Mieszko I, Duke of Cieszyn brothers in the consent of the foundation of a Cistercian abbey in Rudy. After his father's death in 1282, and according to the custom during the fragmentation of Poland, Mieszko and his brothers divided the Duchy of Opole-Racibórz between them: Mieszko and his youngest brother Przemysław received together the district of Racibórz as co-rulers. The other two brothers, Casimir and Bolko I, received Opole. Because Przemysław was still a minor at that time, Mieszko ruled alone until he attained his majority, in 1284. In 1285 Mieszko politically supported the Bishop of Wrocław, Thomas II Zaremba against Henry IV Probus, providing
Mieszko I, Duke of Cieszyn shelter to the Bishop in Raciborz. His politics against Henry IV were reinforced when the Duke of Wrocław repudiated his wife Constance —sister of Mieszko— and sent her back to her homeland. Another consequence of Mieszko's politics was an armed expedition of Henry IV in 1287 against Racibórz, who was sieged. Then Mieszko was forced to refuse his help to the Bishop. In 1290 the division was made of the Duchy of Racibórz: Przemysław retained Racibórz and Mieszko obtained the rule over the districts of Cieszyn, Oświęcim and Zator. The first time that he signed himself as Duke of Cieszyn