He was reputed to have been the King's Champion but his grandson, Phillip, is the first Marmion to have a solid claim to this.

He was an itinerant justice for Warwickshire and Leicestershire in 1187-1188, Staffordshire in 1187–1192, Shropshire in 1187–1194, Herefordshire in 1188–1190, Worcestershire in 1189, Gloucestershire in 1189–1191 and 1193, and Bristol in 1194.

During the early years of John's reign he was in attendance on the king in Normandy.

He sided with the barons against the king, but after John's death rejoined the royal party under the nine-year old Henry III.

He gave a mill at Barston, Warwickshire, to the Templars, and was a benefactor of Kirkstead Abbey, Lincolnshire.