Career
Ley was knighted in 1611 by James I. He represented Devizes from 1620 to 1622 and in 1626, and was knight of the shire for Wiltshire in 1625. In 1628, he entered the House of Lords by a writ of acceleration as Baron Ley. He succeeded his father as Earl of Marlborough the following year.
Ley married Mary, daughter of Sir Arthur Capell of Hadham, by whom he had two children:
Lady Elizabeth Ley, died unmarried
James Ley, 3rd Earl of Marlborough (1618–1665).