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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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Rowlands Pharmacy

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10A Bentalls Shopping Centre, Heybridge, CM9 4GD

Telephone
01621 850559

Heybridge

Pharmacy and chemist in the Bentalls shopping centre in Heybridge. Dispenses prescriptions, offers healthcare advice and a good selection of over the counter medicines and vitamins.
Friary Walled Garden

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Maldon, Essex, CM9 5FW

Telephone
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lindalister96@googlemail.com

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It is an old garden site and suffered a period of neglect but is now being cared for by volunteers from Maldon & Heybridge Horticultural Society. The garden is very small and normally open to the public for a short time once a month.
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The Canary Shed, Creeksea Place Farm, Ferry Road, Burnham on Crouch, Essex, CM0 8PJ

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01621786503

weddings@thecanaryshed.co.uk

Ferry Road, Burnham on Crouch

Are you on the hunt for the perfect place to get hitched? We're throwing open the doors to The Canary Shed on Sunday 2nd March 2025 from 1pm-3pm.
Southey Creek Glamping

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Searchlight House, Bramble Hall, Mundon Road, Mundon, Essex, CM9 6PN

Telephone
07970401470

julie@southeycreekglamping.co.uk

Mundon Road , Mundon

Catch up with a good friend, take your loved one for a romantic holiday or honeymoon; or just relax, escape and enjoy the scenery from our 2 x beautiful wooden Glamping Pods. Our accommodation has everything you need to ensure an enjoyable holiday…
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Heybridge Approach, Heybridge, Maldon, CM9 4PS

Telephone
01621 854477

contact@maldon.gov.uk

Heybridge

Consists of meadow, rank vegetation, scrub trees, wet ditches and open water. A man-made lake and island make up about one third of the site. Facilities include all weather paths and a number of seats near the lake.
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Bradwell Waterside, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7QY

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01621 776256

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Bradwell-on-Sea

Get on the water with Essex Outdoors for a Sailing Experience Day on the River Blackwater Estuary. Whether you want to learn the ropes and try your hand at helming or simply sit back, relax and enjoy the stunning surroundings, the choice is yours.…
Madison Heights - Family Entertainment & Party Centre

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

Telephone
01621 850222

info@madisonheights.info

Maldon

Madison Heights in Maldon offers 60,000 sq ft of family fun. Here you will find 12 Ten Pin Bowling lanes, a games arcade with ticket machines to win prizes,, Pool tables, Henri's Bar & Grill, Monkey Puzzle Soft Play Centre with its own coffee shop…
Princes and Princesses Family Funday

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Osea Leisure Park, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4SA

Telephone
01621 854695

info@osealeisurepark.co.uk

Maldon

Become a part of the fairytale and wear your finest prince or princess attire to compete in our fancy dress competition and be showered with splendours as our very own Osea King and Queen. Our talented face painters will transform you into the…
Parlour Café

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Creeksea Place Farm, Ferry Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8PJ

Telephone
01621 785 292

info@parlour-cafe.com

Burnham-on-Crouch

Parlour Cafe might be slightly off the beaten track, but with great coffee, tea, milkshakes, freshly made lemonades and a bar this is the place to be! We have free parking, free wifi, a large, dog-friendly garden, a seperate dog-friendly cafe, and a…
Steeple Playing Field

Address

Garden Fields, Steeple, Essex, CM0 7JY

Telephone
01621 868352

steepleparishcouncil@gmail.com

Steeple

This site consists of a large area of grass surrounded by hedges. Football pitch, unfenced children's play site and basketball net
Maldon Shipwrights and the New Museum of London

Address

United Reformed Church, Market Hill, Maldon, alal, CM9 4PZ

Telephone
01621 853428

maldonsociety@aol.com

Maldon

Julian Harrap is the specialist conservational architect who has overseen "the saving of West Smithfield market and its Translation into the New Museum of London" and the role of Maldon Shipwrights in the project.
Maldon Carers Support Group

Address

West Maldon Community Centre, Sunbury Way, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6YH

Telephone
0300 303 1555

midessex@carersfirst.org.uk

Maldon

First Monday of the month. This group is a social get together for unpaid adult carers across the Maldon District. This group is also where carers can come along and speak to a experienced Carers Support Adviser to find out information, advice and…
Studio On The Quay

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The Quay, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8AR

Telephone
01621 781100

Burnham-on-Crouch

Event space on Burnham-on-Crouch Quay, available for exhibitions, classes and more.
Tolleshunt Knights Village Hall & Field

Address

Top Road, Tolleshunt Knights, Maldon, Essex, CM9 8EU

Maldon

Tolleshunt Knights Village Hall & Playing Field
Le Bouchon Hotel & Brasserie

Address

The Square, Holloway Road, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4LT

Telephone
01621 856511

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Heybridge

A grade II listed, 300 year old Georgian building in the small village of Heybridge, close to Maldon.
Beekeeping Taster Day

Address

Museum of Power, Hatfield Road, Langford, Essex, CM9 6QA

Telephone
07979862952

secretary@maldonbeekeepers.org.uk

Langford

RUN BY MALDON AND DENGIE BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION.
Each day is designed to give an insight into keeping bees and will give you the opportunity to have some hands-on experience with real live bees alongside an experienced beekeeper, as well as learn…
Ocean Chinese Restaurant & Takeaway

Address

155/157 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5BS

Telephone
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Maldon

Ocean Chinese Restaurant & Takeaway offers all your favourite oriental dishes, including chow mein, egg foo yung and sweet and sour dishes. Home delivery and takeaway is available.
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Address

North Street, Southminster, CM0 7DF

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01621 772712

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The White Horse Hotel is a traditional pub in the centre of Southminster that also offers simple rooms. There are eight double and two single rooms available, with shared bathrooms and TV with Sky. Some of the rooms are let long term and others are…
Crisp Design Services Ltd

Address

34 Elizabeth Way, Heybridge, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4TG

Telephone
01621842348

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St Agnes Fountain at Maldon Town Hall

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Maldon Town Hall, Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PZ

Maldon

Monday 11 December. Affectionately known as 'The Aggies' and 'The Christmas Band'. The beloved 'St Agnes Fountain' have toured every December since 2001 bar one, and we all know which one that was! Now they are ready to tread the tinsel boards once…

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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