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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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Mundon Furze

Address

Woodside, Mundon, Maldon, CM9 6PD

Telephone
01621 850826

annhutchison1@yahoo.co.uk

Mundon

One of the last areas of surviving ancient woodland in the Dengie peninsular. The dominant tree species are oak and ash. Although there is something of interest to see all year round, the best time to visit is early morning in the spring.
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Maldon Road, Goldhanger, CM9 8BQ

Telephone
01621 788162

sue.gardenersfarm@btconnect.com

Goldhanger

Gardneners Farm has a beautiful small Certificated Campsite, available for Camping and Caravanning Club members only, with beautiful walks along the seawall to Heybridge Basin or to Goldhanger and a farmshop. There are 12 electric hook-ups for…
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Cooks Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Telephone
01621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

Maldon

Historic sailing barge moored at top of River Blackwater on Maldon's Hythe Quay. Ideal base for winter walks and bird watching.
Woodham Walter Common

Address

Common Lane, Woodham Walter, Essex, CM9 6NF

Woodham Walter

This site is part of a large network of nature reserves that make up the Danbury Ridge Complex. Woodham Walter Common is mainly secondary woodland with a few open areas where heather grows.
St Nicholas, Tolleshunt Major, & Commonwealth War Grave

Address

Church Road, Tolleshunt Major, Essex, CM9 8EH

Tolleshunt Major

Grade I Listed St Nicholas church dates from the 12th century and has expansive views from the churchyard, which also contains a Commonwealth War Grave.
The Terrace at Potters Resort Five Lakes

Address

Five Lakes Resort, Colchester Road, Tolleshunt Knights, Essex, CM9 8HX

Telephone
01621 868888

reservations@fivelakes.co.uk

Tolleshunt Knights

Enjoy family-friendly, all-day dining (indoor or outdoor) in the relaxed setting of our Terrace.
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44-48 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5RU

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01621 502585

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QD Stores, which stands for Quality Discounts, is an independently owned discount retailer offering a great selection of goods at value prices. Stock is constantly changing in store, but you will find home and garden products, kitchenware, motoring…
Great Braxted Farm Shop

Address

Maldon Road junction with Braxted Park Road, Great Braxted, CO5 0QA

Telephone
01621 816464

Greatbraxtedfarmshop@hotmail.com

Great Braxted

Family run farm shopping selling a wide range of fruit and vegetables, mainly grown in the surrounding area, including a seasonal range of locally grown apples. You will also find preserves, local honey, fresh flowers, speciality cheeses, breads and…
Steeple Village Hall

Address

Garden Fields, Steeple, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7JY

Telephone
01621 774851

villagehallsteeple@gmail.com

Southminster

The village hall is suitable for a wide variety of functions. Built in 2004 and providing modern facilities including main hall with stage and sound system, small meeting room and fully equipped modern kitchen.
My Healthy Indian

Address

Burnham Road, Latchingdon, Essex, CM3 6EZ

Telephone
0754504124

heena@myhealthyindian.com

Latchingdon

Learn to cook authentic yummy Indian food with Heena at My Healthy Indian! Heena hosts food events and cooking workshops teaching healthy and easy Indian curries in the charming village of Latchingdon, Essex.
Salero Lounge

Address

43-45 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PF

Telephone
0117 930 9971

salero@thelounges.co.uk

Maldon

Unique decor, comfortable ambiance, dog friendly and with a wide variety of all-day food and drink, the Salero Lounge offers a new place to eat and drink in Maldon High Street.
St Nicholas's, Tolleshunt D'Arcy

Address

Church Street, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Essex, CM9 8TS

Tolleshunt D'Arcy

St Nicholas Church is Grade I listed. Its churchyard extension, a little way up the road, has three Commonwealth War Graves.
Burnham Riverside Park

Address

Millfields, Burnham-on-Crouch, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HS

Telephone
01621 854477

Burnham-on-Crouch

Overlooking the River Crouch, Burnham’s Riverside Park offers activity and relaxation in equal measure. It is an ideal place for a stroll, a run, a picnic or to take part in some sport.
Henry Samuel Hall

Address

Steeple Rd, Mayland, Essex, CM3 6EG

Telephone
01621 741053

maylandpc@btinternet.com

Mayland

After a lengthy period of refurbishment, Mayland's Henry Samuel Hall has been transformed, with new windows, new cladding, smart new accessible toilets and much more, creating a high-quality resource for the village. The original hall was built in…
St Mary's Church, Mundon

Address

Vicarage Lane, Mundon, Essex, CM9 6PA

Mundon

The church of St. Mary in Mundon is cared for by the Friends of Friendless Churches and it is now conserved as a Grade 1 listed medieval church. After a major programme of restoration and repair it is once again open to the public daily.
Maldon Mosaic

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

Maldon

Maldon Mosaic, which can be found close the sandy play area at the western end of the lake, was designed by Susan Mason and created with her friends at the Limebrook University of the Third Age to celebrate Maldon and the significant events of 2012,…
Manythings

Address

165 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HJ

Telephone
01621 785103

shelleysmanythings@googlemail.com

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The Moot Hall

Address

High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PF

Telephone
01621 851553

manager@themoothall.co.uk

Maldon

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Address

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

Telephone
01621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

The Hythe, Maldon

Saturday 13 July. See the Blackwater Barge Match from the vantage point of a traditional Thames Sailing Barge.
St Nicholas Church

Address

Little Braxted Lane, Little Braxted, Essex, CM8 3EU

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St. Nicholas in Little Braxted is one of the smallest churches in Essex and was built in the early 12th century. It is richly and beautifully decorated throughout.

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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