The first patron-inspired episode of The English Eccentric. This episode was requested by the excellent Claire Rowe.

William John Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck (1800-1879), the 5th Duke of Portland, was born in London, the second son of William Bentinck – and known by his middle name ‘John’.

In fact, all the males in his family were Christened ‘William’ – and, thus, it was customary for them to take their middle names. Presumably, because otherwise, it would’ve made it quite difficult for their mum to call them each in for their tea.

Having inherited his family seat, Welbeck Abbey in Nottingham, Bentinck spent vast amounts of cash ‘improving’ it. This mostly involved letting the abbey fall into a state of disrepair, whilst he created a peculiar network of tunnels and strange rooms underneath it.

After his death, the reclusive duke – and his strange interest in false whiskers – caused his successor, William Bentinck, 6th Duke of Portland, problems when another claimant to the estate came forward and his known predilection for disguises and tunnelling suddenly got a whole new focus...

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