Bernhard III, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg

Bernhard III, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg (d. 20 August 1348), was a German prince member of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg.

He was the eldest son of Bernhard II, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg by his wife Helena, daughter of Wizlaw II, Prince of Rügen.

Life

He succeeded his father in the government of Anhalt-Bernburg after his death in 1323. His two younger brothers renounced to his rights and became priests; for this Bernhard became in the sole ruler of Bernburg. Along with his princely title, he also used the styles of "Count of Askanien" and "Lord of Bernburg".

Marriages and Issue

In 1328 Bernhard married firstly with Agnes (b. ca. 1310 - d. 4 January 1338), daughter of Rudolf I, Elector of Saxony and Duke of Saxe-Wittemberg. Her paternal grandmother and namesake Agnes of Habsburg was a daughter of Rudolph I, Holy Roman Emperor. In addition, both spouses are third cousins: Agnes's great-grandfather Albert I, Duke of Saxony was a brother of Henry I, Count of Anhalt, Bernhard's great-grandfather. They had five children:
#Bernhard IV, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg (d. 28 June 1354).
#Katharina (b. ca. 1330 - d. 30 January 1390), married firstly on 6 October 1356 to Magnus II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and secondly on 11 May 1374 to Albert III, Duke of Saxe-Wittenberg.
#Henry IV, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg (d. 7 July 1374).
#Albert (d. 1 August 1336).
#Sophie (d. 18 December 1362), married on 12 March 1346 to William II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg.

In 1339 Bernhard married secondly with Matilda (d. ca. 1342) daughter of Albert I, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst. This time, Bernhard was more closely related with his bride: Matilda's grandfather was Siegfried I, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, younger brother of Bernhard I, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg, Bernhard's grandfather; in consecuence, they are second cousins. The marriage was childless.

In ca. 1343, Bernhard married thirdly with ahother Matilda (d. aft. 28 June 1354), daughter of Magnus I, Duke of Brunswick-Göttingen. Again, Bernhard was related with a wife: Through her mother Sophie of Brandenburg, Matilda was a great-great-great-granddaughter of Otto I, Margrave of Brandenburg, older brother of Bernhard, Count of Anhalt, Bernhard's great-great-great-grandfather. They had two children:
#Otto III, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg (d. 27 February 1404).
#Gertrude, married bef. 12 August 1371 to Günther XII, Count of Schwarzburg.