You are here: Discover > History & Heritage > Famous People > Dr Peter Chamberlen

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.)

Searching for something...

Accommodation
Things to Do
What's On
Food & Drink

Accommodation Search

Things to Do Search

What's On Search

Food & Drink Search

Walk in his footsteps...

Inspiration

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.

Number of results: 1124

, currently showing 1101 to 1120.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Yachts, Vineyards & History: Burnham and Creeksea - Guided Walk No. 6.1

Address

The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival, Millfields Car Park, off Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8HQ

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

off Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch

Friday 8 September. Yachts, Vineyards & History. Part of The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival - A delightful stroll around the yachting centre of Burnham-on-Crouch and nearby Creeksea, taking in river views along the seawall, birdlife, vineyards and…
Braxted Park Golf Club

Address

Braxted Park, Braxted, Essex, CM8 3EN

Telephone
01376 572372

golf@braxtedpark.com

Braxted

A well established and challenging 9-hole course set in the beautiful parkland of The Braxted Park Estate.
Newman's

Address

7 Fullbridge, Maldon, CM9 4LE

Telephone
01621 879683

donnanewman7@yahoo.co.uk

Maldon

Friendly cafe, cakeshop and takeway offering cooked breakfasts, including the full English, hot lunches, sandwiches, burgers, afternoon tea, milkshakes, cakes, ice cream and much more. All food is freshly prepared and phone orders are welcome.
The Party Ki from Christmas Experience

Address

Old Oak Farm, Rectory Lane, Latchingdon, Essex, CM07BE

Telephone
01245 327787

Info@thepartykingdom.co.uk

Latchingdon

Award winning family Christmas Experience based in Latchingdon.
Come and create some magical Christmas memories with our fantastic team.
Book online to avoid disappointment.
The Oyster Smack Inn

Address

112 Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HR

Telephone
01621 782141

info@theoystersmackinn.co.uk

Burnham-on-Crouch

Contemporary independent restaurant with rooms.
32 The Hythe

Address

32 The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Telephone
01621 859435

gibbsie@live.co.uk

Maldon

We are situated by the river Blackwater in the picturesque market town of Maldon with majestic Thames Barges moored up outside.
Outdoor Skating Rink and Christmas Fair

Address

Wickham Bishops Village Hall, Church Road, Wickham Bishops, Essex, CM8 3JZ

Wickham Bishops

Sunday 17 December. Get into the festive season with the outdoor ice skating rink arranged by Great Totham school PTFA. Refreshments, entertainment and Christmas stalls also available.
North Fambridge Recreation Ground

Address

Fambridge Road, North Fambridge, Essex, CM3 6NB

Telephone
01621 828244

nfampc3@gmail.com

North Fambridge

Facilities include a car park, football pitch, children's play site, and basketball net. Visitors should take care on leaving the site as visibility is restricted.
Quiz night

Address

Langford & Ulting Village Hall, Hatfield Road, Langford, Essex, CM9 6QA

Telephone
01621 856219

langfordultingvh@gmail.com

Langford

Come and join us for a light hearted fun evening. Don't worry if you are on your own. We make up tables of up to six so it's a good way to meet others.
Great Braxted

Address

Great Braxted, CM8 3EF

Great Braxted

Great Braxted is a village between Great Totham and Tiptree in Essex, England. The population at the 2011 census was 130. The local manor house is known as Braxted Park.
Asheldham & Dengie Village Hall

Address

Manor Road, Dengie, Southminster, CM0 7UH

Telephone
07501 860227

lynmoull@gmail.com

Dengie

Asheldham & Dengie Village Hall is set in a historic World War One field hospital that was moved to the site in 1920 after the war. It has recently been extensively refurbished inside, but the village chose to retain the historic corrugated metal…
Othona Community

Address

East Hall Farm, East End Road, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7PN

Telephone
01621 776564

bradwell@othona.org

Bradwell-on-Sea

Othona is an open and inclusive Community rooted in the Christian tradition and drawing on a wealth of other inspirations.
Springfield Road Park

Address

Springfield Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8UA

Telephone
01621 854477

contact@maldon.gov.uk

Burnham-on-Crouch

This park is comprised of mown grassland with a large number of mature trees of different species and a play park.
Maldon Masjid - Mosque

Address

Muslim Hall, Church St, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HP

Telephone
+447904659177

Maldon

Maldon Masjid – the Maldon District Islamic Cultural Association is set in a building that was once the Labour Hall. The mosque opened in 2005 and has been restored and transformed into a tranquil place for Muslim prayers. There is a separate…
Shut Heath Wood & Great Totham Walk

Address

Great Totham, Essex, CM9 8NN

Great Totham

This fascinating walk explores the myriad of lanes and footpaths encircling the villages of Great Totham and Wickham Bishops, and in springtime provides the perfect opportunity to see Maldon District’s most spectacular display of bluebells in Shut…
Wilkins & Sons Farm, Factory & Family

Address

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

Telephone
01621853428

dorreen@dorreenlinton.uk

High Street, Maldon

Wilkin & Sons - Farm, Factory & Family
Our speaker for March is Mr Nicholas Wikenden.
His talk will cover the history of the company who came to Tiptree and started farming at Trewlands Farm in the early 1700s. The company reformed as Wilkin &…
Promenade Valley Play Area & Galleon

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

Maldon

Welcome to the Valley Play Area in Maldon's Promenade Park!
Featuring the Galleon and Mini-Galleon play ships as well as a zip-line and interactive play equipment, this is the perfect destination for a family friendly and action packed visit all…
Southminster War Memorial

Address

St Leonard's Church, Station Rd, Southminster, Essex, CM10 7EW

Telephone
01621 772300

vicar@stleonardsouthminster.org.uk

Southminster

Southminster War Memorial is a 2.4m obelisk in the grounds of St Leonard's Church, bearing the names of 75 casualties of war.
Promenade Park Sand Pit

Address

Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

Telephone
01621 854477

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

Maldon

A large children's sand pit and play area with step-free access. A cafe and toilets are located nearby, along with seating for parents and families.
Maldon Wick Nature Reserve - Walk it Local

Address

West Maldon Community Centre, Sunbury Way, Maldon, CM9 6YH

Maldon

2.6 miles. This short Walk it Local route is an easy stroll starting close to Maldon town centre, but taking in the lovely Maldon Wick Nature Reserve and part of the disused railway line. Depending on the season you might see rare butterflies,…

Dr Peter Chamberlen

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

Inspiration

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address