John II, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst


John II, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst.
He was the youngest son of Albert II, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, by his second wife Beatrix, daughter of Rudolf I, Elector of Saxony and Duke of Saxe-Wittemberg.

Life

The death of his older brother Albert III in 1359 made John his father's sole heir; his older brother Rudolf was an ordained priest. In 1362 John inherited the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst, but first had to rule jointly with his uncle Waldemar I until his death in 1368, then with his cousin Waldemar II, who died without issue four years later. Following his cousin's death, John became the sole ruler of Anhalt-Zerbst.

Marriage and issue

In 1366 John married Elisabeth, daughter of John I, Count of Henneberg-Schleusingen. They had four children:
  1. Agnes, married bef. 23 September 1382 to Burchard of Schraplau.
  2. Sigismund I, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, later Anhalt-Dessau.
  3. Albert IV, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, later Anhalt-Köthen.
  4. Waldemar III, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst.