He may not have been originally intended for the church, as he was not even in subdiaconal orders when nominated Dean of York, at which time he would probably have been in his thirties.
As a result, on 5 December, Henry, along with treasurer Bouchard du Puiset, was among the ones to unsuccessfully appeal to the Pope against Geoffrey's election.
[2] In February 1194, when Richard the Lionheart returned to England from the third crusade, an election was held to nominate a new bishop of Exeter, a title vacant since 1191.
Hubert Walter, Richard's regent and Archbishop of Canterbury, would have also approved the election as he and Henry came from the same circle.
When king John Lackland succeeded Richard, Henry paid 300 marks for tax exemption and for the confirmation of his properties.