He was born in Evesham, Worcestershire, England, the son of Thomas Watson and Agnes née Weeks.
[4] A few years later, while remaining canon (but now under the reign of Queen Mary), he additionally[3] became rector of Kelshall (until 1578)[5] and of Winchfield (until 1561)[5] in April 1554.
[3] Watson paid Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, 200 pounds to lobby for him not being made a bishop.
[14] Because he had served under Queen Mary, Watson was sometimes suspected of leniency towards catholics, but evidence of his tenure as bishop shows he was engaged in suppressing papism.
The burial stone of Bishop Watson is in Winchester Cathedral on the north side of the nave in the 5th bay westward from the tower pillars.