He was educated at Eton College and King's College, Cambridge and graduated B.A. in 1509 and M.A. in 1511.[2]
He was appointed:
- Vicar of Elmdon, Essex 1518
- Vicar of St Michael's Church, Bray 1522–1551
- Vicar of South Petherton, Somerset, 1533–1548
- Prebendary of Lichfield 1534–1546
- Prebendary of Netheravon in Salisbury 1534
- Rector of Taplow, Buckinghamshire 1537–1551
- Prebendary of Lincoln 1544
He was appointed to the first stall in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in 1535, and held the stall until 1551.
Symonds was considered to be a prime candidate for the subject of the proverbial character, "The Vicar of Bray".[3]
