As master justiciar of the Magna Curia from 1223 until his death, he was the most prominent official in the Sicilian court of Frederick II, King of Sicily and Holy Roman Emperor.
[1] He was a familiaris regis (member of the royal household) and a judge who sat on the Magna Curia (Great Court).
He continued to preside over the Curia until his death with the title of "master justiciar of the imperial great court".
[5] Early in his tenure, while the Magna Curia sat in Palermo on the island, Henry was "in the emperor's service" (pro imperialibus servitiis) on the mainland.
[1] In 1231, he ordered Robert of Busso to conduct an inquiry into gangs, forgers, gamblers, taverners and murderers, as well as luxurious living, carrying weapons around in public and raping women at San Germano.
[6] In 1226, Henry exercised the regency in the Duchy of Apulia while Frederick was fighting the Lombard League in northern Italy.
[1] In the autumn of 1237, Henry inspected the work on fortifications at San Germano and levied fines on those who drew away workers.