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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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Ferry Road, North Fambridge, Essex, CM3 6LR

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Sunday 10 December. Enjoy a festive shopping opportunity in the beautiful surroundings of the Creeksea Place Manor House, with unique gifts to buy, mulled wine, mince pies and much more. The fire will be roaring and the Christmas tree lit up!
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1-3 Mill Road, Burnham on Crouch, Essex, CM0 8PZ

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Maldon Town Hall (Town Council), Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4RL

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bonny@communityclimateaction.uk

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The Quay, Burnham-On-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8AT

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Address

Maldon, Essex, CM9 6GG

Telephone
01621 862960

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This 15 acre reserve consists of 1.5 miles of the former Maldon-Woodham Ferrers railway line, most of it on embankment. The area includes as small nature reserve with large pond
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3 High Street, Flat B, Southminster, CM0 7AA

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Sole use of a one-bedroom apartment in the heart of Southminster. The 280 sq ft holiday home has a double bed, kitchen, heating, free Wi-Fi and free parking, and rental includes towels and linen.
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Friends Meeting House (Quaker Church), Butt Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HD

Telephone
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Address

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Telephone
01621 743078

maylandseapharmacy@nhs.net

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Sawyers Road, Little Totham, Maldon, CM9 8JP

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contact@maldon.gov.uk

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Address

Tollesbury, Essex, CM9 8QU

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Opposite 17 North Street, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, CM9 8TF

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Address

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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

Inspiration

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