Henry XI was chosen as the new Duke of Legnica, but because he was only twelve years old, regents were appointed by the Duchy, the Imperial governor, and the Bishop of Wrocław, Balthasar von Promnitz and George II the Pious, Duke of Brzeg (Frederick III's younger brother), in whose court Henry spent several years studying science.

Given the failure of the proposals, Henry XI decided to keep in captivity the representatives of the Legnica states until they signed an agreement to pay taxes for almost 66 000 thalers.

During his absence Legnica was administrated by his younger brother Frederick IV, who in December 1571 was named co-ruler of the Duchy, but still remained in his ward.

The trip lasted three years, during which Henry XI visited several cities including: Prague (where he took part of the coronation of Emperor Rudolf II as King of Bohemia on 22 September 1575), Worms, Regensburg, Augsburg, Heidelberg, Mainz, Speyer, Ingolstadt, Prague again, Cieszyn, Nuremberg, Strasbourg, Frankfurt, Cologne and Leipzig.

However, Henry XI refused to obey the Imperial order and remained at the side of the Prince of Condé, who give him a payment of his services.

In May 1576 after the signing of the Peace of Bealieu, the religious war in France ended and with this also the services of Henry XI in the French army.

Special Commissioners under imperial decree of 13 March 1576 declared Frederick IV as the new rule of Legnica, who formally took possession of the government one month later, on 17 April.

The commitment of Frederick IV to pay the debts of both his brother and father and his characterized rule of prudence and economy didn't like to the Legnica nobility, accustomed to the "generous" previous rulers.

However, not being able to wait to settle a dispute about the Legnica patrimony, Henry XI mastered the Grodziec Castle, where he began to harass the states of his brother.

Despite attempts to mediate, this situation lasted several months, until Frederick IV finally won the battle and the government of Legnica as a sole ruler.

At that time, Henry XI's wife, Sophie of Hohenzollern, desperately asked Emperor Rudolf II for the restitution of her husband.

On 5 October 1580, Rudolf II cancelled the decree of 17 April 1576 and restitute Henry XI as a rule of Legnica; however, he was compelled to share the government with his brother.

Despite several months of the Imperial Decree who restored him, Henry XI wasn't required to paid homage to the Emperor, and also did not participate in the Silesian sejmach.

On 7 June 1581, a punish military expedition was created, led by the Imperial Governor of Silesia and Bishop of Wrocław, Marcin Gerstmann.

Therefore, began the negotiations between both parties, which have resulted in Henry XI agreed to pay tribute to Karl II, Duke of Ziębice-Olésnica (Münsterberg-Öls), and also to appear before the Emperor in Prague.

He was pursued by the troops of the new Bishop of Wrocław, Andrew Jerin and his own uncle George II the Pious, Duke of Brzeg.

However, they didn't have success, and after four days digging through forests, Henry XI managed to flee to Poland, where he spent the rest of his life.

Eventually, thanks to the efforts of his family and many Silesians, on 9 November 1588 the coffin was finally placed in the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Kraków.