In 1204, when Henry was twelve, his father died and he was committed to the care of
Thomas Basset of Headington,
Oxfordshire whose family were at the time lords of
Wootton (later Royal Wootton Bassett). It was during this time that
John, King of England had seized his estates in the
Gower in South
Wales and gave them to
William de Braose. This led to constant disputes between succeeding Earls and the Braose family. In 1213 he paid two hundred and four marks, eight shillings
scutage towards the cost of the war in Wales, and the following year contributed forty two marks to that in Poictou (
Poitou),
France. He soon after however chose to fight and joined the court of
King John's side and commanded the Royal Army. He fought for
Henry III at the siege of
Mountsorrel (1217),
Bytham and at the storming of
Lincoln. == Family and children ==