27/11/2025
Room 9, Newton - The Honourable Order of Little Bedlam was a gentlemen's drinking club, founded in 1684 by John Cecil, 5th Earl of Exeter of Burghley House. Each member of the club had his portrait painted and was associated with a particular animal. The venue of the Club was thought to be here at The Bull and Swan...
While many members of this exclusive group were given animal-inspired nicknames, Newton, a man of great intellect and often reserved demeanor, did not receive such a designation. His membership in the club adds a layer of intrigue to his complex character, reflecting his connections to the social circles of his time, despite his more solitary, scholarly nature..