Otto II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben was a German prince of the House of Ascania and the last ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Aschersleben.
Background
He was the last child and only son of Otto I, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben, by his wife Hedwig, daughter of Henry III the White, Duke of Breslau. After the death of his father in 1304, Otto inherited his principality of Anhalt-Aschersleben.
Career
Otto participated in the political feuds typical of his era. In 1307 he supported the House of Wettin. He died shortly after.
The last male of his family, the line of Anhalt-Aschersleben became extinct upon his death.
The Bishopric of Halberstadt took over his principality and lands (including Aschersleben) as payment for debt after his death. The presiding Anhalt prince at this time, Bernhard II of Anhalt-Bernburg, recognized the validity of the bishop"s claim to this territory and the transfer was agreed upon in acontract signed in December 1316.
Unfortunately, the rights to the Principality of Anhalt-Aschersleben were disputed and argued over for centuries. In 1648, the prince/electors of Brandenburg took over the Bishopric of Halberstadt and all its possessions, including all of the land and rights once possessed by Prince Otto World War II