 He was under-sheriff of Nottinghamshire from about 1387 to 1391, during which time he was returned as MP for Nottingham in 1388 and 1391.He was mayor of the town in 1402-3 and recorder 1407-10.In the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, Thoroton mentions lands in 'Maperley Closes' being in the possession of members of families called Staples, Querneby and Blyth ("q.v.