Mieszko III the Old attention of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, who offered his help in his restoration on the Polish throne after a payment of 10,000 pieces of silver, a sum that Mieszko couldn't reunited. Finally in Pomerania, his other son-in-law Duke Bogislaw I accepted to help him. By the agency of his Pomeranian allies, Mieszko forged his links with their Polish followers, grouped around Zdzisław, Archbishop of Gniezno and in 1181 was able to conquer the eastern Greater Polish lands of Gniezno and Kalisz, which until then had been part of the Seniorate Province. Soon after, Mieszko also managed to recover western Greater Poland.
Mieszko II the Fat and was succeeded by his son Henry II the Pious, who also assumed the regency over Opole-Racibórz. Shortly after, Mieszko II began to claim the government of their lands. It is unknown exactly when Mieszko II took over the rule over Opole-Racibórz, but this has been probably in late 1238 or early 1239 (who is more likely). One of the first politic decisions of Mieszko II was his marriage with Judith (b. 1222/25 – d. 4 December 1257/65?), daughter of Duke Konrad I of Masovia, who gave to the Duke of Opole-Racibórz greater autonomy in his rule. Mieszko II's mother