Anhalt-Dessau

Principality (Duchy) of Anhalt-Dessau Fürstentum (Herzogtum) Anhalt-Dessau
State of the Holy Roman Empire (until 1806)
← 1396–1561 1603–1863 →
Flag Coat of arms
Anhalt-Dessau (orange)
Capital	Dessau
Government	Principality
Historical era	Middle Ages
- Partitioned from     Anhalt-Zerbst	1396
- Partitioned to create     Anhalt-Köthen	1471
- Partitioned to create     A-Plötzkau and A-Zerbst	1544
- Annexed back to     A-Zerbst (later: Anhalt)	1561–1603
- Raised to duchy	1807
- Merged with     Anhalt-Köthen	1853
- Duchy of Anhalt reunited	1863
Today part of	Germany

Coat of arms of Anhalt-Dessau-Cöthen according to Siebmacher’s Wappenbuch

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 created in 1471. The principality was partitioned for a second time in 1544 with Anhalt-Zerbst, Anhalt-Plötzkau being created. From 1561 until 1603 Anhalt-Dessau was under the rule of the Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, and in 1603 Anhalt-Dessau was recreated and it was raised to a duchy in 1807.

Following the death of the last Duke of Anhalt-Bernburg in 1863 all of the Anhalt lands came under the rule of the Duke of Anhalt-Dessau who then took the new title of Duke of Anhalt for the newly created Duchy of Anhalt.

Princes of Anhalt-Dessau 1396-1561

• Sigismund I 1396–1405
• Waldemar IV 1405–1417 (co-regent)
• Sigismund II 1405–1452 (co-regent)
• Albert V 1405–1469 (co-regent)
• George I 1405–1474
• Ernest I 1474–1516
• George II 1474–1509 (co-regent)
• Sigismund III 1474–1487 (co-regent)
• Rudolph IV 1474–1510 (co-regent)
• John V 1516–1544 (co-regent)
• George III 1516–1544 (co-regent)
• Joachim I 1516–1561

To Anhalt-Zerbst 1561.

Princes of Anhalt-Dessau 1603-1807

• John George I 1603–1618
• John Casimir 1618–1660
• John George II 1660–1693
  • Henriette Katharina of Orange-Nassau regent 1693-1697
• Leopold I 1693–1747
• Leopold II 1747–1751
  • Prince Dietrich regent 1751-1758
• Leopold III 1751–1807

Raised to Duchy 1807.

Dukes of Anhalt-Dessau 1807-1863

• Leopold III 1807–1817
• Leopold IV 1817–1863

Renamed Duchy of Anhalt 1863.

References

• Regnal chronology