He was the Governor of St Briavels Castle in 1291, became the Admiral of the North between 1294 and 1297,[1] burning Cherbourg in 1295, and was created 1st Lord Botetourt on 13 July 1305.

In 1304 he received a commission under the great seal to hear and determine the causes of a violent quarrel between the mayor and burgesses of Bristol and Lord Thomas of Berkeley and his son Maurice.

On 22 September 1306, a force led by Botetourt and Sir John de Menteith laid siege to Dunaverty Castle on the Mull of Kintyre in the apparent belief that Robert I, King of Scots had taken refuge there.

A record of compensation paid to owners for the loss of horses on 12 March 1307 suggests that this force may have suffered a defeat at the hands of the Scots.

After Flanders rose in rebellion against France in the summer of 1315, six of his ships took to the North Sea to assist the French against the Flemings.