He was the eldest son of Bolesław I the Brave, King of Poland, but was deprived from the succession by his father, who around 1001 was sent him to Italy, where he became a monk in one of Saint Romuald's hermitages in Ravenna.
He was the firstborn son of Bolesław I the Brave, King of Poland by his second wife Judith, daughter of Geza of Hungary. Around 1001 he was sent to Italy, where he became a monk in one of Saint Romuald's hermitages in Ravenna.