George II, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau - Life

Life

After the death of his father in 1474, George inherited Anhalt-Dessau alongside his older brothers Ernest I and Sigismund III and his younger brother Rudolph IV. Following the family law of the House of Ascania, this did not involve a division of the territories within the principality.

During life of his father, George was made "Mitherr" (co-ruler) of Köthen (1471) alongside his elder half-brother Waldemar VI, but soon resigned in Waldemar's favor. In 1480 he was made "Lord of Hoym and Wörlitz" and appointed "Pfandherr of Crossen, Cottbus and Peitz," a post he held until 1508.

In 1478 George married Agnes (ca. 1434 – Bernburg, 9 May 1512), daughter of Barnim VIII, Duke of Pomerania, and widow of Frederick of Altmark, son of Frederick I, Elector of Brandenburg. She was almost twenty years his senior and their union was childless, although some sources assert the existence of a child who was either stillborn or died shortly after the birth.

On his death, George was succeeded by his surviving brothers and co-rulers Ernest I and Rudolph IV.

Preceded by
George I
Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
with Ernest I, Sigismund III (until 1487) and Rudolph IV

1474–1509
Succeeded by
Ernest I and Rudolph IV
Persondata
Name George II, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth 1454
Place of birth
Date of death 25 April 1509
Place of death

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