John II, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst

John II, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst (d. 11 April 1382), was a German prince member of the House of Ascania and ruler of the Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst.

He was the youngest son of Albert II, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst by his second wife Beatrix, daughter of Rudolf I, Elector of Saxony and Duke of Saxe-Wittemberg.

Life

The death of his older brother Albert III (1359) made him the sole heir of his father -the other older brother Rudolf was ordained priest-. In 1362 John inherited the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst, but he had to co-rule with his uncle Waldemar II and after his death in 1368, with his cousin Waldemar II, who died four years later (1371) without issue. With his cousin's death, John became in the sole ruler of Anhalt-Zerbst until his death.

Marriage and Issue

In 1366 John married with Elisabeth (d. Dessau, aft. 20 January 1420), daughter of John I, Count of Henneberg-Schleusingen. They had four children:
#Agnes (d. bef. 5 July 1392), married bef. 23 September 1382 to Burchard of Schraplau.
#Sigismund I, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, later Anhalt-Dessau (d. Coswig, 19 January 1405).
#Albert IV, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, later Anhalt-Köthen (d. Coswig, 24 November 1423).
#Waldemar III, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst (d. 1391).