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: 1133

, currently showing 481 to 500.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Birds, Boats and Big Skies: Tollesbury Wick - Guided Walk No. 4.3

Address

The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival, Woodrolfe Road Car Park, 42 Woodrolfe Road, Tollesbury, CM9 8SE

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

42 Woodrolfe Road, Tollesbury

Saturday 16 September. Birds, Boats and Big Skies: Tollesbury Wick. Part of The Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival - Discover the breathtaking beauty of this Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on this guided walk with the Essex Wildlife Trust…
Bluebell Boutique

Address

81 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5EP

Telephone
01621 858515

bluebellmaldon@gmail.com

Maldon

An established independent family-run business that opened its first shop in Maldon of spring of 2012 followed by a second store in Witham. Online shopping is also available. Specialising in women's fashion, classic clothing and accessories,…
Purleigh Bell

Address

The Street, Purleigh, CM3 6QJ

Telephone
01621 828348

kirsten@purleighbell.com

Purleigh

The Purleigh Bell has been an ale house since 1635. Lawrence Washington - the last member of George Washington’s family to live in England, was a regular in the early C16th. Since then, the pub has grown to make the most of each landlord’s interests…
The Ferry Boat Inn

Address

Ferry Road, North Fambridge, Essex, CM3 6LR

Telephone
01621 738844

info@ferryboatinnessex.com

North Fambridge

Inn in North Fambridge, mid way between Burnham, Maldon and South Woodham Ferrers. Offering relaxation away from the city bustle.
St Andrew's Church

Address

The Street, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4NB

Telephone
01621 857004

Heybridge

A Grade I Listed building, this 12th century church was restored during the 15th century to its present condition. Seating for 200 including choir, with wheel chair access and hearing aid loop system.
Matrix Hair Art Unisex Salon

Address

132 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HQ

Telephone
01621 782026

Burnham

Friendly, modern unisex hair salon that has bright young employees, a friendly atmosphere and good prices.
Domino's

Address

158 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HJ

Telephone
01621 843388

Burnham

Looking for a freshly cooked pizza in Burnham? At Domino's, we're dedicated to using quality sourced ingredients and preparing 100% fresh and handcrafted pizzas in Maldon for each order.
Whether you're after a Pepperoni Passion, a Vegi Supreme, a…
Sunset Cruise

Address

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

Telephone
01621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

The Hythe, Maldon

Various dates. A "Two Island" evening cruise on a historic Thames Sailing Barge from Maldon Quay past Northey Island to Osea Island and back.
The Osea Hawaiian Beach Festival

Address

Osea Leisure Park, Goldhanger Road, Maldon, England, CM9 4SA

Telephone
01621 854695

info@osealeisurepark.co.uk

Maldon

Aloha friends and family! Join us at the Osea Hawaiian Beach Festival, where we celebrate the spirit of ohana and bid farewell to summer with a day filled with island-inspired joy for the whole family!
Kazen Kai Martial Arts Dojo

Address

The Martial Arts Centre, 4a Market Hill, Maldon, CM9 4PZ

Telephone
01277 262 800

admin@kazenkai.com

Maldon

Kazen Kai Karate at The Martial Arts Centre in Maldon offers a wide range of classes for adults and children, focusing on traditional Karate along with kick-boxing, Taekwondo and self-defence.
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…
Asheldham

Address

Asheldham, Essex, CM0 7JF

Asheldham

Asheldam is a hamlet and civil parish in Essex, England. It is located about 14 km southeast of Maldon and is 26 km east-southeast from the county town of Chelmsford.
Morrisons Cafe

Address

Limebrook Way, Maldon, CM9 6GG

Maldon

Morrisons cafe is at the front of the store and offers a convenient place for a snack or meal, with disabled access. The cafe offers cooked breakfasts, drinks and cakes, sandwiches and snacks and full cooked meals ranging from fish and chips to…
Sailing Barge Cruise - Slow Roast Cruise

Address

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

Telephone
01621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

The Hythe, Maldon

Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 December & 13 January. A leisurely one and half hour cruise from Maldon Quay to Mill Beach and back. Add an optional warm baguette filled with slow roast pork and apple chutney.
Tillingham Public Toilets

Address

Westfield Carpark, North Street, Tillingham, Essex, CM0 7TP

Clerk@tillinghamvillagecouncil.org

Tillingham

Public Toilets situated in Tillingham.
Frangipani SUP

Address

Bath Place Wharf, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5GU

Telephone
07597 094233

info@frangipanisup.com

Maldon

Frangipani SUP is a friendly, family run Stand Up Paddle (SUP) board school based in Maldon, Essex. We operate in various locations in Essex including Maldon, Chelmsford and surrounding areas.
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.
Maldon Library

Address

Carmelite House, White Horse Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5FW

Telephone
0345 603 7628

maldon.library@essex.gov.uk

Maldon

Maldon Library
Blue House Farm

Address

Blue House Farm Chase, North Fambridge, Essex, CM3 6GU

Telephone
+44 (0)1621 862960

admin@essexwt.org.uk

North Fambridge

Blue House Farm was bought by the Essex Wildlife Trust in 1998 with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and many other donors.
Holly's Diner

Address

Crouch Motel, Burnham Road, Latchingdon, Essex, CM3 6EX

Telephone
01621 740770

hollysdiner@outlook.com

Latchingdon

Holly's Diner is attached to the Crouch Motel but open to all. Serving milkshakes, hot drinks, cakes, sandwiches, lunches and snacks, including paninis and jacket potatoes. Licensed bar.

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

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone