Second Marriage
A widower, Lebrecht was serving in the Netherlands when he fell in love with Baroness Eberhardine Jacobine Wilhelmine of Weede (b. Grave, 9 August 1685 - d. Grave, 13 February 1724), daughter of Baron Johann Georg von Weede, Governor of Grave (created a Baron by the Emperor in 1675; a Protestant himself, but married to a Catholic who raised their daughter in that religion). The couple was married in Grave on 27 June 1702. They had six children:
- Victoria Sophie (b. Zeitz, 10 January 1704 - d. Zeitz, 18 May 1704).
- Charlotte Wilhelmine (b. Schaumburg, 24 November 1704 - d. Barchfeld, 11 November 1766), married on 31 October 1724 to William, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld.
- John George (b. Zeitz, 30 October 1705 - d. Zeitz, 18 May 1707).
- Joseph Karl (b. Zeitz, 26 December 1706 - d. Zeitz, 18 February 1737).
- Sophie Christine Eberhardine (b. Zeitz, 6 February 1710 - d. Neustadt an der Orla, 26 October 1784), married on 10 November 1728 to Christian, Prince of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen.
- Victor Lebrecht (b. Zeitz, 7 November 1711 - d. Zeitz, 5 December 1737).
By contract of 23 February 1703, Lebrecht explained that after the death of his wife he wished not to remarry, so as not to diminish the possessions of the House of Anhalt through further partitions; but he found a way to reconcile his conscience with this intention by marrying a person who only looked for companionship in marriage and had no desire for princely rank. Remarriages with persons of unequal rank after a first equal marriage leaving posterity were not unusual in Germany, and under these conditions he obtained the consent of his father to this union.
The contract, signed by a notary and two witnesses, specified that the Baroness of Weede would not usurp the rank of princess or seek to be raised to that rank but would remain a baroness under the name of "Baroness of Bähringen," and never use the name, title, or arms of Anhalt for herself. A sum of 45,000 Thalers was set for her upkeep and that of her children, which would be used to purchase a suitable estate. Should she die without heirs, or at the extinction of her issue, the sum or the estate purchased with it would be returned to her husband and his heirs.
This contract notwithstanding, Lebrecht sought and obtained from the Emperor her elevation to the rank of Countess with the style of "Hoch- und Wohlgebohren" and new arms (1 August 1705). Lebrecht's father fought in vain to have this elevation reversed.
After the death of Lebrecht, the two surviving sons from his marriage with the Countess of Weede obtained the Bailiwick of Zeitz, but both died unmarried and childless.
Read more about this topic: Lebrecht, Prince Of Anhalt-Zeitz-Hoym, Marriages and Issue
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