Editing Bolesław III Wrymouth (section)

===Position of Sieciech in Poland===
In 1090 Polish forces under Sieciech's command managed to gain control of [[Gdańsk Pomerania]], albeit for a short time. Major towns were garrisoned by Polish troops, and the rest were burned in order to thwart future resistance. Several months later, however, a rebellion of native elites led to the restoration of the region's independence from Poland.<ref>S. Szczur believes that the plans of Sieciech to impose the Polish administration by force allowed the rapid integration with Poland; S. Szczur: ''Historia Polski – średniowiecze'', pp. 117–118.</ref> The following year a punitive expedition was organized, in order to recover Gdańsk Pomerania. The campaign was decided at the battle of the [[Wda River]], where the Polish knights suffered a defeat despite the assistance of Bohemian troops.<ref>M. Spórna, P. Wierzbicki: ''Słownik władców Polski i pretendentów do tronu polskiego'', p. 445.</ref>

[[Image:Reception of Jews in Poland 1096.jpg|thumb|right|Reception of Jews in Poland in 1096, Painting by Jan Matejko.]]

Duke Bolesław's childhood happened at a time when a massive emigration from Poland was taking place<ref>M. K. Barański: ''Dynastia Piastów w Polsce'', p. 182.</ref> due to Sieciech's political repression.<ref>K. Maleczyński: ''Bolesław III Krzywousty'', p. 26.</ref><ref name="RGrodecki129"/> Most of the elites who became political refugees found safe haven in Bohemia. Another consequence of Sieciech's political persecution was the kidnapping of Zbigniew by Sieciech's enemies and his return from abroad in 1093.<ref name="RGrodecki129"/> Zbigniew took refuge in [[Silesia]], a stronghold of negative sentiment for both Sieciech and his nominal patron Władysław I Herman.<ref name="RGrodecki129"/><ref>In the return of Zbigniew to Poland also involved [[Bretislaus II, Duke of Bohemia]]; M. K. Barański: ''Dynastia Piastów w Polsce'', pp. 182–183.</ref> In the absence of Sieciech and Bolesław, who were captured by Hungarians, duke Władysław I then undertook a penal expedition to Silesia, which was unsuccessful and subsequently obliged him to recognize Zbigniew as a legitimate heir.<ref name="RGrodecki129"/> In 1093 Władysław I signed an Act of Legitimization which granted Zbigniew the rights of descent from his line. Zbigniew was also granted the right to succeed to the throne. Following [[Sieciech]] and Bolesław's escape from [[Hungary]], an expedition against Zbigniew was mounted by the Count Palatine. Its aim was to nullify the Act of Legitimization. The contestants met at the [[battle of Gopło]] in 1096, where Sieciech's forces annihilated the supporters of Zbigniew. Zbigniew himself was taken prisoner, but regained his freedom a year later, in May 1097, due to the intervention of the bishops.<ref>L. Korczak: ''Władysław I Herman'' [in]: ''Piastowie. Leksykon biograficzny'', Kraków 1999, p. 65. {{ISBN|83-08-02829-2}}.</ref><ref>The release of Zbigniew took place during the consecration of [[Gniezno Cathedral]]; M. K. Barański:'' Dynastia Piastów w Polsce'', p. 183.</ref> At the same time his rights, guaranteed by the Act of Legitimization, were reinstated.<ref>R. Grodecki, S. Zachorowski, J. Dąbrowski: ''Dzieje Polski średniowiecznej'', vol. I, p. 131.</ref>

Simultaneously a great migration of [[Jews]] from Western Europe to Poland began circa 1096, around the time of the [[First Crusade]]. The tolerant rule of [[Władysław I Herman]] attracted the Jews who were permitted to settle throughout the entire kingdom without restrictions. The Polish duke took great care of the Hebrew Diaspora, as he understood its positive influence on the growth of the country's economy.<ref>M. Bałaban: ''Historia i literatura żydowska ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem historii Żydów w Polsce'', vol. I-III, Lwów 1925, p. 72.</ref> The new Jewish citizens soon gained the trust of the gentiles during the rule of Bolesław III.