Family and Education
b. 1550, 6th s. of Henry Ley (d.1574) of Bere Ferrers, Devon and Teffont Evias, Wilts. by Dionysia, da. and coh. of Walter Seymour; bro. of Matthew. educ. Queens’, Camb. 1571; Brasenose, Oxf. BA 3 Feb. 1574; L. Inn 1577, called 1584, bencher 1600, Lent reader 1602, governor 1609-22. m. (1) 2 June 1590, Mary, 1st da. of John Pettie of Stoke Talmage, Oxon. by Elizabeth, da. and h. of Thomas Snape of Fawler, Oxon., 3s. 7 or 8da.; (2) lic. London 13 Feb. 1618, Mary (bur. 5 Oct. 1618), da. and coh. of Thomas Preison of Westminster, wid. of (Sir) William Bowyer III of Denham, Bucks.; (3) 4 July 1621, Jane, 3rd da. of John, 1st Baron Boteler of Brantfield by Elizabeth, da. of Sir George Villiers. Kntd. 8 Oct. 1603; cr. Bt. 20 July 1619, Baron Ley of Ley 31 Dec. 1624; Earl of Marlborough 5 Feb. 1626.
Offices Held
Serjeant-at-law, Nov. 1603; 2nd justice of Carm. Pemb. and Card. June 1603–4; c.j. King’s bench [I] 1604 – 08; commr. of great seal [I] Apr. – Nov. 1605; commr. for Ulster plantation, 1608; attorney of court of wards Nov. 1608; c.j. King’s bench 29 Jan. 1622 – 20 Dec. 1624; Speaker, House of Lords and jt. commr. of great seal May-July 1621; PC 20 Dec. 1624; ld. high treasurer Dec. 1624 – July 1628; high steward, Yarmouth 1625 – d.; jt. commr. for coronation claims Jan. 1626; ld. pres. of council July – Dec. 1628; chief commr. to treat with ambassadors from States-General Feb. 1628.
J.p.q. Wilts. from 1601.
Parlimentarian
Main residence: Westbury, Wilts.
Volume
Commons 1558-1603
Web Title
LEY, James (1550-1629)
Will
Estates
Oxford 1644
No
Addresses
Religion
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