Though his ancestors had held lands in Norfolk for generations, their estates being centred on the village of Raynham, he was the first of his family to attain national prominence.
[1] Proceeds of his legal work were invested in rural land, extending the estates inherited from his father.
In 1469 he bought numerous holdings in Norfolk from Sir John Paston, his client who owed him a considerable sum.
In addition to his High Court duties, he sat as a justice of the peace and as an assize judge for several counties.
[1][2] He married twice, his first wife being Anne, daughter and coheiress of Sir William Brewes (Braose in archaic spelling), of Stinton Hall at Salle, and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of John Hopton, of Blythburgh, and widow of Sir John Jermy, of Metfield.