John II, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst (died 11 April 1382) was a German prince of the

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

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 (in 1371). Following his cousin's death, John became the sole ruler of Anhalt-Zerbst.

Marriage and issue

In 1366 John married Elisabeth (died Dessau, after 20 January 1420), daughter of John I, Count of Henneberg-Schleusingen. They had four children: #Agnes (d. bef. 5 July 1392), married bef. 23 September 1382 to Burchard of Schraplau. # Sigismund I, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, later

Anhalt-Dessau Anhalt-Dessau was a principality of the Holy Roman Empire and later a duchy of the German Confederation. Ruled by the House of Ascania, it was created in 1396 following the partition of the Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst, and finally merged into th ...

(d. Coswig, 19 January 1405). # Albert IV, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, later

Anhalt-Köthen Anhalt-Köthen was a Princes of the Holy Roman Empire, principality of the Holy Roman Empire ruled by the House of Ascania. It was created in 1396 when the Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst was partitioned between Anhalt-Dessau and Anhalt-Köthen. T ...

(d. Coswig, 24 November 1423). #

Waldemar III, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst Waldemar III, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst (died 1391) was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst. He was the youngest son of John II, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, by his wife Elisabeth, daughter of John I ...

(d. 1391). {{DEFAULTSORT:John 02, Prince Of Anhalt-Zerbst Princes of Anhalt-Zerbst 1382 deaths Year of birth unknown