Edward Leeke
Sir Edward Leeke | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Derbyshire | |
| In office 1628–1629 | |
| Preceded by | Sir William Cavendish |
| Succeeded by | John Manners |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1600 Sutton Scarsdale, Derbyshire, England |
| Died | 5 July 1643 Battle of Lansdowne, near Bath, England |
| Party | Royalist |
| Parent(s) | Sir Francis Leeke, 1st Earl of Scarsdale & Anne Carey |
Sir Edward Leeke (c. 1600 – 5 July 1643) was an English landowner and politician who served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Derbyshire in 1628–1629. He was a member of the prominent Leeke family of Sutton Scarsdale, Derbyshire, and fought as a Royalist in the English Civil War, where he was killed at the Battle of Lansdowne.[1]
Early life and family
Edward Leeke was born into the influential Leeke (or Leke) family of Sutton Scarsdale.[2] He was the son of Sir Francis Leeke, 1st Earl of Scarsdale, and Anne Carey, daughter of Henry Cary of Berkhamsted. He had several siblings, including Nicholas Leeke, who later inherited the earldom, and Charles Leeke, who also fought and died as a Royalist in the Civil War at the battle of Lansdowne.[3]
The Leeke family were long-established landowners in Derbyshire, holding estates at Sutton Scarsdale Hall and the manors of Morton and surrounding areas. As a younger son of the family, Edward inherited status and influence but not the primary family estate. Leeke was knighted at an unspecified date prior to 1628, earning the title “Sir.” The knighthood reflected his family's status and allegiance to the crown.
Political career
In March 1628, Sir Edward Leeke was elected as MP for Derbyshire, serving alongside John Frescheville. He sat in the Parliament that passed the Petition of Right, a key constitutional document limiting the powers of King Charles I. His parliamentary service ended in March 1629, when Charles I dissolved Parliament, beginning his eleven-year Personal Rule.[4]
There is no record of Leeke delivering speeches or sponsoring legislation.
English Civil War and death
During the English Civil War, Sir Edward Leeke supported the Royalist cause. He fought in the Battle of Lansdowne on 5 July 1643, near Bath, where he was killed alongside his brother Charles. His death marked the end of his personal political and military contributions.[5]
References
- ^ Thrush, Ed. Andrew (2010). History of Parliament Trust. The House of Commons, 1604–1629. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-53484-1-.
- ^ Derbyshire Record Office. Manorial and estate papers of the Leeke (later Earls of Scarsdale) of Sutton Scarsdale, including court books and rentals, c. 16th–17th century. Derbyshire Record Office.
- ^ "Leeke Family".
- ^ Jansson, Maija (1977–2004). Proceedings in Parliament 1628. Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society.
- ^ Fletcher, Anthony (1981). The Outbreak of the English Civil War. Edward Arnold.