Bernhard IV, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg (died 28 June 1354) was a German prince of the

House of Ascania The House of Ascania (german: Askanier) was a dynasty of German rulers. It is also known as the House of Anhalt, which refers to its longest-held possession, Anhalt. The Ascanians are named after Ascania (or Ascaria) Castle, known as ''Schlo ...

and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg. He was the eldest son of

Bernhard III, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg Bernhard III, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg (died 20 August 1348) was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg. He was the eldest son of Bernhard II, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg, by his wife Helene, daug ...

, by his first wife Agnes, daughter of Rudolf I, Duke of Saxe-Wittenberg and Elector of Saxony.

Life

After the death of his father in 1348, Bernhard inherited the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg as sole ruler, bypassing the rights of his younger brothers Henry and Otto. He also used the title of "Margrave of Landsberg" despite the fact the margraviate had been repurchased by the

House of Wettin The House of Wettin () is a dynasty of German kings, prince-electors, dukes, and counts that once ruled territories in the present-day German states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. The dynasty is one of the oldest in Europe, and its ori ...

in 1347. Bernhard was betrothed shortly before his death to Beatrix (born Wartburg, 1 September 1339 – d. Seusslitz, 25 July 1399), daughter of

Frederick II, Margrave of Meissen Frederick II (; 30 November 1310 – 18 November 1349) was the margrave of Meissen from 1323 until his death. Early life Frederick was born on 30 November 1310 in Gotha. His parents were Margrave Frederick I of Meissen and Elisabeth von Lobd ...

. The marriage apparently never took place or, if it ever did take place, was only juridical and unconsummated. Bernhard died without issue and was succeeded by his brother

Henry Henry may refer to: People *Henry (given name) * Henry (surname) * Henry Lau, Canadian singer and musician who performs under the mononym Henry Royalty * Portuguese royalty ** King-Cardinal Henry, King of Portugal ** Henry, Count of Portugal, ...

. Shortly after, Beatrix of Meissen took the veil and later became Abbess of Seusslitz near Weissenfels. {{Use dmy dates, date=January 2012 Princes of Anhalt-Bernburg 1354 deaths Year of birth unknown