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'Zbigniew' (after 1070 – 1112) was the first-born son of Władysław I Herman and Przecława. Originally destined for the clergy, he spent some dozen years at the cloister in Quedlinburg (now in Germany's Saxony-Anhalt).
In 1093 he was brought to Poland by powerful lords opposed to Władysław Herman's all-powerful ''wojewoda'' Sieciech. In 1098 Zbigniew and his younger brother Bolesław Wrymouth prevailed on their father to banish Sieciech and give them separate provinces. In 1102 – 1106 Zbigniew was high duke of Poland.
In 1107 Zbigniew was chased from the country by his half-brother Bolesław III Wrymouth, and he sought help from Holy Roman Emperor Henry V. In 1109 Zbigniew joined the Emperor's campaign against Poland, which ended in Bolesław's victory at the Battle of Hundsfeld.
In 1112 Zbigniew was lured back to Poland, where Bolesław had him blinded. Soon after, Zbigniew died.
"Zbigniew" remains a common Polish male first name up to the present, known internationally especially due to Zbigniew Brzezinski, National Security Advisor to US President Jimmy Carter

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★ History of Poland (966-1385)