Louis I, Count of Loon


Louis was the Count of Loon, now in modern Belgium, Burgrave of Mainz, in Germany. He inherited these offices from his father. He also established the County of Rieneck apparently based upon the Burgrave's lands.

Life

He was the son of Arnold II, Count of Looz, and his wife whose name may have been Adeleide or Agnes. Arnold II died in 1139, and Louis was his heir.
He was advocate of Averbode Abbey. In 1154, he donated Laethof Manor in Heusden-Zolder to the abbey.
He constructed a castle in Brustem. In 1155, he inherited the County of Rieneck from his brother Gerhard.
Louis married Agnes of Metz, the daughter of Folmar V, Count of Metz, and Matilda of Dagsburg, the heiress of Longwy. Agnes commissioned Hendrik van Veldeke to write his "Life of Saint Servatius". Louis I served as burgrave of Metz from 1159 to 1162. Via his wife, he also had a claim on the Duchy of Luxembourg, however, he could not realize this claim.
In 1171, Louis attempted to conquer the County of Duras. However, Gilles, Count of Duras, called in the help of the citizens of Sint-Truiden and together they defeated Louis' army. Louis died during this battle, on 11 August 1171. He was buried in the chapel of the infirmary in Borgloon. His grave can still be found there.

Issue

Louis and Agnes had the following children:
Louis was succeeded as Count of Loon by his son Count Gerard.