He served in France under the Earl of Arundel in March 1344 and in August 1346 was at the Battle of Crécy. He then transferred to service in Gascony under the Earl of Lancaster. In July 1352 he was made joint warden of the marches towards Scotland, and in September 1355 keeper of Roxburgh Castle and sheriff of Northumberland for two years.
Invasion of Scotland
In 1356 he took part in the invasion of Scotland that followed Edward Balliol's surrender of the kingdom and crown of Scotland to Edward III. In July 1356 he was once again joint warden of the marches and then took part in the negotiations that led to the treaty of Berwick of October 1357.
France
He participated in Edward III's military efforts in France and in September 1355 was marshal of the royal army at Calais. In 1360 he took part in Edward's campaign to capture Rheims.
Marriage
He had married twice: firstly Mary of Lancaster (d. 1362), daughter of Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster, and secondly Joan (d. 1368), the daughter and sole heiress of John, Lord Orreby.