He entered Magdalen College, Oxford in 1576 and studied law at the Inner Temple.

He married Meriel, daughter of Sir Thomas Bromley, Lord Chancellor of England.

He was involved in the Rebellion of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex in 1601 and was subsequently tried for high treason, but died in the Queen's Bench prison in July 1601, having been reprieved from execution.

[1] In consequence, his estates (in Frankley, Halesowen, Hagley and Upper Arley) were forfeited to the Crown, but were restored to his widow, Meriel, on the accession of James I.

She survived him (by 28 years) and cleared the estates of debt, bringing up her children as Anglicans.