Background
He was the third son of Bernhard I, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg, by his wife Princess Sophie, daughter of King Abel of Denmark. After the death of his father in 1287, Bernhard inherited the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg.
He was the third son of Bernhard I, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg, by his wife Princess Sophie, daughter of King Abel of Denmark. After the death of his father in 1287, Bernhard inherited the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg.
John died four years later (1291) and Bernhard became the sole ruler. In the year 1300 Bernhard adopted the title "Count of Bernburg". His princely title was confirmed the next year.
After the Anhalt-Aschersleben line became extinct in 1315, Bernhard inherited the senior princely title of Ascania as well as the title prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben.
Bernhard agreed to this arrangement in writing in 1316, however his descendants continued to dispute the loss of the principality for centuries. Aschersleben was finally awarded to Brandenburg-Prussia in the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648.
In Frankfurt am Main on 27 September 1320, Bernhard was created Count palatine of Saxony and Count of Brehna. He died three years later.