FREDERICK I. elector palatine of the Rhine, surnamed "the Victorious," and called by his enemies "wicked Fritz," second son of the elector palatine Louis III., was born on Aug. 1, 1425. He inherited a part of the Palatinate on his father's death in 1439, but surrendered this inheritance to his elder brother, the elector Louis IV. On his brother's death in 1449 he became guardian of the young elector Philip, and in 1451 he persuaded the nobles to recognize him as elector, on condition that Philip should be his successor. The elector was leader among the princes who formed plans to secure a more efficient government for Germany, and even discussed the deposition of Frederick III. In alliance with Louis IX., duke of Bavaria-Landshut, Frederick gained several victories during the ensuing struggle between the princes, and in 1462 won a decisive battle at Seckenheim over Ul rich V., count of Wurttemberg. In 1472 the elector married Clara Tott, or Dett, the daughter of an Augsburg citizen, and by her he had two sons, Frederick, who died during his father's lifetime, and Louis (d. 1524), ancestor of the counts of Lowenstein. He died at Heidelberg on Dec. 12, 1476, and was succeeded, according to the compact, by his nephew Philip. Frederick was a wise and intelligent ruler who added to the area of the Palatinate and furthered its internal prosperity.
See N. Feeser, Friedrich der Siegreiche, Kurf ilrst von der Pfalz (Neuberg, 188o).