Matthew Ley facts for kids

Matthew Ley (born 1545, died 1636) was an important English person who owned a lot of land. He was also a politician, which means he helped make laws for the country. He was a member of the House of Commons from 1597 to 1614.

Who Was Matthew Ley?

Matthew Ley was born in 1545. He was the second son of Henry Ley. Matthew became well-known as a landowner and a politician. He lived during a time when England was changing a lot.

Becoming a Landowner

In 1578, Matthew and his brother, James, bought a large estate called Brembridge. This estate was near a town called Westbury in Wiltshire. An estate like this was often called a "manor." Later, Matthew also bought another area of land called Heywood, which was north of Westbury. Owning land was very important back then. It showed a person's wealth and power.

His Time in Parliament

Matthew Ley was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Westbury in 1597. A Member of Parliament (MP) is someone who is elected to represent people in the government. They help make decisions and laws for the country. Matthew was re-elected to this important role several times. He served in Parliament in 1601, 1604, and again in 1614. This shows he was a trusted and respected leader in his community. In 1623, he also inherited more property from his brother, William.

What is Parliament?

The Parliament is a group of people who are chosen to make laws. In England, the House of Commons is one part of Parliament. It's where elected representatives discuss and vote on new rules. Being an MP meant Matthew Ley had a say in how England was run.

Family Life

Matthew Ley got married in 1602. His wife was Margaret Foster. She was the widow of Sir Humphrey Foster. Margaret's father was Mr Barret from Essex.