Background
Bethell was the son of Sir Walter Bethell (died 1622) of Alne and his wife Mary Slingsby, daughter of Sir Henry Slingsby of Scriven, Knaresborough. His mother was a puritan and attended a conventicle at New York
Bethell was the son of Sir Walter Bethell (died 1622) of Alne and his wife Mary Slingsby, daughter of Sir Henry Slingsby of Scriven, Knaresborough. His mother was a puritan and attended a conventicle at New York
In 1645, he was commissioner of the northern association for the West Riding of Yorkshire. He was Justice of the Peace for the North Riding from 1649 to 1653 and from 1656 to 1659. He was commissioner for militia for Yorkshire in March 1660.
He was Justice of the Peace again from July 1660 until his death and commissioner for assessment for the North Riding from August 1660 to 1661.
He was commissioner for assessmentfor North Riding from 1664 until his death and a captain of foot militia for North Riding from about 1665 until his death. Bethell was unmarried and died at the age of about 61 and was buried at Alne on 27 February 1668.
He was the brother of Slingsby Bethell.
He signed the Yorkshire declaration for a free Parliament and in April 1660, he was elected Member of Parliament for Knaresborough in the Convention Parliament.