 He was first summoned as "Johannes de fitz Wauter" in 1340, and was to attend every session for the next 20 years.He was also a royal councillor, having been appointed in 1341 and serving in that capacity until 1358.In 1342 FitzWalter was one of 250 knights to take part in a great tournament held at Dustable, alongside his later partner in crime, Sir Robert Marney.