Louis continued the policy of his father of expanding his influence into the Thuringian Basin by founding castles and monasteries.

His marriage to Adelheid of Stade, widow of the Saxon count palatine Frederick III, brought him into the highest levels of the German aristocracy.

During the Great Saxon Revolt, Louis first sided with Emperor Henry IV, who probably made him a count in 1080.

He was attempting to take possession of the County Palatine of Saxony, that is, the area west of the river Saale and north of the Unstrut.

As atonement for murdering Frederick, he built the St. Ulrici church in Sangerhausen and later he founded Reinhardsbrunn Abbey.

Louis married Adelheid of Stade, the widow of Frederick III of Goseck, Count Palatine of Saxony and daughter of Lothair Udo II.