Sigismund I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau

Sigismund I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau (died Coswig, 19 January 1405), was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst until 1396, when he became the first ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Dessau. He was the eldest son of John II, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, by his wife Elisabeth, daughter of John I, Count of Henneberg-Schleusingen.

Life
In 1382, after the death of his father, Sigismund inherited the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst jointly with his brothers Albert IV and Waldemar III. After the death of Waldemar in 1391, Sigismund and Albert became the sole co-rulers.

Five years later, in 1396, both brothers decided to settle upon a formal division of the principality of Anhalt-Zerbst. Sigismund assumed the title "Lord of Zerbst," but established the town of Dessau as his main residence and capital of his newly created principality of Anhalt-Dessau.

Marriage and issue
In 1386, Sigismund married Judith (d. aft. 1411), daughter of Gebhard XI, Count of Querfurt. They had eleven children:
 * 1) Sophie (d. 1419), married bef. 6 June 1415 to Burkhard IV of Barby, Count of Mühlingen.
 * 2) Elisabeth (d. aft. 19 November 1413), married bef. 1402 to Albert IV, Count of Mansfeld.
 * 3) Anna (d. young)
 * 4) Margareta (d. young)
 * 5) Waldemar IV, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau (d. aft. 22 July 1417).
 * 6) George I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau (b. ca. 1390 – d. Dessau, 21 September 1474).
 * 7) Matilda (b. 1392 – d. 1463), Abbess of Gernrode (1439).
 * 8) John (IV) (d. Dessau, 1455), a canon in Merseburg, Provost of Merseburg.
 * 9) Sigismund II, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau (d. 22 May 1452).
 * 10) Albert V, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau (d. ca. 1469).
 * 11) Ernest (d. aft. 22 October 1405).