He was the fourth son of Bolko I the Strict, Duke of Jawor-Lwówek-Świdnica-Ziębice, by his wife Beatrix, daughter of Otto V the Long, Margrave of Brandenburg-Salzwedel.

Bolko II strongly resisted these plans, and in 1322 received the district of Ziębice as an independent duchy from Bernard.

The continued financial difficulties of the Duke lead him to invade and steal goods from the monasteries of Henryków and Kamieniec Ząbkowicki.

The excommunication was only removed after Bolko II paid large sums to both the Papal legate and the monasteries as compensation.

The withdrawal of the Silesian Dukes by King Casimir III the Great of Poland eliminated Bolko II's hope of building an effective power against the Bohemian Kingdom.

Bolko II's act of homage confirmed that, after the eventual extinction of the male line of the Dukes of Ziębice, the Duchy would fall under the direct rule of the King of Bohemia.