Gottfried I shortly after the government introduced the right to Brugeron County, which also claimed the Bishop of Liege. Emperor Henry IV was made by an arbitrator decided the dispute in 1099, transferring county bishop, who conveyed his column Namur, Albert III. After the death of Emperor Henry IV in 1106, his son, Heinrich V, a former opponent of his father, imprisoned Limburg Henry I, to whom Henry IV passed in 1101 Lower Lorraine. The new emperor, made Duke Gottfried Louvain, beginning half a fight Limburg Louvain and homes for the possession of the title of Duke of Lower Lorraine. Later Heinrich Limburgish tried to capture the dukedom, but failed. But he continued to use the ducal title.

   In 1114 because of a quarrel with the emperor by Pope Pashaliem II came the revolt, which in 1118 joined, and Gottfried. In 1119 died without sons, the Count of Flanders Baldvin VII. With claims on Flanders were few applicants. Gottfried Wilhelm supported Iprskogo, married to his wife's niece, but the Count of Flanders became Carl Good. In 1122 Gottfried has elected Bishop of Liege his brother Adalberona (um.1128).

   In 1125 died the Emperor Heinrich V. Gottfried spoke in support of the candidacy Conrad Duke of Swabia, but the emperor had been chosen his opponent, Lothar Supplinburgsky. The new emperor chose from Gottfried ducal title, handing him Valramu III Limburg. But Gottfried has retained all of its ownership and continued to use the ducal title, as his adversary. In 1127 the Count of Flanders, Carl died, became the new Count Wilhelm Kliton, which caused the rebellion. Gottfried again intervened in the struggle, but without much success. As a result, he found a new graph, Thierry Alsatian. After the death of the Emperor Lothar as his successor became Schwabsky Conrad, who once again approved the Duke Gottfried. But a year later Gottfried died. His son and heir, Gottfried II (ok.1000 - June 13, 1142) of short-lived, leaving a minor son of Gottfried III (ok.1140-August 1190).

   Of the other children Gottfried I know his daughter Adele, married to King Henry I of England Boklerka, as well as the son of a second marriage, Jocelyne de Louvain (1125/1133 - 1180). He was accompanied to England his stepsister Adele, where it remained. He received tenure in Petuorte and Sussex, and married Agnes de Percy, inherited after the death of his father's possession. He became the ancestor of the second kind Percy.

   In 1148 in the possession of the young Count started a rebellion nobility. World was able to recover only in 1154. In 1155 he married Margarita Limburgskoy, daughter of Duke Henry II of Limburg, ending a dispute between the houses of Lower Lorraine. In 1159 Gottfried finished the war with senior Grimberg and Raspberry, which lasted 18 years. Before his death, he has substantially increased home ownership. In 1182 Gottfried handed over to his son Henry I brave (around 1165 - 5 September 1235) Brabant, and went to Palestine, where he stayed until 1184. In 1183 Emperor erected in the Duchy. After the death of his father, Heinrich, and inherited the other paternal possession.