A quarrel broke out in Poland over the succession, with Bořivoj and his cousin Svatopluk supporting Zbigniew against Bolesław III Wrymouth.

In that year, Bořivoj's younger brother Vladislaus rebelled and, with Coloman's help, took Prague.

Svatopluk, who had recently captured and been forced to release Bořivoj by Emperor Henry V, was proclaimed king.

Svatopluk was murdered on this campaign by supporters of Bořivoj, but he could not regain the throne, which went to Vladislaus.

In 1117, the brothers were reconciled and they ruled the duchy jointly (though divided) until 1120, when a new disagreement led Bořivoj to self-exile in Hungary, where he died on 2 February 1124.