14 Facts About Peter Leycester

Sir Peter Leycester, 1st Baronet was an English antiquarian and historian.

Peter Leycester was involved in the English Civil War on the royalist side and was made a baronet.

Peter Leycester later compiled one of the earliest histories of the county of Cheshire and as a result of this became involved in a controversy with the Mainwaring family.

Peter Leycester developed a library in his home at Tabley Old Hall and made improvements to the house and estate, including building a private chapel in the grounds of the house.

Peter Leycester was an active and conscientious justice of the peace and used his position on the Bench to expound his staunchly conservative and Royalist political views.

Peter Leycester was born at Nether Tabley, near Knutsford, Cheshire, England, the eldest son of Peter Leycester and Elizabeth Mainwaring, a daughter of Sir Randle Mainwaring of Over Peover, Cheshire.

Peter Leycester entered Brasenose College, Oxford in 1629 as a gentleman commoner but did not take a degree.

Peter Leycester was created a baronet in 1660 as a reward for his loyalty to the royalist cause.

Peter Leycester replied later that year with An Answer to the Book of Sir Thomas Manwaringe.

Peter Leycester produced a musical treatise entitled Prolegomena historica de musica P L and a theological dissertation On the soul of man.

Peter Leycester assembled a manuscript titled Lessons for the Lyra Viol.

Peter Leycester died at his home in 1678 and was buried at Great Budworth, Cheshire.

Peter Leycester's memorial is in the north chapel of St Mary and All Saints Church, Great Budworth.

Peter Leycester was succeeded in the baronetage by his eldest son, Sir Robert Leicester.