In 1424 he was accepted by the English government as one of the hostages for the payment of the ransom of James I of Scotland, apparently in place of his father, whose estate was estimated at the time as being worth six hundred merks annually.
He was sent to Pontefract Castle, and afterwards committed to the Tower of London, where he remained until 1427, when he was exchanged for Malcolm Fleming, son of the laird of Cumbernauld.
In 1451, along with the abbot of Melrose Abbey, he received a safe-conduct to allow him to make a pilgrimage to Canterbury, and in 1452 he became Master of the Household to James II.
He took an active part in parliamentary work, and in 1464 was appointed one of the lords auditors for hearing and determining civil causes.
He accompanied James III to Berwick, where he had the authority of Parliament to ratify the truce with England being negotiated at Newcastle.