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Dr Peter Chamberlen

The invention of obstetrics forceps in the 17th century made childbirth safer for generations of women and babies

Tens of thousands of mothers and babies have been saved from certain death thanks to the invention by a doctor whose family lived in Woodham Mortimer.

Peter Chamberlen the Elder is believed to have invented the obstetric forceps, which enabled doctors and midwives to assist with the delivery of babies in cases of obstructed labour. In the 17^th century, when many women had deformed pelvises after childhood rickets, it was relatively commonplace for childbirth disasters to occur, and the only recourse to saving the mother’s life usually ended the child’s life.

The invention of the forceps was initially kept as a trade secret by Peter the Elder, who attended Queen Anne, wife of James I in childbirth, shared only with his brother Peter the Younger, and Peter the Younger’s son Peter the Third, known as Dr Peter Chamberlen (pictured above). In fact, it is said that the small hand tools were carried into homes in an enormous box, and labouring women blindfolded so as not to find out the secret! The device eventually became public knowledge when Dr Peter Chamberlen’s son Hugh shared it with his medical colleagues towards the end of his life,

In 1815, five sets of forceps were discovered under the floorboards at Woodham Mortimer Hall, where they are believed to have been hidden by Dr Peter Chamberlen’s second wife Ann after his death. Dr Peter Chamberlen died in 1683 at the great age of 82 and is buried in an ornate raised tomb in the churchyard of St Margaret’s, next door to Woodham Mortimer Hall. While the Hall is not open to the public, a Blue Plaque now marks the home of Dr Peter Chamberlen and his family who saved so many lives. (The family name can also be spelled Chamberlin or Chamberlain.)

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St Margaret's Church Woodham Mortimer

Pretty St Margaret's Church dates from the 12th century, but the majority of the Grade II Listed building was reconstructed in the 19th century. Features include a 13th century font and an interesting graveyard with an impressive raised memorial to obstetrics pioneer Peter Chamberlen.
The Hurdlemakers Arms

We are a family run pub in Woodham Mortimer, between Maldon and Danbury in Essex. We serve home cooked food from local produce and have a great range of beer, ales and wine.
Woodham Mortimer Hall - Blue Plaque Site

Woodham Mortimer Hall is a private home, with no public access. The 15th century hall with its distinctive brick chimneys, heavily redeveloped in the early 17th century, was the home of obstetrician Dr Peter Chamberlen whose family invented the obstetric forceps and is marked with a Blue Plaque.

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D'Arcy Riding Stables

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The Stables, Chapel Road, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Maldon, Essex, CM9 8TL

Telephone
01621 860553

darcyridingstables@hotmail.com

Maldon

Local horse riding school offering lessons, pony days, pony loaning and livery. Fun for all ages all. Established for 25 years, the centre offers lessons on a good range of horses and ponies, from the very quiet to those suitable for the more…
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kathysimpson@xln.co.uk

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The Maltsters is run by Kathy and Steve and offers a great friendly atmosphere and a good pint of beer. There is a small patio area at the back which is secluded and is partly sheltered.
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info@osealeisurepark.co.uk

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Become a part of the fairytale and wear your finest prince or princess attire to compete in our fancy dress competition and be showered with splendours as our very own Osea King and Queen. Our talented face painters will transform you into the…
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Burnham, CM0 8SY

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info@burnhamcycling.club

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Topsail Charters, Cooks Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

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24 High Street, Burnham on Crouch, Essex, CM0 8AA

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9-10 King George's Place, 122 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5BZ

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Southfield Way, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7RE

Telephone
01621 854477

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1 South Street, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, CM9 8TR

Tolleshunt D'Arcy

A blue plaque marks D'Arcy House as the home of famous novelist Margery Allingham who wrote the Albert Campion detective stories.
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Althorne Recreation Ground car park, Burnham Road, Althorne, CM3 6BY

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2.3 miles. Althorne sits on the southern ridge of low hills on the Dengie Peninsula; so you can glimpse both the Blackwater and the Crouch rivers on this gentle walk. Look out too for the grapes growing in the many vineyards that benefit from the…
Bradwell Village Hall

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South Street, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7QJ

Telephone
01621 776406

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Mediumship Night with Becs

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The Canary Shed, Creeksea Farm, Ferry Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8PJ

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The Cygnet Room, The Swan Hotel, High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5EH

Telephone
01621853428

dorreen@dorreenlinton.uk

High Street, Maldon

Well known historian, Adrian Wright, will give an illustrated presentation which considers earthquakes on a world scale including large events in Assam, Alaska and New Zealand as well as the much smaller one in Victorian Essex with its impact on the…
St Agnes Fountain at Maldon Town Hall

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Maldon Town Hall, Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PZ

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Fambridge Yacht Haven, Church Road, North Fambridge, CM3 6LR

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North Fambridge

Dawnbreaker IV has been built to a high specification to provide you with a fishing experience second to none. Fully insured and licenced for 10 persons and Code of Practice for up to 60 miles. Capable of up to 28 knots and with a comfortable…
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East End Road, Bradwell-on-Sea, CM0 7PN

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The Cockle Spit is a massive and ever-moving bank made from cockle and oyster shells. It's managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust and is visited by a huge number of wading birds. From here you can see concrete barges from the Second World War, used in…
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44 The Street, Heybridge, CM9 4NB

Telephone
01621 927721

Polashislam444.pi@gmail.com

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End of Main Road, St Lawrence, CM0 7NA

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St Lawrence Bay, also known as Stone, is undoubtedly the most beautiful beach in the Maldon District, and the broad sweep of shingle and sand is worth the effort to get to. If you travel by car you will need to park at Jubilee Field car park as you…
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Address

Beckingham Road, Great Totham, Essex, CM9 8EA

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Maldon United Reformed Church, Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PZ

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Join our special Homes for Ukraine Christmas Event at the United Reformed Church in Maldon.

Dr Peter Chamberlen

The invention of obstetrics forceps in the 17th century made childbirth safer for generations of women and babies

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