Background
She was born in Stolberg, Saxony-Anhalt, the eldest daughter, and one of the twelve children of Bodo VIII, Count of Stolberg-Wernigerode and Anna of Eppstein-Königstein (1482-1487 August 1538), daughter of Philip of Eppstein.
She was born in Stolberg, Saxony-Anhalt, the eldest daughter, and one of the twelve children of Bodo VIII, Count of Stolberg-Wernigerode and Anna of Eppstein-Königstein (1482-1487 August 1538), daughter of Philip of Eppstein.
She was elected princess-abbess under the name Anna II at the age of twelve, succeeding Magdalena of Anhalt. Anna did not dare to express her Evangelical confession during the reign of George, Duke of Saxony. By doing so, Anna II lost some of the privileges and jurisdiction traditionally enjoyed by Roman Catholic territorial abbesses.
However, the reformation brought Anna and her community emancipation from seclusion and chance to break their vows.
Anna II"s decision allowed the women of Quedlinburg to quit the abbey and marry if they chose to do southern This resulted in the abrogation of the Catholic religion at Quedlinburg Abbey.
As princess-abbess, Anna II controlled nine churches, two male monasteries and a hospital. During her reign, she established a consistory and set the salaries for school and church officials.
She made all priests swear to the Augsburg Confession.
Anna died on 4 March 1574 at the age of seventy and was succeeded by Countess Elisabeth of Regenstein-Blankenburg (Elisabeth II) the following day.
