Editing History of Saxony-Anhalt (section)

== Counts of Anhalt ==
During the 9th century, the greater part of Anhalt was included in the [[Duchy of Saxony]]. In the 12th century, it came under the rule of [[Albert the Bear]], [[Margrave]] of Brandenburg. Albert was descended from [[Adalbert, Count of Ballenstedt]], whose son [[Esico of Ballenstedt|Esico]] (d. 1059 or 1060) appears to have been the first to bear the title of Count of Anhalt. Esico's grandson, [[Otto, Count of Ballenstedt|Otto the Rich]], Count of Ballenstedt, was the father of Albert the Bear, who united Anhalt with Brandenburg.  When Albert died in 1170, his son [[Bernhard, Count of Anhalt|Bernard I]], who received the title of [[Duke of Saxony]] in 1180, became the first Count of Anhalt.  Bernard I died in 1212, and Anhalt, separated from Saxony, passed to his son [[Henry I, Count of Anhalt|Henry]], who in 1218 took the title of prince and was the real founder of the house of Anhalt.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=45}} Henry is included among the Minnesingers in the [[Codex Manesse]].