The Saxon forces led by Eckard II, Margrave of Meissen and Bardo, bishop of Mainz, assembled at Dohna, on the left bank of the Elbe, on 15 August.
They were supposed to unite with Henry's forces before marching against Prague, but they remained in Dohna for ten days.
Instead, he negotiated a bribe, and on 24 August, the count of Bílina allowed the Saxons to move south into Bohemia across the passes of the Central Bohemian Uplands, putting up only token resistance.
Eckard passed Chlumec, and pillaged the Bohemian countryside for nine days, suffering only minor losses in a skirmish on 31 August.
At Gnevin, Eckard was reached by messengers sent by Henry, led by Gunther of Bohemia, informing him of his defeat at Brůdek and ordering him to retreat.