Family and Education

b. c.1573. m. Jane, at least 1da. d.v.p.1 d. 31 Oct. 1641.

Offices Held

Freeman, Leicester 1596;2 churchwarden, St. Martin, Leicester, 1599-1600;3 common councilman, Leicester by 1603-c.1608,4 chamberlain 1604-5, alderman by 1608-d., coroner 1609-10, steward of the fair 1609-10, 1614-15, 1617-18, 1627-8, 1636-7, collector subsidy 1610, mayor 1615-16, 1625-6, 1634-5;5 commr. subsidy 1621-2, 1624;6 collector, Privy Seal loan, Leics. 1625-6.7

Biography

Ive’s origins are obscure. Described as a stranger when he obtained the freedom of Leicester in 1596 at the age of 23, he set up as a vintner and became one of the town’s wealthiest citizens, playing a leading part in municipal affairs. In 1614 he was listed as willing to pay 26s. towards the Benevolence and in the same year helped Sir William Heyricke* to provide an annual Whit Monday sermon at the Newarke hospital.8 He was returned in 1624 for Leicester, when the borough decided to disregard the 5th earl of Huntingdon’s nomination of (Sir) George Hastings*. His only committee was on a private bill for the care of a lunatic named Bonnington, to which he was added on 28 Apr. 1624.9 Ive sought re-election in 1625 but this time lost to Hastings. He stood again at the fresh election held on 22 July caused by the decision of Hastings’ colleague, (Sir) Humphrey May, to waive Leicester and sit for Lancaster, but was defeated by Thomas Jermyn*.10

Ive compounded for knighthood at £20 in 1631,11 remained active in local government, and made a number of charitable donations to the town. In 1638 he gave the corporation lands sufficient to provide yearly payments of £5 to Trinity hospital, 8s. to Wygeston’s hospital, £4 for gowns for eight poor widows and £4 to buy bread for the poor.12 He died on 31 Oct. 1641, aged 68, and was buried in St. Martin’s, Leicester.13 In his will, dated 14 Aug., he left £5 for the repair of the church of St. Martin’s, £6 for the poor of Leicester and 20s. to apprentice four boys in London. The residue of his estate went to his grandson, William Inge. The will was proved on 20 December.14

Ref Volumes: 1604-1629

Authors: Paula Watson / Ben Coates

Notes

• 1. Nichols, County of Leicester, i. 599; PROB 11/187, f. 341.
• 2. H. Hartopp, Reg. Freemen of Leicester, 93.
• 3. Accts. of Churchwardens of St. Martin’s, Leicester ed. T. North, 142.
• 4. Recs. of Bor. of Leicester ed. M. Beatson, iii. 462.
• 5. Recs. of Bor. of Leicester ed. H. Stock, iv. 66, 238, 598-603; E401/2415.
• 6. C212/22/20-1, 23.
• 7. APC, 1626, p. 167.
• 8. VCH Leics. iv. 82; Recs. of Bor. of Leicester ed. Stock, iv. 55, 145, 157-8.
• 9. CJ, i. 992a.
• 10. Leics. RO, BR2/18/15, ff. 557, 598. Info. from Dr. Catherine Patterson.
• 11. E178/5404.
• 12. VCH Leics. iv. 411.
• 13. Nichols, i. 599.
• 14. PROB 11/187, f. 341.