[1] His maternal grandfather, William Huddesfield, was an English statesman who served as the Attorney General for England and Wales under Edward IV and Henry VII.

[1] Despite being widely connected in Devon,[1][3] Carew's early career centred around court and the capital.

In October 1532, Carew's brother-in-law, Charles Brandon, recommended him to be the sheriff of Devon to Thomas Cromwell; but he did not hold the office for another 15 years.

In April 1538, he was imprisoned in the Compter after he and his servant had killed an adversary and seriously wounded another, but by January 1540 he was sufficiently in favour enough that he was appointed to receive Anne of Cleves at Blackheath.

[1] Following the outbreak of war with France in 1543, Carew was ordered to accompany Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, to the Netherlands, and he brought with him four horsemen and four footmen.