Ernest I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau

Ernst von Anhalt (* 1454, † June 12, 1516 in Dessau ) was a Prince of Anhalt -Dessau.

Life

Ernst was a son of Prince Georg I of Anhalt -Zerbst (1390-1474) from his fourth marriage to Anna († 1513), daughter of Count Albrecht von Lindau - Ruppin.

1470 Ernst's father had placed the government in the hands of his sons, who divided the land in 1471. Ernst and Sigismund III. received Anhalt -Dessau, and Georg Waldemar VI. Anhalt- Köthen got, and Rudolf should be resigned to a sum of money. The part of the country Anhalt- Bernburg, 1468 passed to the house ware should govern all the brothers together.

Ernst survived all his brothers. As a prince he promoted agriculture and reached by land clearing, together with a considerable increase in population. In 1512 St. Mary's Church in Dessau was completed for the 1506 Ernst laid the foundation. Also grew in 1512 Ernst in the Castle of Dessau, the mill and several outbuildings on. He received from the Brandenburg debt payment for the pledged Cottbus and Peitz and issued a 1515 church order.

Marriage and issue

Ernst married on January 20, 1494 in Cottbus Margaret ( 1473-1530 ), daughter of Duke Henry the Elder of Münsterberg. His wife was an excellent housekeeper and already the marriage was celebrated very sparingly. After Ernest's death, Margaret took over the regency over the minor sons. From his marriage Ernst had the following children:

• Thomas (* 1503, † young)
• John II (1504-1551), Prince of Anhalt -Zerbst

• George III. (1507-1553), Prince of Anhalt- Plötzkau
• Joachim I (1509-1561), Prince of Anhalt -Dessau