Principality/Duchy of Anhalt-Dessau

Principality of Anhalt-Dessau-Wörlitz

The Principality of Anhalt-Dessau was one of four principalities created when Anhalt was partitioned in 1606. Like the other three, it was part of Ascanian Germany. The principality temporarily spun off a subordinate principality (Anhalt-Wörlitz) between 1632 and 1643. In 1669, it acquired the Senioratsamt of Großalsleben and in 1718, it purchased Amt Gröbzig from Anhalt-Bernburg. When the ruling family of Anhalt-Zerbst died out, Anhalt-Dessau acquired Amt Zerbst and the eastern half of Amt Lindau (which I label the Quasi-Amt of Lindau-Nedlitz). In 1806, the principality was raised to a duchy, and in 1819 it underwent a significant consolidation of its subdivisions. In 1853, the Plötzkau/Köthen line died out and Anhalt-Dessau absorbed all of its territory. After the extinction of the Bernburg line in 1863, the Dessau line was able to unite all of Anhalt.

 

In addition to the Ämter over which he had sovereignty, the Prince of Anhalt-Dessau also had administrative responsibility for Gericht Großbadegast, which was under Köthen sovereignty. Furthermore, he began acquiring properties outside of Anhalt during the 18th century and assumed administrative responsibility for them. They are catalogued on a separate page.