Louis was a son of the Elector Palatine
Frederick I (1425–1476) from his
morganatic marriage with
Clara Tott. She had been a
lady-in-waiting at the court of the Duke of Bavaria in
Münich where Frederick met her in 1459. They had two sons, Louis and his elder brother Frederick (1461–1474). In 1451, Frederick I had adopted his nephew
Philip as his son and heir. At the time, he had promised he would not marry himself, so as not to create rival heirs. However, at some point in time, Philip absolved his uncle from this promise and Frederick had secretly married Clara. Frederick continued to support Philip as his heir, and in return Philip promised to provide for Frederick's sons. Philip donated the Lordship of Scharfeneck to Louis, and in 1488, he gave Louis the County of
Löwenstein. In 1492, Louis acquired the Lordship of
Abstatt, including
Wildeck Castle. On 24 February 1484, he was elevated to
Imperial Count by
Maximilian I, who was
King of the Germans at the time. Louis I is considered the founder of the House of
Löwenstein-Wertheim. Two branches of this house exist until this day: the Protestant princes of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg and the Catholic princes of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg. == Marriages and issue ==