Anna Eleonore of Stolberg-Wernigerode

Anna Eleonore of Stolberg-Wernigerode
Spouse(s) Emmanuel, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen
Noble family House of Stolberg
Father Henry Ernest, Count of Stolberg-Wernigerode
Mother Anna Elisabeth of Stolberg
Born 26 March 1651
Ilsenburg
Died 27 January 1690 (aged 38)
Köthen
Buried St. Jacob church in Köthen

Anna Eleonore of Stolberg-Wernigerode (26 March 1651 - 27 January 1690), was a German noblewoman member of the House of Stolberg and by marriage Princess of Anhalt-Köthen.

Born in Ilsenburg, she was the second child of Henry Ernest, Count of Stolberg-Wernigerode and Anna Elisabeth of Stolberg.[1]

Life

In Ilsenburg on 23 March 1670, Anna Eleonore married with Emmanuel, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen. The marriage lasted only eight months, until Emmanuel's death on 8 November.

Three months pregnant at the time of her husband's death, Anna Eleonore was named regent of the Principality of Anhalt-Köthen until the birth of her child: if was a boy, he immediately became the new Prince and she kept the regency, but if she gave birth a girl, the other Anhalt principalities would divided Köthen between them.

On 20 May 1671, Anna Eleonore gave birth a son, Emmanuel Lebrecht who became in the new Prince. Anna Eleonore remained a regent until her death.

Anna Eleonore died in Köthen aged 38. She was buried next to her husband at Kirche St.Jakob, Köthen.[2] Because her son was still underage, John George II, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau succeeded her in the regency until 1692, when Emmanuel Lebrecht finally attained his majority and began his independent government.

References