At eighteen he matriculated at St. John's College, Oxford, where he became a chaplain. Being ejected by the vice-chancellor, Tobias Matthew, in 1579, he went to Reims in August, was ordained at Châlons, and returned to England in June, 1580. He was indicted for high treason, 7 February, 1584, but for some reason, not tried. In January, 1585, he was sent into exile. He then spent some little time at Reims, recovering his health, and made a pilgrimage to Rome on 15 April, 1586, before returning to the English mission.