Christian I, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg

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Christian I. of Anhalt (May 11, 1568 – April 17, 1630) was the Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg (1603–1630) and advisor to the Electors Palatine Frederick IV as well as Frederick V.

Taking possession of his family lands in 1586, Christian was a devoted Calvinist and advisor to Frederick IV, the Elector Palatinate. In 1591 he led the Palatine army to the aid of the French king, Henry IV. As a diplomat, in 1608 Christian played an important role in the formation of the Protestant Union. With the death of the Elector, Christian served his son, Frederick V, and was appointed to command the Protestant forces to defend Bohemia against Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II and his allies when that country's nobles elected Frederick as their king in 1619. When his forces were defeated at the 1620 Battle of White Mountain Christian advised Frederick against making another stand in Prague. In response to his affiliation with the Palatines, Christian was subjected to the imperial ban in 1621, which effectively made him an outlaw within the Holy Roman Empire and stripped him of his lands.

Christian fled first to Sweden, and then became a guest of King Christian IV in Denmark. He appealed to Emperor Ferdinand's mercy in 1624 and was allowed to return to his patrimonial estates. He was succeeded by his son Christian II.

[edit] References

• Pursell, Brennan C. The Winter King. Aldershot: Ashgate, 2003.
• Yates, Frances. The Rosicrucian Enlightenment. London; New York: Routledge, 1972. ISBN 0-415-26769-2