "Lord of Zerbst" to identify the portion of the principality in which he resided. Despite his spiritual office, Adolph participated in the government of his principality for several years; only in 1508 did he formally renounce his rights along with this brother Magnus.
In 1488 Adolph II became Provost
of Magdeburg Cathedral, then was ordained as a priest two years later (in 1490). In 1507 was accepted by Bishop Thilo of Merseburg as his Coadjutor
and succeeded him in 1514 as Bishop of Merseburg.
His administration over the Bishopric of Merseburg was prudent and kind. Besides his administrative duties, he also preached and taught. Although he fundamentally accepted the justification by faith doctrine proclaimed by Luther, he rejected all intervention in the existing Church order. In 1520 he ordered the burning of Luther's books and forbade the reading of the reformed Bible translation in 1522. In 1523 Adolph petitioned Duke George of Saxony
for the expulsion of the Lutheran minister Sebastian Fröschel from Leipzig
. On 3 May 1525 he was forced to flee after Protestant disturbances in Leipzig. Adolph died ten months later.
Merseburg
Merseburg 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....
, 24 March 1526), was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of 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....
. A Roman Catholic Bishop of Merseburg, he remained until his death a staunch opponent of Martin Luther
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
.
He was the fifth and youngest 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
In 1471 Adolph began his studies at the University of LeipzigUniversity of Leipzig
The University of Leipzig , located in Leipzig in the Free State of Saxony, Germany, is one of the oldest universities in the world and the second-oldest university in Germany...
and in 1475 was elected Rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
. Because he and his brothers had decided to become priests, their father Adolph I drew up a succession contract with the Anhalt-Dessau branch of the House of Ascania, headed 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....
, to secure the existence of the principality. The contract stipulated that Adolph I would rule jointly with George's son 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....
, and that Adolph I's 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....
was to become co-ruler with Waldemar after Adolph's death. Upon the death of Albert VI, Adolph II and his brother Magnus
Magnus, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Magnus, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen....
succeeded their uncle as co-rulers of Anhalt-Köthen with their cousins Philip and Waldemar VI. Adolph used the title "Lord of Zerbst" to identify the portion of the principality in which he resided. Despite his spiritual office, Adolph participated in the government of his principality for several years; only in 1508 did he formally renounce his rights along with this brother Magnus.
In 1488 Adolph II became Provost
Provost (religion)
A provost is a senior official in a number of Christian churches.-Historical Development:The word praepositus was originally applied to any ecclesiastical ruler or dignitary...
of Magdeburg Cathedral, then was ordained as a priest two years later (in 1490). In 1507 was accepted by Bishop Thilo of Merseburg as his Coadjutor
Coadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
and succeeded him in 1514 as Bishop of Merseburg.
His administration over the Bishopric of Merseburg was prudent and kind. Besides his administrative duties, he also preached and taught. Although he fundamentally accepted the justification by faith doctrine proclaimed by Luther, he rejected all intervention in the existing Church order. In 1520 he ordered the burning of Luther's books and forbade the reading of the reformed Bible translation in 1522. In 1523 Adolph petitioned Duke George of Saxony
George, Duke of Saxony
George the Bearded, Duke of Saxony , was duke of Saxony from 1500 to 1539.Duke George was a member of the Order of the Golden Fleece.-Early life:...
for the expulsion of the Lutheran minister Sebastian Fröschel from Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
. On 3 May 1525 he was forced to flee after Protestant disturbances in Leipzig. Adolph died ten months later.