Editing Bolesław III Wrymouth (section)

==Youth==

===Division of the country===
In view of his father's disapproval, and after discovering the plans of [[Sieciech]] and Duchess Judith-Sophia to take over the country [[Zbigniew of Poland|Zbigniew]] gained an ally in the young duke  Bolesław. Both brothers demanded that the reins of government be handed over to them. It is difficult to believe, however, that Bolesław was making independent decisions at this point as he was only 12 years of age. It is postulated that at this stage he was merely a pawn in service of the Baron's power struggle. [[Władysław I Herman]], however, agreed to divide the realm between the brothers,<ref>According to K. Maleczyński, Bolesław and Zbigniew received separated districts already in 1093, and the first actual division of the Principality took in a few years later; K. Maleczyński: ''Bolesław III Krzywousty'', pp. 34–35. In 1093, Władysław I admitted, ''inter alia'', to give [[Kłodzko]] to Bolesław (hypothesis presented by G. Labuda). R. Gładkiewicz (ed.): ''Kłodzko: dzieje miasta''. Kłodzko 1998, p. 34. {{ISBN|83-904888-0-9}}.</ref> each to be granted his own province while the duke – Władysław I himself – kept control of [[Mazovia]] and its capital at [[Płock]]. Władysław also retained control of the most important cities, ''i.e.'', [[Wrocław]], [[Kraków]] and [[Sandomierz]].<ref>S. Szczur: ''Historia Polski – średniowiecze'', p. 119.</ref><ref>Zbigniew he should rule over Mazovia after the death of his father. This district, along with the towns inherited by Bolesław (Wroclaw, Krakow and Sandomierz) had to ensure the future control and full authority over the state. R. Grodecki, S. Zachorowski, J. Dąbrowski: ''Dzieje Polski średniowiecznej'', vol. I, pp. 131–132.</ref> Zbigniew's province encompassed [[Greater Poland]] including [[Gniezno]], [[Kuyavia]], [[Łęczyca]] Land and [[Sieradz]] Land. Bolesław's territory included [[Lesser Poland]], [[Silesia]] and [[Lubusz Land]].<ref>Historians presented different views on the division of the country. R. Grodecki think that first division took place during the reign of Władysław I (in 1097–98) and the second after his death in 1102, under the arbitration of Archbishop Martin I of Gniezno. R. Grodecki, S. Zachorowski, J. Dąbrowski: ''Dzieje Polski średniowiecznej'', vol. I, pp- 131–135. G. Labuda believes that the division occurred around 1097, but only when Bolesław had completed 12 years. G. Labuda: ''Korona i infuła. Od monarchii do poliarchii'', Kraków:1996, pp. 16–69. {{ISBN|83-03-03659-9}}. K. Maleczyński placed the date of the first division around 1099. J. Wyrozumski: ''Historia Polski do roku 1505'', Warszaw 1984, p. 101. {{ISBN|83-01-03732-6}}.</ref>

The division of the country under Bolesław and Zbigniew's co-rule greatly alarmed [[Sieciech]], who then began preparing to dispose of the brothers altogether. Sieciech understood that the division of the country would undermine his position.<ref name="Szczur, p. 120">S. Szczur: ''Historia Polski – średniowiecze'', p. 120.</ref> He initiated a military settlement of the issue and he gained the duke's support for it.<ref>M. K. Barański: ''Dynastia Piastów w Polsce'', p. 184.</ref> The position of Władysław I is seen as ambiguous as he chose to support Sieciech's cause instead of his sons'.<ref>These events are described, inter alia, in the publication of Zdzisław S. Pietras, "''Bolesław Krzywousty''". See Z. S. Pietras: ''Bolesław Krzywousty'', Cieszyn 1978, pp. 45–60.</ref>

===Fight against Sieciech===
In response to Sieciech's preparations Bolesław and Zbigniew entered into an alliance at a popular assembly or [[Wiec]] organized in [[Wrocław]] by a magnate named [[Skarbimir]] of the Awdaniec family. There it was decided to remove the current guardian of Bolesław, a noble named Wojslaw who was a relative of [[Sieciech]], and arrange for an expedition against the Palatine. Subsequently, in 1099, the armies of Sieciech and duke Herman encountered the forces of Zbigniew and Bolesław near [[Żarnowiec, Greater Poland Voivodeship|Żarnowiec]] by the river [[Pilica (river)|Pilica]]. There the forces of Bolesław and Zbigniew defeated Sieciech's army, and [[Władysław I Herman]] was obliged to permanently remove Sieciech from the position of [[Count Palatine]].<ref name="Szczur, p. 120"/> In the same year, at Christmas, Bolesław concluded a short-lived peace with Bohemia in [[Žatec]].<ref>The excuse for this conflict by Władysław I was the absence of regulation in the payment of tribute to Bohemia. For Bretislaus II, was the loss of Kamień and Barda. K. Maleczyński: ''Bolesław III Krzywousty'', p. 28.</ref> According to Cosmas, Bolesław was appointed [[Miecznik]] (en: ''Sword-bearer'') of his uncle [[Bretislaus II, Duke of Bohemia]]. In addition, the young duke would be paid the amount of 100 pieces of fine silver and 10 talents of gold annually as a tribute to Bohemia (it was about the land of Silesia, for which he paid tribute to Władysław I).<ref>''Kosmasa Kronika Czechów'', vol. III, cap. IX, p. 97.</ref>

The rebel forces then headed to [[Sieciechów, Masovian Voivodeship|Sieciechów]],<ref>P. Jasienica: ''Polska Piastów'', p. 116.</ref> where the Palatine took refuge. Unexpectedly, duke Władysław came to the aid of his besieged favorite with a small force. At this point, the dukes decided to depose their father. The opposition sent Zbigniew with an armed contingent to [[Masovia]], where he was to take control of [[Płock]], while Bolesław was directed to the South to encircle Władysław's forces. Władysław, however, predicted this maneuver and sent his forces back to Masovia. In the environs of Płock the battle was finally joined and the forces of Władysław I were defeated. The duke was thereafter forced to send Sieciech into exile.<ref>Z. S. Pietras: ''Bolesław Krzywousty'', p. 58.</ref> The Palatine left Poland around 1100/1101<ref name="Szczur, p. 120"/> and spent time in German territory. He eventually returned to Poland but never played a political role again. He may have been blinded.<ref name="Piernikarczyk"/>