He was summoned to Parliament during the lifetime of his father, on 6 Feb. 1298/9 by writ directed Henrico de Lancastre nepoti Regis, by which he is held to have become Lord Lancaster. He took part in the siege of Carlaverock in July 1300. He was created Earl of Leicester on 29 March 1324 and restored as Earl of Lancaster between 1324 and 1326 succeeding his older brother Thomas. On the Queen’s return to England with Roger de Mortimer in September 1326, he joined her party against King Edward II of England, which led to a general desertion of the king’s cause and overturned the power of the Spencers. He was sent in pursuit and captured the king at Neath. He was appointed to take charge of the King, and was responsible for his custody at Kenilworth.
He was also appointed guardian of the new Edward III of England, and was appointed captain-general of all the King's forces in the Marches of Scotland.
About 1330 he became blind.
He married once. (Some references claim he married Alix de Joinville, but she in fact married Henry's brother John). He married Maud Chaworth, before 2 March 1296/1297. With Maud he had seven children: