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 - 1476.
He was a son of Louis III, Elector Palatine and his second wife Matilda of Savoy. His maternal grandparents were Amadeo, 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 Albert III, Elector of Brandenburg and Dieter von Isenburg, the archbishop of Mainz, and increased his territory. With the battle of Seckenheim (1462) during the war of Mainz 1461-1463 Frederick captured his antagonists bishop Georg of Metz, Charles I, Margrave of Baden-Baden and Ulrich V, Count of Wurttemberg.
In 1471/1472, Frederick married his long-time mistress Klara Tott. She was a commoner and this was considered a morganatic marriage. They had two children:
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Frederick I, Elector Palatine
Born: 1 August 1425 Died: 12 December 1476 |
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| Preceded by Louis IV |
Elector Palatine 1451–1476 |
Succeeded by Philip |