Adolph II, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen

Adolph II, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen (b. 16 October 1458 - d. Merseburg, 24 March 1526), was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the Principality of Anhalt-Köthen. A Roman-Catholic Bishop of Merseburg, he remained until his death as a staunch opponent of Martin Luther.

He was the fifth and youngest but third surviving son of Adolph I, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen by his wife Cordula, daughter of Albert III, Count of Lindau-Ruppin.

Life

In 1471 Adolph began his studies in the University of Leipzig and in 1475 he was elected his Rector. Because he had decided became a priest, his father made a succession contract with the branch of Anhalt-Dessau, in order to secure the existence of the principality; nevertless, the death of his uncle Albert VI made Adolph and his brother Magnus co-rulers of Anhalt-Köthen with his cousin Philip alongside with Waldemar VI of Anhalt-Dessau, under the terms of the contract. Adolph used the title of "Lord of Zerbst" in allusion of the part of the principality who was his residence. Despite his spiritual state, Adolph was interest in the government of his principality for several years; only in 1508 he formally renounced to his rights.

In 1488 he became Provost of Magdeburg Cathedral, followed for his formal ordination two years later (1490). In 1507 was accepted by Bishop Thilo of Merseburg as his Coadjutor and succeded him in 1514 as Bishop of Merseburg.

His administration over the Bishopric of Merseburg was prudent and kind. Besides, he also preached and taught. Although he fundamentally accepted the justification apprenticeship proclamed by Luther, nevertheless he rejected all interventions in the existing Church order. In 1520 he orders the burn of Luther's books and the reading of the Bible translation under the reformer style was forbade in 1522. In 1523 Adolph solicited to Duke George of Saxony the expulsion of the Lutheran Master Sebastian Fröschel from Leipzig. On 3 May 1525 he was forced to flee after the Protestant disturbances in Leipzig. Adolph died ten months later.