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 1041 to 1060.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Hillcroft

Address

Maldon, Essex, CM3 6PT

Maldon

Set in Maldon in the Essex region, Hillcroft has a patio. The accommodation is 22.4 miles from Clacton-on-Sea, and guests benefit from private parking available on site and free WiFi.
This holiday home is fitted with 1 bedroom, a TV, and a kitchen…
Wickham Bishops Library

Address

School Road, Wickham Bishops, Essex, CM8 3NU

Telephone
0345 6037628

WickhamBishops.Library@essex.gov.uk

Wickham Bishops

Wickham Bishops Library
Great Totham

Address

Great Totham, Essex, CM9 8DA

Great Totham

Great Totham is a large parish village in Maldon district, Essex, England situated midway between Chelmsford and Colchester.
Millennium Wood

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

Telephone
01621 854477

contact@maldon.gov.uk

Maldon

Millenium Wood is an extension of Promenade Park & is a wildlife area consisting of woodland plantation, scrub & rough grassland.
All Saints' Church, Maldon

Address

High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4QE

Telephone
01621 853470

Maldon

Our doors are open to everybody of all faiths – all are welcome in this house. Come along to one (or more) of our services or any of the many events held in this beautiful old building. We guarantee you a warm and friendly reception.
Queens Head, Tolleshunt D'arcy

Address

15 North Street, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Maldon, CM9 8TF

Telephone
01621 860262

contact@thequeensheaddarcy.co.uk

Tolleshunt D'Arcy

This friendly pub has two bars offering various guest ales alongside traditional favourites and a restaurant serving fresh home cooked food prepared with locally sourced produce.
Christmas Carols and Cheer

Address

Maldon Town Hall, Market Hill, Maldon, CM9 4RL

Telephone
07557 119161

thehivechurchoffice@gmail.com

Maldon

Sunday 17 December. All are welcome to an afternoon of carols, music, kids crafts, mince pies and mulled wine and festive fun and games - family friendly and free. Wear a Christmas jumper if you have one!
Lunchtime Concerts

Address

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

Maldon

Monthly. Churches Together in Maldon organises a popular series of lunchtime concerts set in the spacious Maldon United Reformed Church. The church opens at 12:30 with hot drinks and light refreshments available to purchase, or you are very welcome…
Ironworks Meadow

Address

Fullbridge, Heybridge, Maldon, CM9 4NX

Telephone
07591 023715

cabreserve@outlook.com

Heybridge

Part of the site is accessible via a boardwalk from the footpath leading to the bridge over the canal at the far end of Tesco car park. Visitors should not leave this boardwalk as the site contains areas of deep water.
Jepcrack's Barns

Address

Church Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 8NS

Telephone
07717 277238

jepcracksbarn@hotmail.com

Maldon

Jepcrack’s Barns Self Catering at Great Totham, near Maldon , offers you all the home comforts and ample space you need inside one of our four character-filled properties, each and every one of them unique.
We are a small family business so you’re…
Lets Go Bonkers

Address

Units 7 & 8, Station Industrial Estate, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8RW

Telephone
01621 782874

info@letsgobonkers.com

Burnham-on-Crouch

Let’s Go Bonkers is East Essex’s most exciting and professionally designed premier indoor children’s soft play studio, featuring two uniquely designed multilevel play studios, which has something for everyone.
Oasis Dining

Address

11 High Street, Southminster, CM0 7AA

Telephone
01621 772172

oasisindiandining@yahoo.com

Southminster

Oasis Dining offers authentic Indian cuisine along with imaginative fusion dishes using fresh ingredients. Parties can be catered for. The restaurant is not licensed to sell alcohol but you can bring your own. Takeaway is also available, with a 10%…
ComPassionate Kitchen

Address

27 Crouch Road, Burnham on Crouch, Essex, CM0 8DX

Telephone
07593 082473

compassionatepizza@gmail.com

Burnham on Crouch

Vegan kitchen offering pizzas, Thai and Indian curries, Ethiopian and Middle Eastern dishes for takeaway and free home delivery in Burnham. Service is provided on Wednesdays (order by 5pm on Tuesday) and on Saturdays (order by 12 noon on Friday).
Dick Whittington Pantomime

Address

Wickham Bishops Village Hall, Church Road, Wickham Bishops, CM8 3JZ

wickhambishopsdrama@gmail.com

Wickham Bishops

Friday 5 & Saturday 6 January. Pantomime is back in Wickham Bishops, with a fun version of Dick Whittington, suitable for all age groups, performed by Wickham Bishops Drama Guild.
Goldhanger Through the Ages - Self-Guided Walk No. 3.1

Address

Church Street, Goldhanger, Essex, CM9 8AS

Goldhanger

SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 2.8 miles. Explore the charming village of Goldhanger where you can see remains from Iron Age, Saxon and Roman times, an 11th century church and a 100-year-old village pump. Along the seawall you will see a host of…
Midsummer Music Festival

Address

The Canary Shed, Creeksea Farm, Ferry Road, Burnham on Crouch, Essex, CM0 8PJ

Telephone
01621786503

weddings@thecanaryshed.co.uk

Ferry Road, Burnham on Crouch

Our annual Midsummer Music Festival at Creeksea Place Farm is returning on Friday the 26th and Saturday the 27th July 2024! Join us for two evenings of delicious local food and talented musicians!
Friary Fields Car Park

Address

Friary Fields, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HD

Telephone
01621854477

parking.services@maldon.gov.uk

Maldon

Long Stay Car Parking with access to Maldon High Street.
RINGO Location Code: 21803
Springfield Road Park

Address

Springfield Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8UA

Telephone
01621 854477

contact@maldon.gov.uk

Burnham-on-Crouch

This park is comprised of mown grassland with a large number of mature trees of different species and a play park.
Maldon Wick Nature Reserve - Walk it Local

Address

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

Maldon

2.6 miles. This short Walk it Local route is an easy stroll starting close to Maldon town centre, but taking in the lovely Maldon Wick Nature Reserve and part of the disused railway line. Depending on the season you might see rare butterflies,…
Curry Farm

Address

Mill End, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7HL

Telephone
01621 776547

jeanmillend@btinternet.com

Bradwell-on-Sea

Self catering accommodation close to the Essex coast. Situated in 65 acres of private nature reserve.

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

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Telephone

Address

Address

Telephone