[citation needed] He became involved in court scandal and rivalry through the actions of his elder sister, Anne.

He distinguished himself on two occasions, once in an attack on a sconce near Arnhem in October 1585, and again in 1587 with Lord Willoughby to fight the Marques del Guasto.

[citation needed] Following military service he was a gentleman pensioner until the death of the Queen at Richmond Palace in March 1603.

In 1604 he was appointed Knight Marshal of the Household, a role confirmed to him for life in 1612 but, according to John Chamberlain, he sold the right for £3,000, in 1618, two years before his death.

[1] Vavasour's wealth and connection to the court allowed the construction of Ham House in 1610 on land belonging to the Crown.