Mieszko the Younger time in 1166 or 1167 in a document signed between Mieszko III and Casimir II the Just at the congress in Jędrzejów as one of the sons of the Duke of Greater Poland. Between 1177 and 1179, as a result of the revolt against his father, Mieszko, with his parents and siblings, were exiled from Poland. They probably returned to the country in 1181, when Mieszko III regained the rule over Greater Poland. In 1184 and thanks to the wise diplomatic affairs of his father, Mieszko the Younger was appointed by the sickly Duke Leszek Governor of the Masovian-Kuyavian principality,
Mieszko I of Poland to the Warta River). In all probability Mieszko decided to pay tribute in order to avoid an invasion similar to the one that Lusatia had suffered. This homage would take place in 965, or in 966 at the latest. Very likely the tribute applied only to the Lubusz land, which was in the German sphere of influence. This understanding of the tribute issue explains why already in 967 Mieszko I was described in the Saxon chronicles as the Emperor's friend (or ally, supporter, Latin: "amicus imperatoris"). Probably in 964 Mieszko began negotiations with the Bohemian ruler Boleslav I the Cruel.