Albert IV, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen

Albert IV, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen (d. Coswig, 24 November 1423), was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst until 1396 and since them first ruler of the Principality of Anhalt-Köthen.

He was the second son of John II, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst by his wife Elisabeth, daughter of John I, Count of Henneberg-Schleusingen.

Life

In 1382, after the death of his father, Albert inherited the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst jointly with his brothers Sigismund Iand Waldemar III. After the death of Waldemar in 1391, Albert and Sigismund became in the two only co-rulers. Destined to the church since very young, in 1392 was made canon of Magdeburg Cathedral.

Five years later, in 1396, both brothers decided to made the formal division of Anhalt-Zerbst. As "Lord of Köthen", he took the town of Köthen as his main residence and head of his new created principality. Shortly after, he resiged to all his ecclesiastic posts in order to marry and produced the needed heirs to his lands.

Marriages and Issue

Bef. 1398 Albert married firstly with Elisabeth (d. aft. 6 June 1403), daughter of Gebhard III, Count of Mansfeld. They had six children:
#Adolph I, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen (d. Zerbst, 28 August 1473).
#Anna (d. bef. 13 June 1426), married on 1422 to William, Prince of Wenden and Lord of Werle.
#Lutrud (d. 4 June 1465), married on 14 October1430 to John III, Duke of Mecklenburg-Stargard.
#William (d. young).
#Albert (d. 18 March 1413).
#Waldemar V, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen (d. 1436).

Bef. 4 February 1419 Albert married secondly with Elisabeth (d. 1452), daughter of Gebhard XI, Count of Querfurt and widow of Conrad (Kurt) of Hadmersleben, Lord of Egeln. They had three children:
#Albert VI, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen (d. 9 January 1475).
#Sophie, married to Gunther VI of Barby, Count of Mühlingen.
#Dietburg (d. young).