The Treaty and came about because Elector John George of Brandenburg had violated the requirements made in Dispositio Achillea in his will.
John George, however, had stipulated his will that part of the Neumark and Krosno Odrzańskie should be separated from the Mark and given to his two younger sons.
He was the last descendant of the elder branch of the Franconian Hohenzollerns and ruled the two margraviates of Brandenburg-Ansbach and Brandenburg-Kulmbach.
After the House Treaty of Gera was finally accepted by all parties concerned, it was ratified on 29 April 1599 in Magdeburg.
John George's younger sons were compensated with the succession of the Franconian possessions of the Hohenzollerns.