Ignatius Jordan

Ignatius Jordain (1561 – 15 July 1640) was an English merchant and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1621 and 1629.

Biography Jordain was born at Lyme Regis, the son of William Jordain and his wife Elizabeth Ryder. He was baptised at Lyme Regis on 17 August 1561. When he was young he was sent by his friends to Exeter, to be brought up as merchant. In 1576, his employer sent him to Guernsey, where he was converted to puritanism. In 1599 he was appointed bailiff of Exeter. He became a member of the corporation in 1608 and was receiver of Exeter in 1610 and Sheriff of Exeter in 1611. In 1617 he became mayor of Exeter. In parliament, Jourdain succeeded in having bills passed penalising adultery, Sabbath-breaking and swearing.

Jordain was a devout puritan. He was said to have read the Bible at least 20 times and Acts and Monuments seven times. He attempted to introduce temperance legislation and was considered the scourge of the alehouses in Exeter. When the proclamation regarding rebellious practices in Scotland was read in Exeter Cathedral in 1639, he was one of three men who put their hats on in protest. His cousin, John Jourdain, became president of the East India Company's Council in India.