In June 1499, then described as prothonotary, he went on an embassy to Louis XII of France, and on his return occupied the position of king's secretary.
[2][5] He went to France with the king in 1513 with a hundred men, but was sent back to England when James IV of Scotland threatened war.
He took a part in the preparations for defence, strengthened Norham Castle, and wrote to Thomas Wolsey after the Battle of Flodden (1513).
[2] In 1518 he was present when Wolsey was made a papal legate, and was one of the commissioners when the Princess Mary was betrothed to the Dauphin, Francis III, Duke of Brittany.
He died on 4 February 1523 at Durham Place, London, and was buried in St John's Chapel, Westminster Abbey.