[1] Intended for the profession of a country attorney, he became an articled clerk with a Norwich law firm, before spending a year in London to complete his legal education.

[2] Having made the acquaintance of William Windham, he became that gentleman's agent in the general election of 1802, and a permanent friendship was established between them.

[1] Windham lost his seat in Norwich, which he had held for eighteen years, but was impressed by Amyot's abilities,[2] and when he became war and colonial minister in 1806, he appointed him his private secretary.

[2] He thus acquired a position of independence, and he devoted the rest of his life to the illustration of English history through the medium of archaeology.

Besides those above mentioned, his writings include a description of Tewkesbury Abbey contributed to Vetusta Monumenta (vol.