“ When quite a youth he married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Thomas Tresham, and was styled Lord Monteagle in right of his mother. He was allied with many Roman Catholic families, and during the reign of Elizabeth was in sympathy with their cause. He received knighthood when with Essex in Ireland in 1599, and in 1601 took part in the latter’s rebellion in London, when he was punished by imprisonment and a fine of £8000 He subsequently in 1602 joined in sending the mission to Spain inviting Philip III. to invade England. ”

“ In 1609 he was chosen a member of the council of the Virginia Company and subscribed to its funds. The same year “disorders in his house” are reported, probably referring to his harbouring of Roman Catholic students from St Omer (Cal. of St Pap: Dom: 1603–1610, p. 533) . ”