SWAINE, Robert | British History Online

Physicians and Irregular Medical Practitioners in London 1550-1640 Database. Originally published by Centre for Metropolitan History, London, 2004.

Citation:

Margaret Pelling, Frances White, 'SWAINE, Robert', in Physicians and Irregular Medical Practitioners in London 1550-1640 Database( London, 2004), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/london-physicians/1550-1640/swaine-robert [accessed 31 October 2024].

Robert SWAINE

Biography


Name	Robert SWAINE (SWAYN, SWAYNE)
Gender	Male
Primary occupation	medical surgeon (Surgeon. BSC 1600-9.)
Period of medical practice	1584-1619
Place of birth	England (Stowmarket, Suffolk)
Address	Horsey Downe 1604. Southwark 1609
Other notes	Accused 1599, 1604-9. Warned, fined, imprisoned. Archbishop of Canterbury's L for surgery, 1584.

Known London address


	Tower Street
Ward	Tower (Street)
Date	1599
	Horsey Downe
Date	1604
	Southwark
Ward	Bridge Without
Date	1609

Censorial hearings


	2 Nov 1599
Entry	Thomas Jackson, baker, of Tower Street, filed a complaint against S for treating an ulcer on his leg (unsuccessfully) and charging 22s.
Initiator of the complaint	patient
Action taken	?
Verdict	case not completed
Number of crimes	1
	22 Dec 1604
Entry	S, of Horsey Downe, confessed to practising with Whitehead of Cumberland - his patient Tilsden had died in 4 days after many purges, e.g. Diaphenicon and similar. S had undertaken to cure T for £10 and had taken £5 in advance. But because of his 'extreme poverty and indigence' he was not punished. He informed on BLUNT (94, qv) as a well-known practitioner.
Action taken	Forbidden to practise but not punished.
Verdict	guilty
Sentence	Forbidden to practise but not punished
Number of crimes	1
	4 Dec 1606
Entry	Dr Dove sent a letter saying that S had given Mary Walker a medicine which caused abortion on the following day. This was confirmed by Dale and the Widow Pinshurst of Bishops Gate. S was absent.
Initiator of the complaint	other medical practitioner
Second initiator of the complaint	person unconnected with the patient or the case
Third initiator of the complaint	person unconnected with the patient or the case
Attitude of the accused	absent
Action taken	Fined £5 and to be arrested and imprisoned.
Verdict	guilty
Sentence	Fined £5 and to be imprisoned
Number of crimes	1
	22 Dec 1606
Entry	S appeared, but his case was deferred till the next meeting.
Action taken	Deferred. See next.
Number of crimes	1
	9 Jan 1607
Entry	S, a 'shameless imposter', was imprisoned.
Action taken	Imprisoned.
Number of crimes	1
	7 Aug 1607
Entry	S was accused of practice on a boy in his house who had died. The College had decided to fine him £5 and to imprison him, but S claimed that the boy had died of plague.
Attitude of the accused	denied
Action taken	Punishment (£5 fine and prison) deferred.
Number of crimes	1
	4 Dec 1607
Entry	S repeated his excuse.
Attitude of the accused	denied
Action taken	To reappear at next meeting.
Number of crimes	1
	8 Jan 1608
Entry	The College found that S had not abstained from practice. He was imprisoned and fined £5. He paid 40s. and was released, complaining of harsh treatment, for a law suit in the Exchequer pending against him. This had been brought by Browne and Rouse, informers, and concerned money S had (allegedly) received from a Scot.
Action taken	Imprisoned, fined £5. 40s. paid, released for law suit.
Verdict	guilty
Sentence	Imprisoned and fined £5. Paid 40s. Released for law suit
Number of crimes	2