bowyer was the son of thomas bowyer, of leighthorne, sussex, and his second wife jane birch, daughter of john birch, baron of the exchequer, and was baptised on 4 december 1586 in mundham in sussex. his father died on 7 march 1595 when he succeeded to the estates. in 1614, he was elected member of parliament (mp) for midhurst. he was elected mp for bramber in 1621, and was re-elected in 1624, 1625 and 1626. he was a high sheriff of surrey and high sheriff of sussex between 1626 and 1627. on 23 july 1627, he was created a baronet, of leighthorne in the county of sussex. he was re-elected mp for bramber in 1629 and sat until 1629 when king charles decided to rule without parliament for eleven years.