Henry, Count of Malta inherited the fief from Guglielmo Grasso in 1203, apparently because he was his son-in-law and the latter had no sons. He used the islands in his exploits throughout the Mediterranean, in his enterprise as a major corsair. It seems that he was employed in pirating activities against mainly Venetian and Arab vessels, but also seems to have been active in internal strife in Sicily. At around 1218 though, he was also elevated to the rank of Admiral for the King of Sicily. It seems that at around 1221 he may have lost the fief due to dispute with the crown. Whether he regained it or not is not known.