Editing Bolesław III Wrymouth (section)

===Early years===
Following Bolesław's birth the political climate in the country changed. The position of Bolesław as an heir to the throne was threatened by the presence of [[Mieszko Bolesławowic]], who was already seventeen at the time and was furthermore, by agreement with Władysław I Herman himself, the first in line to succeed. In all likelihood it was this situation that precipitated the young duke Mieszko's demise in 1089.<ref>The poisoning of Miesko Bolesławowic is attributed to Sieciech. M. Spórna, P. Wierzbicki: ''Słownik władców Polski i pretendentów do tronu polskiego'', p. 353; Ł. Piernikarczyk: [http://polskiedzieje.pl/slawni-polacy/palatyn-sieciech.html ''Palatyn Sieciech (1080–1100)'' (in Polish)] [retrieved 13 July 2014].</ref> In that same year Wladyslaw I Herman's first-born son Zbigniew was sent to a monastery in [[Quedlinburg]], [[Saxony]].<ref>Zbigniew, after the birth of Bolesław, was sent to learning for a future clerical post in Kraków Cathedral. Behind his removal from court was probably Duchess Judith, mother of Bolesław. K. Maleczyński: ''Bolesław III Krzywousty.'', pp. 22–23.</ref> This suggests that Wladyslaw I Herman intended to be rid of [[Zbigniew of Poland|Zbigniew]] by making him a monk, and therefore depriving him of any chance of succession.<ref>P. Ksyk-Gąsiorowska: ''Zbigniew'', [in]: ''Piastowie. Leksykon biograficzny'', Kraków 1999, p. 72. {{ISBN|83-08-02829-2}}.</ref><ref>R. Grodecki believes that the banishment of Zbigniew to Quedlinburg Abbey was thanks to Count Palatine Sieciech and Duchess Judith-Sophia; R. Grodecki, S. Zachorowski, J. Dąbrowski: D''zieje Polski średniowiecznej'', vol. I, p. 129.</ref> This eliminated two pretenders to the Polish throne, secured young Bolesław's inheritance as well as diminished the growing opposition to Wladyslaw I Herman among the nobility.<ref>The opposition, who supported the rights of Mieszko Bolesławowic and Zbigniew, demanded the legal recognition of the two princes as pretenders to the throne. S. Szczur: ''Historia Polski – średniowiecze'', p. 117.</ref> Shortly after his ascension, however, [[Władysław I Herman]] was forced by the barons to give up the ''de facto'' reins of government to Count Palatine [[Sieciech]]. This turn of events was likely due to the fact that Herman owed the throne to the barons, the most powerful of whom was [[Sieciech]].<ref name="RGrodecki128"/><ref name="Piernikarczyk">Ł. Piernikarczyk: [http://polskiedzieje.pl/slawni-polacy/palatyn-sieciech.html ''Palatyn Sieciech (1080–1100)'' (in Polish)] [retrieved 13 July 2014].</ref>

Around this time Władysław I Herman married again. The chosen bride was [[Judith of Swabia|Judith-Maria]], daughter of Emperor [[Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry III]] and widow of King [[Solomon of Hungary]], who after her wedding took the name ''Sophia'' in order to distinguish herself from Władysław I Herman's first wife. Through this marriage Bolesław gained three or four half-sisters, and as a consequence he remained the only legitimate son and heir. It is believed that the new Duchess was actively aiding [[Sieciech]] in his schemes to take over the country and that she became his mistress.<ref name="RGrodecki128"/><ref>K. Maleczyński: ''Bolesław III Krzywousty'', p. 30.</ref>