He was the fifth but third surviving son of Boleslaus III of Poland by his second wife Salomea, daughter of Henry, Count of Berg, from whom he received his name.
This incursion in the Crusades was short because in 1149, together with his older brother Boleslaus IV, he took part in a military expedition in Kiev to support the Grand Prince Iziaslav II.
However, there is a legend, where Henry apparently was killed in the current Wąbrzeźno County, probably in the vicinity of Nielub or Orłowo, close to the Wieczno Lake.
The destiny of the Duchy of Sandomierz could be shown in a document dated 31 December 1167: The other two parts were taken by the other surviving brothers: Wiślica, was given to Kazimiez II, and the rest to Mieszko III the Old.
His remains were probably buried in a crypt of a church in Wiślica, where his grave is marked by an ornamental tombstone donated by his younger brother Kazimierz II.