Swavesey and District History Society – June 2025 Meeting

Nearly 50 people attended to hear Richard Hewlings of Swavesey give a talk on Richard Bentley and Over Rectory.  Bentley (1662 – 1742), was born in Oulton near Leeds.  He was a brilliant classical scholar (Greek and Roman) and theologian and became Master of Trinity College, Cambridge.  His father was a yeoman farmer but his mother had some education and was able to give him his first lessons.  After attending grammar school in Wakefield, Bentley entered St John’s College, Cambridge in 1676 where he received the degrees of BA and MA.  He was appointed headmaster of Spalding Grammar School before he was 21 years old.  Edward Stillingfleet, the dean of St Paul’s Cathedral (later Bishop of Worcester) hired Bentley as tutor to his son for six years including during attendance at Wadham College, Oxford.  This allowed Bentley to meet eminent scholars and to have access to the best private library in England.  After becoming Master of Trinity College in 1700 he initiated a programme of expensive renovations to the buildings, in particular the Chapel and the Master’s Lodge, without consulting the Trinity Fellowship who became annoyed with Bentley.  His contemptuous treatment of many eminent colleagues led to extensive controversy and litigation.   A Fellow of the Royal Society, Bentley was interested in natural theology and the new physical sciences, subjects on which he corresponded with Isaac Newton – another difficult person.  After ten years of stubborn but ineffectual resistance, the Fellows appealed with their complaints to the Bishop of Ely.  When Bentley protested, the Fellows amended their petition but added a charge of Bentley’s having committed fifty-four breaches of the statutes.  His interest to this History Society is that he rebuilt Over Rectory, having told Trinity College that he was rebuilding the old farmhouse, part of their estate in Over, but in truth he was building a gentleman’s residence for himself!  After successful, lengthy manoeuvring to avoid punishment, the Fellows again brought Bentley to trial before the Bishop of Ely in 1733 and he was sentenced to deprivation.  The College statutes required the sentence to be exercised by the Vice-Master Richard Walker who was a friend of Bentley and refused to act.  Although the feud continued until 1739 (about thirty years in all), Bentley remained in his post.  He was a remarkable man in many ways.

Next meeting: – 16 September when the 2025/26 season starts.  Arsenic’s toxic legacy: People, Places, Pests and Peppermints.  Neil Dickinson.