Sir James was brought up in the law, in which profession he gained noton ly great repute, but also considerable fortune. He was Lendt Readerat Linc oln's Inn in 1478, Attorney General to King Henry VII in 1487,a memb er of the King's Privy Council, and made a Knight of the Swordon Februa ry 18, 1504 on the occasion of Prince Henry being made Princeof Wales.