in april 1640, bowyer was elected mp for bramber in the short parliament. he was not initially elected to the long parliament in november 1640, but the election was declared void and he was re-elected in a by-election. he sat until 23 november 1642 when he was disabled for assisting in putting a garrison into chichester for the king. he was fined £2,033 as a delinquent on 18 may 1650.