Background
Philipp Ludwig was born in Zweibrücken in 1547 as the eldest son of Wolfgang, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken. After his father"s death in 1569, his lands were partitioned between Philipp Ludwig and his four brothers - Philipp Ludwig received the Duchy of Neuburg. He married Anna (1552–1632), daughter of Duke Wilhelm IV "the Rich" of Jülich-Cleves-Berg, in 1574 and used the marriage as the basis of his claim to inherit the duchies in the succession controversy against the Elector of Brandenburg after William IV"s only son, John William, died without heirs.
