Waldemar VI, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen

Waldemar VI, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen (b. 1450 - d. Köthen, 1 November 1508), was a German prince, member of the House of Ascania and ruler of the Principality of Anhalt-Köthen.

He was the eldest son of George I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau by his second wife Sophie, possibly a member of the House of Hohnstein.

Life

In 1471 his father made a succession contract with the Prince Adolph I of Anhalt-Köthen. Under the terms of these contract, George took the government of the half of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen and became in the co-ruler of Adolf as "Mitherr". Shortly after, George renounced to his rights in favor of Waldemar, who became the new co-ruler of Adolph I.

Adolph I died two years later, in 1473, and Waldemar had to co-rule with his half-brother and next heir, Albert VI. The new Prince died fifteen months later and was succeeded by his infant son Philip. This time, the sons of Adolph I - Magnus and Adolph II - were included in the government of the principality.

During his life, Waldemar also asumed the following titles: "Lord of Köthen" (in 1480) "Lord of Hoym" (in 1492) and "Lord of Burgscheidungen" (in 1496).

Philip died without issue in 1500; eight years later, Adolph I's sons formally renounced their rights. In consequence, Waldemar became in the sole ruler of Anhalt-Köthen, but he died shortly afterwards.

On his death he was succeeded by his only surviving son, Wolfgang.

Marriage and issue

In Köthen on 24 January 1485 Waldemar married with Margarete (b. Rudolstadt, 16 June 1464 - d. Köthen, 1 August 1539), daughter of Günther XX, Count of Schwarzburg and Lord of Arnstedt. They had four children:
#Barbara (b. 1486 - d. 10 August 1532), married firstly on 25 November 1503 to Henry IV, Count of Plauen and Burggrave of Meissen, and secondly ca. 1521 to Jan Mastovsky z Kolowrat (they became separated on 10 June 1528).
#Waldemar (b. 1490 - d. young).
#Wolfgang, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen (b. Köthen, 1 August 1492 - d. Zerbst, 23 March 1566).
#Margarete (b. Köthen, 12 November 1494 - d. Weimar, 7 October 1521), married on 13 November 1513 to John, Elector of Saxony.

References

* [http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ANHALT.htm Medieval Rulers of Anhalt]
* [http://genealogy.euweb.cz/ascania/ascan5.html Complete Genealogy of the House of Ascania]
* [http://www8.informatik.uni-erlangen.de/cgi-bin/stoyan/l1/LANG=span/INDEX=I216282 Chronological Dates on Stoyan]