Lebrecht, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen

Lebrecht, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen (b. Plötzkau, 8 April 1622 - d. Köthen, 7 November 1669), was a German prince member of the House of Ascania and ruler of the Principality of Anhalt-Plötzkau and, since 1665, ruler of the Principality of Anhalt-Köthen.

He was the second son of Augustus, Prince of Anhalt-Plötzkau by his wife Sibylle, daughter of John George I, Count of Solms-Laubach.

Life

After the death of his father in 1653, Lebrecht inherited Plötzkau jointly with his older brother Ernest Gottlieb and his younger brother Emmanuel; but with their principality, they also received the regency over Anhalt-Köthen on behalf of the infant Prince William Louis. Lebrecht and Emmanuel held the regency and Ernest Gottlieb remained as a sole ruler over Plötzkau, but only for seven months until his death, unmarried and childless.

Lebrecht continue as regent over Köthen until 1659, when William Louis was proclamed adult and began his government over his principality. Lebrecht return to Plötzkau, where he co-ruled with Emmanuel.

The death of William Louis in 1665 without heirs change the distribution of the current Anhalt principalities: Lebrecht and his brother received Anhalt-Köthen and Plötzkau returned to Anhalt-Bernburg, from where was originally extracted in order to created the principality.

In Plötzkau on 18 January 1655 Lebrecht married with Sophie Ursula Eleonore (b. Ortenberg, 2 October 1628 - d. Köthen, 13 September 1675), daughter of Henry Volrad, Count of Stolberg-Ortenberg. The union was childless.

After four years of reign in Köthen, Lebrecht died without heirs and was succeeded by his younger brother and co-ruler Emmanuel.