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 961 to 980.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Woodham Mortimer Parish Field

Address

Post Office Road, Woodham Mortimer, Maldon, CM9 6SY

hwmparishclerk@btinternet.com

Woodham Mortimer

A small, attractive site surrounded by mature hedgerows. Car park, small hall, football pitch and swings.
Steeple Bay Holiday Park

Address

Canney Road, Steeple, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7RS

Telephone
01621 773991

steeple@parkholidays.com

Southminster

Steeple Bay is an ideal park for those who want to get away from life's hustle and bustle... it even has its own private slipway for you to enjoy boating and fishing! The park boasts great facilities including a well-stocked fishing lake (with day…
St Giles Church

Address

Maldon Road, Langford, CM9 4SS

Langford

St Giles' is a unique Grade II* Listed parish church dating from the late 11th century, with an unusual apse at the western end.
Jingle Bell Skate at SK8TERS Roller Rink

Address

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

Telephone
01621 850222

info@madisonheights.info

Maldon

Friday 15 December. Come along for a festive evening of skating to Christmas tunes at at Sk&ters. Enjoy Christmas games and wear a Christmas jumper or hat for discounted entry.
Woodham Walter Common Walk

Address

The Street, Woodham Walter, Essex, CM9 6SA

Woodham Walter

This walk starts and finishes in the ancient and attractive village of Woodham Walter. The views across rural Essex are lovely. The terrain is varied, with arable fields, horse paddocks, a nature reserve and woodland.
Electric vehicle EV charging point - Tollesbury

Address

Gibbons Engineering Group, Woodrolfe Road, Tollesbury, CM9 8RY

Telephone
01621 868138

Tollesbury

Gibbons Engineering Group in Tollesbury, which sells and fits electric car charging points, is opening its own facility up for public use over the weekends - from Friday evening right through until early Monday morning.
The charger is a 22kW…
Bradwell Parish Field

Address

South Street, Bradwell-On-Sea, Southminster, CM0 7QJ

Telephone
01621 773183

bradwellpc@yahoo.co.uk

Bradwell-On-Sea

Attractive site, surrounded by hedgerows and with a number of mature oak trees. Village hall, car park, enclosed children's play area, basketball net, football pitch, picnic benches, youth shelter, BMX skills ramp.
Maldon Ghost Walk

Address

All Saints' Church, High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PY

maldonghostwalk@gmail.com

Maldon

Walking tours filled with ghoulish tales and tantalising tidbits of history (mostly of the gruesome variety).
Syd Moore and the Grand Illusion

Address

Combined Military Services Museum, Station Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LQ

Telephone
01621 841826

julie.miller@cmsm.co.uk

Maldon

Essex author Syd Moore's latest book 'The Grand Illusion' has been published. Julie Miller, the CMSM Museum Curator, was able to help and guide Syd when she visited the museum during the research stage, pinpointing her to the relevant range of…
Purleigh & Stow Maries Aerodrome Walk

Address

Purleigh, Essex, CM3 6QH

Purleigh

This walk explores the countryside around the hilltop village of Purleigh and provides an opportunity to visit a working vineyard and an historic World War I aerodrome near Stow Maries
Key Station

Address

179 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BS

Telephone
0333 032 9655

hello@keystation.co.uk

Maldon

With state of the art key machines and programming software along with over 4000 key variations in stock Key Station is now ready to serve Maldon & the surrounding areas in cutting domestic and commercial keys as well as cut and program vehicle keys…
Crystal Cafe

Address

154 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5BX

Telephone
01621 874990

Maldon

Crystal Cafe is a simple, friendly, good value traditional cafe offering full English fried breakfast, hearty lunches, drinks and snacks.
The Best Bar None

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

Telephone
07900 506785

Thebestbarinessex@gmail.com

Maldon

Until 30 September. Enjoy a drink at the pop-up bar in Maldon's Promenade Park this summer season. The Best Bar None mobile bar can be found on the top field, serving local beers, ales and gins from Mighty Oak Brewery and ciders from The Big Bear…
White Horse Lane Car Park

Address

White Horse Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5QP

Telephone
01621854477

parking.services@maldon.gov.uk

Maldon

Large car park with High Street Access.
RINGO Location Code: 21805
Gardeners Farm Camping

Address

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…
Maylands Baptist Church

Address

St Barnabas Family Centre, Imperial Avenue, Mayland, Essex, CM3 6AH

Telephone
01621 741770

Mayland

Maylands Baptist Church is a small, friendly fellowship enjoying a relaxed, informal style of worship. With no regular Pastor, the congregation enjoys a variety of preachers and speakers from many Christian sources and organisations. These often…
St Peter's Church, Great Totham

Address

Church Road, Great Totham, Essex, CM9 8NP

Great Totham

Arguably one of the most idilic settings in the district, this beautiful Grade II listed chuch sits a short walk from Great Totham, next to the site of Great Totham Hall. The grounds are intersected by several footpaths giving access to South Wood,…
Elmwood Equestrian Centre

Address

Elm Farm, Maldon Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8NT

Telephone
01621 783216

Burnham-on-Crouch

Qualified instructors cater for all ages and stages. Very good hacking, long distance horse riding, pony trekking and beach rides. Introduction to riding - lead rein for the very young, plus group and private lessons. Weight limit 15 st.
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.
The Royal Oak

Address

Fambridge Road, Maldon, CM9 6PE

Telephone
01621 853249

royal_oak.hazeleigh@yahoo.co.uk

Maldon

The Royal Oak in Maldon is a traditional country pub that is now connected to the new Handley Gardens estate by footpath, making it the "local" for the town's new residents. Run by Kim & Carol, the pub has a spacious beer garden and serves food from…

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

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone