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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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Maldon Society Talk - Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome

Address

The Cygnet Room, The Swan Hotel, High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6BN

Telephone
01621853428

dorreen@dorreenlinton.uk

High Street, Maldon

Thursday 1 February. The Maldon Society's first talk of the year will be given by Roger Smith from Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, who will be looking at the contribution made by Essex based squadrons in the defence of this country between 1915 and…
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The Star Inn, The Street, Steeple, Essex, CM0 7LF

Telephone
01621 772646

Starinncaravanpark@gmail.com

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The Oyster Smack Inn

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

Telephone
01621 782141

info@theoystersmackinn.co.uk

Burnham-on-Crouch

Contemporary independent restaurant with rooms.
Kofe

Address

Burnham Railway Station, Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8DQ

Burnham

Coffee shop serving commuters at Burnham railway station, with high-quality coffee, tea, cold drinks, cakes and snacks.
Coffee & Cake Cafe at Clayhill Vineyard

Address

Lower Burnham Road, Latchingdon, Essex, CM3 6HF

Telephone
07771 995460

booking@clayhillvineyard.co.uk

Latchingdon

Take in the stunning views of the River Crouch & Valley while enjoying a light lunch, coffee, cake or glass of wine in our Coffee & Cake Cafe. You are welcome to sample & purchase our wines through the cafe. Booked Tastings & Tours available.
The Cirdan Sailing Trust

Address

Bradwell Marina, Waterside, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7RB

Telephone
01621 776684

info@cirdantrust.org

Bradwell-on-Sea

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

Telephone
01621 854477

ben.thornett@maldon.gov.uk

Maldon

Join us at Promenade Park on Saturday 25th May from 10am to 12pm for a morning packed with cycling fun and community spirit!
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Address

Maldon Activity Centre, Carmelite Way, Maldon, CM9 5GF

Telephone
01621 851891

Maldon

The Community Gaming Initiative (CGI) is a project to use gaming as a social tool to bring young people together to socialise and develop skills.
On the Latch

Address

Burnham Road, Latchingdon, CM3 6BL

Telephone
01621 740911

onthelatchdining@yahoo.com

Latchingdon

On the Latch offers cooked breakfasts, lunches and delicious cakes, plus a variety of special events throughout the year. The Dengie Petting Zoo is in the grounds.
Maldon East and Heybridge Railway Station (Disused)

Address

Station House, Station Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LQ

Maldon

Maldon East and Heybridge railway station served the town of Maldon and nearby village of Heybridge between 1848 and 1964.
Woodstock Petting Farm

Address

Woodstock Farm, St Stephens Road, Cold Norton, CM3 6NP

Telephone
07534 228961

Bardwelljames@gmail.com

Cold Norton

Woodstock Farm is a working farm that also offers farm experience days, a petting farm and children's parties and events. At Woodstock Petting Farm, children can cuddle small animals, feed the larger animals and meet and groom the ponies.
Remembrance Day Service

Address

War Memorial, High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PF

Telephone
01621857373

administration@maldontowncouncil.gov.uk

Maldon

Maldon's Act of Remembrance & wreath laying
North Fambridge

Address

North Fambridge, CM3 6LS

North Fambridge

North Fambridge is a village and civil parish on the Dengie peninsula in the English county of Essex. Set on the banks of the River Crouch, the village is close to a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Blue House Farm, a nature reserve owned by the…
Coffee Morning

Address

Woodham Walter Women's Club, Top Road, Woodham Walter, Essex, CM9 6RQ

Telephone
07856281899

fernbeighton@aim.com

Woodham Walter

Coffee morning with home made cakes, plus handmade earrings for sale, and a raffle. Organised by Girl guiding leader Fern Beighton who is raising money towards the cost of attending the Roverway 2024 and Jamboree in Norway this summer.
St Peter's Way

Address

Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7PW

Bradwell-on-Sea

The St Peter’s Way is a 45 mile walk meandering through the countryside of Essex, from Chipping Ongar to the ancient chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall at Bradwell on Sea.
Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary

Address

Maldon Road, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7HU

Telephone
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Fiona@towerhillstables.com

Bradwell-on-Sea

Information: Founded in 1993 by Fiona Oakes, Tower Hill Animal Sanctuary is a forever home to over 450 rescued animals, both domestic and ex-farm.
Martin's Lane Vineyard

Address

Scarr Cottage, Stow Maries, Essex, CM3 6SB

Telephone
01621 828903

info@martinslane.co.uk

Stow Maries

Martin's Lane Vineyard specializes in the production of only the finest quality and ripest grapes to produce the very best in English wines.
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Address

Church Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8QB

Telephone
01621 786066

stmaryschurchburnham@outlook.com

Burnham-on-Crouch

Affectionately known as St Mary's, there has been a church on this site since 1155, possibly even earlier, and as such the fabric of the building reflects a long and eventful history.
Breeze Love Songs

Address

6 Grange Road, Wickham Bishops, Essex, CM8 3LT

Telephone
07881678418

studio@breezelovesongs.com

Wickham Bishops

Breeze Love Songs (formerly Chelmer Radio) is an Essex local radio station based in Wickham Bishops specialising in an unrivalled mix of great love songs to keep you nice and relaxed, along with local and national news and features.
Ansell & Sons Butchers

Address

5 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PB

Telephone
01621 853151

info@ansellandsons.co.uk

Maldon

Master butchers in Maldon High St since 1928, Ansell & Sons is a meat and game specialist. Its meat, game and poultry produce ranges are primarily locally sourced from Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk farms, as well as direct from Smithfield Market…

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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