George, after taking a religious profession in his youth, returned briefly to the world, but in 1454 reverted to holy orders and later became Bishop of Metz.

Jacob I was the opposite of his father; Enea Silvio de Piccolomini (Pope Pius II) characterized him as famous among the Germans for his justice and intelligence.

In his early years he was ruler of the family possessions in Hohenberg, until at the age of 24 he succeeded to the government of Baden.

When as the result of a miscarriage his sister Agnes fled in the middle of a conflict about inheritance, the Margrave lost his claim to the Duchy of Schleswig.

Jakob married 25 July 1418 Catherine,[1] daughter of Charles II, Duke of Lorraine and Margaret of the Palatinate.