After his studies he became captain of a company in a High German regiment of the Army of Flanders, taking part in the Sieges of Antwerp, Grave, Venlo, Zutphen, Sluis, and Bergen op Zoom. Sent to the royal court in Spain by the Duke of Parma, he remained there for five years on business relating to the Low Countries and the war with France, and in 1595 was knighted by Philip II for his services.