Henry was the son of Herman I, count of Gleiberg.
The emperor named Henry count palatine of the Rhine and during the emperor's trip to Italy tasked Henry to hold interim judicial councils.
[2] Henry married Herman's widow, Adelaide of Weimar-Orlamünde (d.
As a consequence, the geographic center of the palatinate moved towards the south.
With his wife, Adelaide, Henry founded the Maria Laach Abbey.