Sigismund III, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau (1456 - 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:...

, 27 November 1487), was a German prince of the House of Ascania and 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...

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He was the fourth son of 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....

, as third-born child of his fourth wife Anna, daughter of Albert VIII, Count of Lindau-Ruppin.

Life

In 1474 Sigismund succeeded his father in the principality of Anhalt-Dessau, but, by virtue of the family law of the House of Ascania, he had to rule jointly with his older brother Ernest I

Ernest I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau

Ernest I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Dessau....

 and his younger brothers George II

George II, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau

George II, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Dessau....

 and Rudolph IV

Rudolph IV, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau

Rudolph IV, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Dessau....

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Sigismund never married or had children; on his death, he was succeeded by his brothers and co-rulers.