Esico of Ballenstedt

Esico of Ballenstedt (died around 1060) is the progenitor of the House of Ascania, (i.e., the oldest known member of his dynasty). Esico was the count of Ballenstedt (r. 1036-1060), and his possessions became the nucleus of the later Principality of Anhalt. Life Parents and siblings Esico is also known as Esiko and Hesicho. His father is sometimes assumed to have been one Adalbert of Ballenstedt, who had married Hidda, a daughter of Margrave Odo I of the Saxon Eastern March, but there is no hard evidence for this. Thereby, Esico would have been a brother of Uta von Ballenstedt, the consort of Margrave Eckard II of Meissen, and of Hacheza, abbess of Gernrode. He may have also had a brother named Dietrich. Career Little is known about him, but he is assumed to have been count of the Saxon Schwabengau, Harzgau and Nordthüringgau with his seat at Ballenstedt Castle.