Frederick I, Elector Palatine

Frederick I, the Victorious (der Siegreiche) (1 August 1425, Heidelberg – 12 December 1476, Heidelberg) was a Count Palatine of the Rhine and Elector Palatine from the House of Wittelsbach in 1451–76.

Frederick I, Count Palatine of the Rhine (painting of Albrecht Altdorfer)
Frederick I the Victorious in a baroque engraving

Biography

He was a son of Louis III, Elector Palatine and his second wife Matilda of Savoy. His maternal grandparents were Amadeus, Prince of Achaea and his wife Catherina of Geneva.

He ruled the Electoral Palatinate after the death of his brother Louis IV as regent for his nephew Philip, Elector Palatine. He adopted his nephew in 1451 and refused to marry. From this "Arrogation," he claimed the right to be the legitimate elector. As this action was against imperial law, Emperor Frederick III refused to confirm Frederick's status. However, the emperor did not manage to displace Frederick who was an able strategist and allied with Louis IX, Duke of Bavaria.

Frederick was also successful against other opponents such as the emperor's party follower Albrecht III Achilles, Elector of Brandenburg and Diether von Isenburg, the archbishop of Mainz, and increased his territory. With the Battle of Seckenheim during the Bavarian War (1459–63) Frederick captured his antagonists Bishop George of Baden, Charles I, Margrave of Baden-Baden and Ulrich V, Count of Württemberg.

Marriage and children

In 1471/1472, Frederick married his long-time mistress Clara Tott. She was a commoner and this was considered a morganatic marriage. They had two children:

  • Friedrich von Wittelsbach (1461–1474).
  • Louis I, Count of Löwenstein (29 September 1463 - 1524). Married first Elisabeth von Montfort and secondly Sophia Böcklin. Ancestor of the further rulers of Löwenstein.
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  • Marek, Miroslav. "A listing of his descendants". Genealogy.EU.
Frederick I, Elector Palatine
Born: 1 August 1425 Died: 12 December 1476
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Louis IV		 Elector Palatine
1451–1476		 Succeeded by
Philip
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