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: 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.