House & Family History: The original manor house was moated, with a double ditch on the northwest side. This house existed by 1311, when William Hillary was besieged here by Thomas Le Rous and others. In 1345 Roger Hillary was licensed to crenellate. By the late 14th century Bentley contained a chapel. The Lane family was seated at Bentley by 1438. By 1666 the House was a large one, containing 14 taxable hearths; in 1672, 14 rooms are mentioned. Bentley Hall earned a place in English history during the Civil War when Charles II hid here after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. The owner, Colonel John Lane, shelted the king and helped him escape disguised as manservant to Jane Lane, the colonel's sister. In the late 18th century the medieval house was demolished and another house built on a site northwest of the moat. The old site became a garden and was connected by a bridge to the new house, which was itself demolished in 1929. (We are grateful to Jennifer Maughan for much of this history of Bentley).

House Replaced By: An 18th century house of the same name was built 100 feet from the original house. This house fell into disrepair and was torn down in 1929 because of coal subsidence.

House Listed: Demolished

Park Listed: Destroyed

Past Seat / Home of: William Hillary, 14th century; Roger Hillary, 14th century. Colonel John Lane, 17th century; Lane family here from 1438 until the mid-18th century.

Current Ownership Type: Demolished

Primary Current Ownership Use: Demolished

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No