In 1624 the scheme for the ‘Spanish Marriage’ collapsed and the Earl of Bristol was recalled to England where through the machinations of the Duke of Buckingham he was disgraced. Sir Lewis apparently returned at the same time, for in the same year he married a young Dorsetshire widow, Howarda, eldest daughter of Sir John Strangways of Melbury Sampford by Grace daughter of Sir John Trenchard; she had first married Edward Rogers of Bryanston, who died in 1622. In 1625, Beatrice the first child of the marriage was born and christened at Melbury, where Sir Lewis appears to have made his home for several years.

He next ventured into politics, and in the first Parliament of Charles I was one of the members for Bridport. In the Parliament of 1626 he was again one of the members for the same town. His election met with some opposition from the all-powerful Duke of Buckingham, and in the State Papers there is a reference to a letter from the bailiffs and twelve inhabitants of Bridport to the Duke, in which they state that “they had returned to Parliament Sir Richd. Strode, whom the Duke had recommended to them, and would have returned Mr. Clarke, but two days before the receipt of the Duke’s letter they passed their promise to Sir Lewis Dive.” The Duke however was not so easily put off and on 17 February 1626 a petition was read in the House concerning a corrupt Election by the Bailiffs of Bridport, and Sir Richard Strode (Buckingham’s successful nominee), when pressed to name who was so chosen, named Sir Lewis, and the matter was then committed for examination to the Committee for Privileges. On 21st however the Journals of the House record:—

Sir Lewys Dyve moveth the House will take Consideration of the Petition exhibited by Sir Richard Strode against him, for giving a Reward to the Borough of (Bridport) to be chosen.

• 1. Upon Question, the Matter to be ended here, and not to be referred to the Committee for Privileges.

• 2. Upon Question, no further Witnesses to be heard for Proof of the Matters objected against Sir. L. Dyve.