Editing Principality of Ansbach (section)

== History ==
The principality was established following the death of [[Frederick V, Burgrave of Nuremberg]], on 21 January 1398. By agreement, his lands were partitioned between his two sons, a process that took more than two years. The younger son, [[Frederick I, Elector of Brandenburg|Frederick VI]], received Ansbach and the elder, [[John III, Burgrave of Nuremberg|John III]], received [[Principality of Bayreuth|Bayreuth]]. After John III's death on 11 June 1420, the two principalities were reunited under Frederick VI, who had become [[Prince-elector|Elector]] Frederick I of [[Brandenburg]] in 1415.

On 21 September 1440, almost three years after Frederick's death his territories were divided between his sons; [[John, Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach|John]] received the [[principality of Bayreuth]] (Brandenburg-Kulmbach), [[Frederick II, Elector of Brandenburg|Frederick]] received Brandenburg, and [[Albrecht III, Elector of Brandenburg|Albert]] received Ansbach. Thereafter Ansbach was held by [[cadet branch]]es of the [[House of Hohenzollern]], and its rulers were commonly called Margraves of Brandenburg-Ansbach.

On 2 December 1791, the reigning Prince and Margrave of Ansbach, [[Charles Alexander, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach|Charles Alexander]], who had also succeeded to Bayreuth, sold the sovereignty of his principalities to King [[Frederick William II of Prussia]]. The Margrave was middle-aged and childless, and Frederick William was his kinsman as the head of the House of Hohenzollern. The Margrave moved to England with his English second wife. Ansbach was formally annexed on 28 January 1792.