Bernhard VII, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst

Bernard VII
Bernard VII
Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst
Reign	1551–1570
Predecessor	John V
Successor	Joachim Ernest
Prince of Anhalt-Plötzkau
Reign	1553–1570
Predecessor	George III
Successor	Joachim Ernest
Prince of Anhalt-Dessau
Reign	1561–1570
Predecessor	Joachim I
Successor	Joachim Ernest
Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Reign	1562–1570
Predecessor	Wolfgang
Successor	Joachim Ernest
Born	17 March 1540; Dessau, Germany
Died	1 March 1570 (aged 29); Dessau, Germany
Spouse	Clara of Gifhorn (m. 1565; died 1598)
Issue	Franz George
House	House of Ascania
Father	John V, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst
Mother	Margaret of Brandenburg

Bernhard VII of Anhalt-Zerbst (17 March 1540 – 1 March 1570), was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst.

He was born and died in Dessau, and was the third and youngest son of John V, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst by his wife Margaret, daughter of Joachim I Nestor, Elector of Brandenburg.

Life

Bernhard inherited Anhalt-Zerbst when his father died in 1551 along with his older brothers Karl I and Joachim Ernest according to the stipulations of the family law of the House of Ascania, which mandated no division of the territories of the principality.

Upon the deaths without issue of his uncles George III of Anhalt-Plötzkau in 1553 and Joachim I of Anhalt-Dessau in 1561, Bernhard and Joachim Ernest inherited their lands, which were merged into Anhalt-Zerbst (Karl only inherited Plötzkau, because he died before Joachim I). In 1562 Anhalt-Köthen was also merged into Anhalt-Zerbst after the death without issue of its last prince, Wolfgang. Bernhard made his residence in Dessau.

Marriage and issue

In Dessau on 28 May 1565 Bernhard married Clara (b. Gifhorn, 1 January 1550 - d. Franzburg, 26 January 1598), posthumous daughter of Francis, Duke of Gifhorn. They had only one son:

Franz George (b. 17 October 1567 - d. Zerbst, 7 September 1568).

Bernhard died without surviving male heirs and was succeeded by his brother Joachim Ernest, who became sole ruler of all the Anhalt territories.

Preceded by John V	Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst with Karl I (until 1561) and Joachim Ernest 1551–1570	Succeeded by Joachim Ernest
Preceded by George III	Prince of Anhalt-Plötzkau with Karl I (until 1561) and Joachim Ernest 1553–1570
Preceded by Joachim I	Prince of Anhalt-Dessau with Joachim Ernest 1561–1570
Preceded by Wolfgang	Prince of Anhalt-Köthen with Joachim Ernest 1562–1570

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