Mieszko I Tanglefoot in 1163, and thanks to the intervention of the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, Mieszko and his older brother Bolesław I the Tall returned to Silesia. Mieszko and Bolesław I the Tall co-ruled the Duchy of Wrocław during the period 1163–1173. At first, their rule did not extend over the major Silesian cities, which remained under the control of Bolesław IV the Curly, the current High Duke of Poland. The brothers retook them in the year 1165, taking advantage of Bolesław IV's involvement in a crusade against the Prussians. However, soon Mieszko began his efforts to obtain his own Duchy, maybe in
Mieszko Kazimierzowic "Gesta principum Polonorum" written in the early 12th century, put Mieszko third in order, among his brother. Modern historian, Janusz Bieniak, has supposed that Mieszko was the second son of Casimir I and was older than Władysław Herman, but most scholars disagree with this hypothesis. The date of Mieszko's birth was given by "Rocznik krakowski" (Kraków Annals). This source omitted dates of birth of Mieszko's brothers. Kazimierz Jasiński thought that "Rocznik" was started shortly before Mieszko's birth and this was the reason for absence of his older brothers. Przemysław Wiszewski supposed tha Casimir I chose Mieszko as his successor and