Joachim Ernest, Prince of Anhalt
Encyclopedia
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:...
, 21 October 1536 – 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:...
, 6 December 1586), was a German prince of the House of Ascania, 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 :...
, and from 1570 sole ruler of all the Anhalt
Anhalt
Anhalt was a sovereign county in Germany, located between the Harz Mountains and the river Elbe in Middle Germany. It now forms part of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.- Dukes of Anhalt :...
lands.
He was the second son of John V, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst
John V, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst
John V of Anhalt-Zerbst , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Dessau...
, by his wife Margaret
Margaret of Brandenburg (1511–1577)
Margaret of Brandenburg was a Princess of Brandenburg by birth and by marrying first a Duchess of Pomerania and later a Princess of Anhalt.- Life :...
, daughter of Joachim I Nestor, Elector of Brandenburg.
Life
Joachim Ernest received an extensive education under the supervision of his father. On 1 February 1549, just thirteen years of age, he was officially admitted to the University of Wittenberg, where, among others, he studied with the theologian Georg Helt. In 1550, after the death of his father, he inherited Anhalt-ZerbstAnhalt-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 :...
along with his older brother Karl I
Karl I, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst
Karl I of Anhalt-Zerbst , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst....
and his younger brother Bernhard VII
Bernhard VII, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst
Bernhard VII of Anhalt-Zerbst , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst....
.
The death of his uncle George III
George III, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
George III, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Dessau...
without male heirs permitted him and his brothers, Karl I and Bernhard VII, to inherit Anhalt-Plötzkau in 1553, while the death of his uncle Joachim I
Joachim I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
Joachim I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Dessau...
permitted him and his surviving brother Bernhard VII to inherit 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...
in 1561. In 1562 his cousin Wolfgang
Wolfgang, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Wolfgang, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen...
abdicated 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....
in his favor.
Joachim Ernest was a typical Renaissance monarch who generously supported the arts and culture. He sent his sons with their tutors on educational journeys across Europe. Also, he ordered the son of his chancellor, Tobias Hübner, to create a description of the famous knight's games (German: Ritterspiele) that took place at the Dessau court.
In 1570 the death of his last surviving brother, Bernhard VII, left him as sole ruler of all the Anhalt states, which were finally unified for the first time since their first partition in 1252. Joachim Ernest made 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:...
the seat of his government. In 1572 he created in the Regional Legal Code of Anhalt (German: Landesverordnung Anhalts) and in 1582 he founded the Francisceum High School (German: Gymnasium Francisceum) in Zerbst
Zerbst
Zerbst is a town in the district of Anhalt-Bitterfeld, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Until the administrative reform of 2007, Zerbst was the capital of the Anhalt-Zerbst district. Since the 1 January 2010 local government reform, Zerbst has about 24,000 inhabitants.It is not clear when was it founded;...
. He was a fervent supporter of the Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
and the Huguenots.
Since succession in the territories of Anhalt was not governed by the rules of primogeniture
Primogeniture
Primogeniture is the right, by law or custom, of the firstborn to inherit the entire estate, to the exclusion of younger siblings . Historically, the term implied male primogeniture, to the exclusion of females...
, Joachim Ernest's seven sons shared rule of the territories of Anhalt until 1603, when the five surviving sons divided their lands among themselves.
Marriages and Issue
In BarbyBarby
-Places:England*Barby, Northamptonshire, a village in EnglandGermany*Barby, Germany, a town in Saxony-Anhalt, GermanyFrance*Barby, Ardennes, a village in Champagne-Ardennes, France*Barby, Savoie, a village in Rhône-Alpes, France...
on 3 March 1560 Joachim Ernest married Agnes (b. Barby
Barby
-Places:England*Barby, Northamptonshire, a village in EnglandGermany*Barby, Germany, a town in Saxony-Anhalt, GermanyFrance*Barby, Ardennes, a village in Champagne-Ardennes, France*Barby, Savoie, a village in Rhône-Alpes, France...
, 23 June 1540 - d. Bernburg
Bernburg
Bernburg is a town in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, capital of the district of Salzlandkreis. It is situated on the river Saale, approx. 30 km downstream from Halle. The town is dominated by its huge Renaissance castle featuring a museum as well as a popular, recently updated bear pit in its...
, 27 November 1569), daughter of Wolfgang I, Count of Barby-Mühlingen. They had six children:
- Anna MariaAnna Maria of AnhaltAnna Maria of Anhalt , was by birth a member of the House of Ascania and a princess of Anhalt. After her marriage, she was Duchess of Legnica-Brzeg-Oława-Wołów....
(b. Zerbst, 13 June 1561 - d. BrzegBrzegBrzeg is a town in southwestern Poland with 38,496 inhabitants , situated in Silesia in the Opole Voivodeship on the left bank of the Oder...
, 14 November 1605), married on 19 May 1577 to Joachim Frederick, Duke of Legnica-Brzeg-Oława-WołówJoachim Frederick of BriegJoachim Frederick of Brieg Joachim Frederick of Brieg Joachim Frederick of Brieg , , was a Duke of Oława and Wołów and Brzeg and Legnica ....
. - Agnes (b. Zerbst, 16 September 1562 - d. Bernburg, 4 June 1564).
- Elisabeth (b. Zerbst, 25 September 1563 - d. CrossenCrossenCrossen may refer to:* Crossen an der Elster, municipality in Thuringia, Germany* Zwickau-Crossen, part of Zwickau in Saxony, Germany* Crossen , German name of Krosno Odrzańskie, Poland* part of the municipality Erlau in Saxony, Germany...
, 5 October 1607), married on 19 May 1577 to John George, Elector of BrandenburgJohn George, Elector of BrandenburgJohn George of Brandenburg was a Prince-elector of the Margraviate of Brandenburg and a Duke of Prussia...
. - SibyllaSibylla of AnhaltSibylla of Anhalt was an Ascanian princess of Anhalt who became Duchess of Württemberg by marriage to Duke Frederick I. She was the fourth daughter of Joachim Ernest, Prince of Anhalt, by his first wife Agnes, daughter of Wolfgang I, Count of Barby-Mühlingen.-Life:Sibylla was born in Bernburg in...
(b. Bernburg, 28 September 1564 - d. LeonbergLeonbergLeonberg is a town in the German federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg about 10 miles to the west of Stuttgart, the state capital. Approximately 45,000 people live in Leonberg, making it the third biggest borough in the rural district of Böblingen .Leonberg is most famous for its picturesque market...
, 26 October 1614), married on 22 May 1581 to Frederick I, Duke of WürttembergFrederick I, Duke of WürttembergFriedrich I of Württemberg was the son of Georg of Mömpelgard and his wife Barbara of Hesse, daughter of Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse....
. - John George I, Prince of AnhaltJohn George I, Prince of Anhalt-DessauJohn George I of Anhalt-Dessau was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the unified principality of Anhalt...
, later Anhalt-DessauAnhalt-DessauAnhalt-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...
(b. HarzgerodeHarzgerodeHarzgerode is a town in the district of Harz in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.-Geography:Its localities include:*Harzgerode*Alexisbad*Dankerode*Güntersberge*Königerode*Mägdesprung*Neudorf*Schielo*Silberhütte*Siptenfelde*Straßberg...
, 9 May 1567 - d. Dessau, 24 May 1618). - Christian I, Prince of Anhalt, later Anhalt-BernburgAnhalt-BernburgAnhalt-Bernburg was a principality of the Holy Roman Empire and a duchy of the German Confederation ruled by the House of Ascania with its residence at Bernburg in present-day Saxony-Anhalt...
(b. Bernburg, 11 May 1568 - d. Bernburg, 17 April 1630).
In Stuttgart
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
on 9 January 1571 Joachim Ernest married for a second time to Eleonore (b. Tübingen
Tübingen
Tübingen is a traditional university town in central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated south of the state capital, Stuttgart, on a ridge between the Neckar and Ammer rivers.-Geography:...
, 22 March 1552 - d. Schloss Lichtenberg, 12 January 1618), daughter of Christoph, Duke of Württemberg
Christoph, Duke of Württemberg
Christoph of Württemberg, Duke of Württemberg ruled as Duke of Württemberg from 1550 until his death in 1568....
. They had ten children:
- Bernhard, Prince of Anhalt (b. Dessau, 25 September 1571 - d. Klosterhof bei Tyrnau, 24 November 1596).
- Agnes HedwigAgnes Hedwig of AnhaltAgnes Hedwig of Anhalt was a Princess of Anhalt by birth, an Abbess of Gernrode, and by marriage Electress of Saxony and later Duchess of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön....
(b. Dessau, 12 March 1573 - d. Sonderburg, 3 November 1616), married on 3 January 1586 to Augustus, Elector of SaxonyAugustus, Elector of SaxonyAugustus was Elector of Saxony from 1553 to 1586.-First years:Augustus was born in Freiberg, the youngest child and third son of Henry IV, Duke of Saxony, and Catherine of Mecklenburg. He consequently belonged to the Albertine branch of the Wettin family...
, and secondly on 14 February 1588 to John II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön. - Dorothea MariaDorothea Maria of AnhaltDorothea Maria of Anhalt , was by birth a member of the House of Ascania and princess of Anhalt...
(b. Dessau, 2 July 1574 - d. WeimarWeimarWeimar is a city in Germany famous for its cultural heritage. It is located in the federal state of Thuringia , north of the Thüringer Wald, east of Erfurt, and southwest of Halle and Leipzig. Its current population is approximately 65,000. The oldest record of the city dates from the year 899...
, 18 July 1617), married on 7 January 1593 to John II, Duke of Saxe-Weimar. - Augustus, Prince of AnhaltAugustus, Prince of Anhalt-PlötzkauAugustus of Anhalt-Plötzkau , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the unified principality of Anhalt...
, later Anhalt-Plötzkau (b. Dessau, 14 July 1575 - d. Plötzkau, 22 August 1653). - Rudolph, Prince of AnhaltRudolph, Prince of Anhalt-ZerbstRudolph of Anhalt-Zerbst , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the unified principality of Anhalt...
, later Anhalt-ZerbstPrincipality of Anhalt-ZerbstAnhalt-Zerbst was a principality located in Germany. It was established for the first time in 1252 following the partition of the principality of Anhalt. The capital of the state was located at Zerbst. Anhalt-Zerbst ceased to exist in 1396 when it was partitioned between Anhalt-Dessau and...
(b. Harzgerode, 28 October 1576 - d. Zerbst, 30 July 1621). - John Ernest, Prince of Anhalt (b. Dessau, 1 May 1578 - d. ViennaViennaVienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, 22 December 1601). - Louis, Prince of AnhaltLouis I, Prince of Anhalt-KöthenLouis I of Anhalt-Köthen , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the unified principality of Anhalt. From 1603, he was ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen...
, later Anhalt-KöthenAnhalt-KöthenAnhalt-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....
(b. Dessau, 17 June 1579 - d. Köthen, 7 January 1650). - Sabine (b. Dessau, 7 November 1580 - d. DarmstadtDarmstadtDarmstadt is a city in the Bundesland of Hesse in Germany, located in the southern part of the Rhine Main Area.The sandy soils in the Darmstadt area, ill-suited for agriculture in times before industrial fertilisation, prevented any larger settlement from developing, until the city became the seat...
, 28 March 1599). - Joachim Christoph (b. Dessau, 7 July 1582 - d. Dessau, 16 July 1583).
- Anna SophieAnna Sophie of AnhaltAnna Sophie of Anhalt was by birth a member of the House of Ascania and princess of Anhalt. After her marriage, she became Countess of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt....
(b. Dessau, 15 June 1584 - d. OberkranichfeldKranichfeldKranichfeld is a town in the Weimarer Land district, in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated on the river Ilm, 18 km southeast of Erfurt, and 16 km southwest of Weimar....
, 9 June 1652), married on 13 June 1613 to Karl Günther, Count of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt.