John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg
Prince-elector of the Margraviate of Brandenburg · Germany · On the map · Historical Figures · Lived 1572 to 1619 · aged 47
He married into Prussia and ended up running it - a dynastic move that set the stage for Brandenburg-Prussia, the entity that would eventually become the kingdom that unified Germany.
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Johann Sigismund Grunewald
Brandenburg- Johann Sigismund - Münzkabinett, Berlin - 5500195
Johann Sigismund, Markgraf von Brandenburg and Kurfurst, perhaps by Jakob Gladehals, 1610 - Bode-Museum - DSC02802
Johann Sigismund, Markgraf von Brandenburg and Kurfurst, perhaps by Jakob Gladehals, undated - Bode-Museum - DSC02803
Ser.Et. Pot. Pr. Dn. Johannes Sigismundus D. G. Marchio Brandeburg S. R. I. Archicam et Pr. Elect. Pruss. Iulia. Cliv. Mont.PNG?width=1200)
Signatur Johann Sigismund (Brandenburg)
WB 179 Johann Sigismund on medalAbout this person
John Sigismund was born on 8 November 1572 into the House of Hohenzollern, already Prince-elector of Brandenburg. His marriage to Anna, eldest daughter of Duke Albert Frederick of Prussia, positioned him for something larger: Albert Frederick had no sons. When Poland's leader appointed John Sigismund to govern Prussia as regent, the merger of the two territories came within reach. Albert Frederick died without a capable direct male heir, and the union became real - Brandenburg-Prussia, a composite state that would reshape northern Europe. John Sigismund died on 23 December 1619, having locked two pieces together that his descendants would forge into a kingdom.
