William Louis, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Encyclopedia
William Louis of Anhalt-Köthen (Köthen, 3 August 1638 – Köthen, 13 April 1665), was a German
prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen
.
He was the second son of Louis I, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
, but second-born son of his second wife Sophie, daughter of Simon VI, Count of Lippe
.
acted as regent; after his death in 1653, Augustus' sons Lebrecht
and Emmanuel
took over the regency until William was formally proclaimed of age in 1659.
In Köthen on 25 August 1663 William Louis married Elisabeth Charlotte (b. Harzgerode
, 11 February 1647 - d. Osterholm, 20 January 1723), daughter of his cousin Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Harzgerode
, and granddaughter of Christian I, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg. The union was childless.
On his death without issue, the line of Anhalt-Köthen became extinct. His principality was inherited by his cousins and former regents, Lebrecht and Emmanuel of Anhalt-Plötzkau, who took the name of Anhalt-Köthen as the principal title of their family. Their former principality of Plötzkau was given to Victor Amadeus
of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg
, from which it was originally extracted.
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
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....
.
He was the second son of Louis I, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Louis I, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Louis 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...
, but second-born son of his second wife Sophie, daughter of Simon VI, Count of Lippe
Simon VI, Count of Lippe
Count Simon VI of Lippe was an imperial count and ruler of the County of Lippe from 1563 until his death.- Life :...
.
Life
William Louis was only twelve years of age when he succeeded his father in Köthen in 1650. During his minority, his uncle Augustus of Anhalt-PlötzkauAugustus, Prince of Anhalt-Plötzkau
Augustus of Anhalt-Plötzkau , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the unified principality of Anhalt...
acted as regent; after his death in 1653, Augustus' sons Lebrecht
Lebrecht, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Lebrecht of Anhalt-Köthen , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Plötzkau...
and Emmanuel
Emmanuel, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Emmanuel of Anhalt-Köthen , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Plötzkau...
took over the regency until William was formally proclaimed of age in 1659.
In Köthen on 25 August 1663 William Louis married Elisabeth Charlotte (b. Harzgerode
Harzgerode
Harzgerode 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...
, 11 February 1647 - d. Osterholm, 20 January 1723), daughter of his cousin Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Harzgerode
Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Harzgerode
Frederick of Anhalt-Harzgerode , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and the first ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Harzgerode....
, and granddaughter of Christian I, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg. The union was childless.
On his death without issue, the line of Anhalt-Köthen became extinct. His principality was inherited by his cousins and former regents, Lebrecht and Emmanuel of Anhalt-Plötzkau, who took the name of Anhalt-Köthen as the principal title of their family. Their former principality of Plötzkau was given to Victor Amadeus
Victor Amadeus, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg
Victor Amadeus of Anhalt-Bernburg , was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg....
of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg
Anhalt-Bernburg
Anhalt-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...
, from which it was originally extracted.