Editing Mieszko II Lambert (section)

===Role in German conflict===
In 1026, King [[Conrad II of Germany]] went to [[Italy]] for his Imperial coronation. His absence increased the activity of the opposition centered around Dukes [[Ernest II of Swabia]] and [[Frederick II of Upper Lorraine]]. Conrad II's opponents conspired to acquire Mieszko's favor. Historical evidence of these efforts is in the prayer book sent to Mieszko by Frederick's wife, [[Matilda of Swabia]], around 1027. The volume is entitled: {{lang|la|officiorum Liber quem ordinem Romanum apellant}}. In it, a miniature showed the Duchess presenting the Book to Mieszko II while sitting on a throne. The gift was accompanied by a letter, wherein Matilda named him a distinguished king and a model for the spread of [[Christianity]]. Also written was praise of the merits of Mieszko II in the building of new churches, as well his knowledge of [[Latin]], very unusual in those times when Greek was more widely used. In this book are found the earliest records of the Kingdom of Poland: [[neume]]s at the margins of the sequence ''Ad célèbres rex celica''. The gift caused the expected effect, and Mieszko II promised to take military action. The preparations for the war began in the autumn of 1027. In the middle of that year, Conrad II returned to Germany and began to fight the rebels. Soon, he defeated Duke Ernest II, depriving him of his lands. Only when the rebel fight was nearly lost did Mieszko II arrive to their aid. In 1028, Polish troops invaded [[Saxony]] and took a number of prisoners. The devastation was so great that, according to Saxon sources, "where Mieszko II's troops put their feet grass never thence grew". The Emperor accused the Polish ruler of an illegal coronation as King and declared him a usurper. This invasion involved the lands of the [[Lutici]] tribe. In October 1028, the Emperor's opportunity came as the Lutici district of Pöhlde asked the Emperor to defend against the attacks of Mieszko II, promising support in the fight against the Polish ruler.