Because of his father's age, in 1537 he was put in charge of all the family properties. He joined the Schmalkadic League of Lutheran princes and then the Schmalkaldic War. When his father died in 1547 he became Count of Solms in Braunfels, Greifenstein, Hungen and Wuelfersheim. After the disastrous battle of M?hlberg, which took place on 24 April 1547, he remained with the Reformation and refused to publish the Augsburg Interim papers in his lands. After the Treaty of Passau giving religious freedom to the Lutherans, he appointed Lutheran preachers and teachers. 

His wife was one of the sisters of the last Count von Tecklenburg but when his brother-in-law died in 1557, he was unable to press through his claims. In 1568, because of his own advanced age, he 
involved his son Konrad in the running of his estates. In 1578 he established the primogeniture for his family; this was essential as in previous generations younger sons were placed in the church and this 
option was no longer available after the Reformation. In his last years he lived in Hungen in seclusion, and here he died.
 

Source: Leo van de Pas