 In 1586 he was Vice-Admiral of Cornwall.In the late 16th century there was concern at the threat of a Spanish invasion and he received a commission as a Colonel in 1595, in charge of 1,600 men, 
and responsible for an area of the south Devon coast from Dartmouth to Plymouth.He was appointed High Sheriff of Devon in 1595 and 1605 and returned as Member of Parliament for Devon in 1593 and between 1601 and 1611.