Adam Baynes

Who was Adam Baynes?

Adam Baynes was a parliamentary army officer and MP for Leeds during the Commonwealth, and as such the first MP for the city. He was later also MP for Appleby. He is described as "an army agent of some influence at Whitehall".

His family had lived at Knostrop Hall, east of Leeds, since at least the mid sixteenth century.

Captain Baynes purchased Holdenby House. He demolished the massive house, which had been bought by James I, almost entirely, except for a small domestic wing.