Order of Little Bedlam
Order of Little Bedlam aka Bedlam Club was a gentlemen's drinking club, founded in 1684 by John Cecil, 5th Earl of Exeter of Burghley House, and lapsing on his death in 1700. In 1705 it was reconvened by his son, John Cecil, 6th Earl of Exeter as grand master ‘Lion’, his brother William as ‘Panther’, and brother Charles as ‘Bull’. Each member of the club had his portrait painted and was associated with a particular animal. The venue of the Club is thought to be "The Bull and Swan" at Stamford, Lincolnshire. The Billiard Room at Burghley House still displays six oval portraits of members of the 5th Earl’s drinking club.
A Burghley House document records details of the club in 1705:
Members included:
- John Earl of Exeter, Great Master – Lyon
- Earl of Denbigh - Tyger
- Lord Lexington - Lamb
- Lord Howe - Hare
- George Crook Esq - Wolf
- Sir Thomas Barker - Ram
- Hon. John Verney - Pardus
- Henry Nevile - Fox
- Samuel Tryon Esq - Terrier
- Sir Godfrey Kneller - Unicorn
- Richard Sherard Esq - Mule
- George Leafield Esq - Guineapig
- Sir Thomas Mackworth - Badger
- Charles Tryon Esq - Otter
- William, Duke of Devonshire - Leopard
- Baptist Earl of Gainsborough - Greyhound
- Anthony Palmer Esq - Elephant
- Hon. John Noel - Wild Horse
- Hon. Charles Bertie - Stag
- Hon. James Griffin - Wild Boar
- Hon. William Cecil – Panther
- Thomas Hatcher Esq – Bear
- Antonio Verrio – Porcupine
- Sir James Robinson – Buck
- Timothy Lanoy Esq – Antelope
- Hon. Charles Cecil - Bull
- Sir Isaac Newton
- Gregory Hascard, Dean of Windsor – Cock