Order of Little Bedlam 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 (1648-1707) - Ram Hon. John Verney - Pardus [asterisked to indicated Male Panther] 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
The temperamental Antonio Verrio, aptly named 'Porcupine', was responsible for a great deal of the very detailed art work in Burghley House. He quarrelled with most of the house occupants, particularly the cook, and painted her on one of the ceilings as the goddess of plenty, amply endowed with four extra breasts.
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