Sir Robert Peake

Sir Robert Peake (1592? – 1667) was a print-seller and royalist. A grandson of Robert Peake the elder, he was knighted in 1645 for his service as a member of the garrison of Basing House. He was exiled for refusing the oath of allegiance to the Protector Oliver Cromwell. After the Restoration he was appointed vice-president and leader of the Honourable Artillery Company. He published a number of engravings by William Faithorne.^[1][2]

Biography

Robert Peake published a number of engravings by William Faithorne, who, after studying for three years under John Payne, returned to work under his former master's son.^[3]

When the Civil War broke out Peake took up arms on the royal side. He, Faithorne, and Wenceslaus Hollar the engraver were all among the besieged in Basing House, of which Peake acted as lieutenant-governor under the command of John Paulet, 5th Marquis of Winchester. Peake, then lieutenant-colonel, was knighted for his services by Charles I at Oxford on 28 March 1645. On the surrender of Basing House in October 1645 Peake was brought to London, and committed first to Winchester House, and then to Aldersgate. He was subsequently released, but exiled for refusing to take the oath of allegiance to Cromwell.^[3]

After the Restoration Peake was appointed vice-president and leader of the Honourable Artillery Company under James, duke of York. He died in 1667, aged about 75, and was buried in St. Sepulchre's Church, London. A broadside ‘Panegyrick’ was published shortly after his death.^[4]

Notes

1. Lee 1903, p. 1017 (also main DNB xliv 148)
2. In the accounts for Prince Henry's funeral, Robert Peake is called "Mr Peake the elder painter" and William Peake "Mr Peake the younger painter". (Edmond, Hilliard & Oliver, 155.)
   Peake’s grandson Sir Robert Peake (sometimes wrongly called his son) was knighted by King Charles I during the English Civil War. The Parliamentarians captured him after their siege of Basing House, which was under his command. (Walpole, Anecdotes of Painting, 221.)
3. Cust 1895, p. 148.
4. Cust 1895, p. 148 Cites: Brit. Museum.

References

Attribution

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Lee, Sidney, ed. (1903). "Peake, Robert". Dictionary of National Biography. Index and Epitome. Cambridge University Press. p. 1017.
•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Cust, Lionel Henry (1895). "Peake, Robert". In Lee, Sidney. Dictionary of National Biography 44. London: Smith, Elder & Co. p. 148. Endnotes:
  • Hugh Walpole's Anecdotes of Painting, ed. Ralph Nicholson Wornum;
  • Redgrave's Dictionary of Artists;
  • Louis Fagan's Catalogue of Faithorne's Works;
  • George Vertue's Diaries (British Library Harl. MSS. 5910, iv. 157).