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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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Burnham Sailing Club

Address

West Quay, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8AS

Telephone
01621 782624

enquiries@burnhamsc.co.uk

Burnham-on-Crouch

Our club offers a friendly atmosphere, a varied social programme and good facilities. We provide excellent training for our strong junior section. There is competitive Wednesday evening racing for cruisers, day boats and dinghies.
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…
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Totham Plains, The Street, Little Totham, CM9 8JQ

Little Totham

Little Totham's moving modern war memorial was only built in 2019 and commemorates Private Ernest Albert Belcher who died in 1917 and Private Charles Chaplin who died in 1920. The memorial, next to the village sign, comprises three steel Tommy…
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151 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BS

Telephone
01621 874912

Maldon

USA has a wide takeaway menu of all your favourite dishes, so everyone in the family can enjoy something different. We have crispy fried chicken, burgers, pizzas, kebas, garlic bread, wraps, nuggets, kids meals and recession-beating meal deals,…
Promenade Valley Play Area & Galleon

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

Maldon

Welcome to the Valley Play Area in Maldon's Promenade Park!
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Tolleshunt D'Arcy Maypole

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

Tolleshunt D'Arcy

In the middle of the road junction in Tolleshunt D'Arcy stands the village maypole, one of the few remaining original maypoles to be found. The bottom has been protected by a wooden cage.
Burnham Clock Tower

Address

High Street, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8AA

Burnham-on-Crouch
Carmelite Way Car Park (weekend only)

Address

40 White Horse Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5QP

Telephone
01621854477

parking.services@maldon.gov.uk

Maldon

Car Parking with High Street Access.
RINGO Location Code: 21804
North Fambridge Village Hall

Address

Ferry Road, North Fambridge, CM3 6LS

Telephone
01621 742112

North Fambridge

Village Hall is available for meetings and events
Burnham Wick Farm

Address

Wick Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8LU

Telephone
01621 782128

zimsmiths@yahoo.co.uk

Burnham-on-Crouch

Adjoining the River Crouch, the farm offers a permissive access trail with information boards featuring details of ancient crop marks, salt extraction and wildlife. The circular route takes you through the farm returning via the sea wall.
Mark Farmhouse

Address

Bradwell on Sea, Essex, CM0 7SP

Bradwell on Sea

Located in Bradwell on Sea in the Essex region, Mark Farmhouse features a garden. The accommodation is 24.9 miles from Chelmsford, and guests benefit from private parking available on site and free WiFi.
The holiday home is equipped with 4…
The Kitchen

Address

44 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8BQ

Telephone
01621 928339

Burnham

The Kitchen is an authentic Indian and Peri Peri fusion restaurant and takeaway with a wide range of cuisine. You will find Indian tandoori grills, curries and biryanis, alongside peri peri platters of tasty chicken in a choice of sauces and all…
Madison Lanes Tenpin Bowling

Address

Madison Heights, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

Telephone
01621 850222

info@madisonheights.info

Maldon

Madison Lanes at Madison Heights is a tenpin bowling centre with 12 Ten Pin Bowling lanes. Buffers are available for novice bowlers, and ramps to bowl the ball for people in wheelchairs, so everyone in the family can join in the fun.
The indoor,…
Ruby's Indian Cuisine

Address

9 South Street, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, CM9 8TR

Telephone
01621 868942

rubys@live.co.uk

Tolleshunt D'Arcy

Ruby's Indian Cuisine offers authentic Indian food in the heart of the Essex countryside, with a wide range of freshly cooked specialities and favourites. Along with Balti, tandoori and curry dishes you can find specialities such as Nepalese Everest…
Riverside Park Public Toilets

Address

Riverside Park, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HS

Telephone
01621 854477

Burnham-on-Crouch

Public Toilets situated in Riverside Park in Burnham-on-Crouch.
Beeleigh Falls & Heybridge Basin - Self-Guided Walk No. 1.7

Address

Butt Lane Car Park, Butt Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HD

Maldon

SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 7.25 miles. This most enjoyable waterside walk provides the perfect introduction to Maldon’s countryside and riverside, including the scenic Beeleigh Falls and the seawall beside the Blackwater Estuary.
Blue Boar

Address

Silver Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4QE

Telephone
01621 855888

blueboarmaldon@gmail.com

Maldon

The hotel offers a range of elegant accommodation with 28 en-suite bedrooms, 4 historic suites, and rooms range from a standard single or doubles with imposing four poster beds.
Carpenters Arms

Address

33 Gate Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5QF

Telephone
01621 859896

thecarpentersarmsmaldon@outlook.com

Maldon

This 15th-century CAMRA award winning pub has a village feel despite its town location. Beer and cider festivals are held annually and lunchtime snacks are available.
Ground Coffee House

Address

22 High Street, Burnham, CM0 8AA

Telephone
01621 786569

Burnham

Welcome to Ground Coffee House 'the home you never knew you had' Serving gorgeous Coffee and the best bistro style bites. We are a family run business priding ourselves on a fresh contemporary menu and old school service with a smile. Food includes…
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Address

24 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM94PJ

Telephone
07957 856242

den@denphillipsphotos.com

Maldon

Until December 31. Salty Dogs pop-up Christmas shop showcases the work of local artists in the Maldon area. Organised by photographer Den Phillips, you will also find gifts, cards, calendars and much more in store.

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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