At the age of ten, his father, Bolesław, was deposed by a rebellion led by his brother, Władysław I Herman.
Mieszko was forced to leave his country and his education behind and seek refuge at the friendly court of Ladislaus I of Hungary.
Chronicler Gallus Anonymus simply states that Mieszko was peacefully summoned to Poland by his uncle Władysław I Herman.
Another version, publicized by a Hungarian chronicler, claims that in 1086 Ladislaus I of Hungary invaded the Kingdom of Poland, took control of Kraków, and installed Mieszko as its ruler.
However, sometime during this time he accepted over-lordship of his uncle Wladyslaw I Herman, and gave up his hereditary claim to the crown of Poland in exchange for becoming first in line to succeed him.