CHAMBERLEN, Peter (the Younger) | 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, 'CHAMBERLEN, Peter (the Younger)', 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/chamberlen-peter-the-younger [accessed 24 November 2024].

Peter (the Younger) CHAMBERLEN

Biography


Name	Peter (the Younger) CHAMBERLEN (CHAMBERLAINE, CHAMBERLAYNE)
Gender	Male
Primary occupation	medical barber-surgeon (Barber-surgeon. Surgeon to Queen Anne of Denmark. BSC 1599-1611)
Period of medical practice	1597-1626
Place of birth	England (French, born in Southampton)
Date of birth	8 Feb 1572
Date of death	1626
Other notes	Trouble 1607-20. M Sarah, sister of Gideon de Laune. Brother of 152 and father of 154.
Medical specialities	Midwifery, obstetrics

Censorial hearings


	7 Aug 1607
Entry	C was accused by Dr Ridley of giving an electuary to Mr Lille's son and of giving pills causing bowel flux to a girl.
Initiator of the complaint	college member
Action taken	Warned by the President.
Number of crimes	2
	29 Nov 1613
Entry	Dr. Fludd felt that several other instances [of rudeness] ought to be quoted, mentioning in particular Peter Chamberlaine junior who had used most insolent language against himself and other Fellows.
Initiator of the complaint	college member
Attitude of the accused	absent
Action taken	?None.
	3 Dec 1613
Entry	James and Elizabeth Stopes presented petition against C., accusing him of having promised to restore them to health in a few weeks, charging £10 for this (£5 paid in advance), and treating them both for 1 year, after which they were worse. (Stopes had subsequently approached Moore of Knightsbridge for treatment.) Dr Fludd also had charges to prefer against C.
Initiator of the complaint	patient
Second initiator of the complaint	patient
Third initiator of the complaint	college member
Action taken	Summoned to hear Fludd's charges.
Number of crimes	2
	m S Thomas 1613
Entry	C was summoned.
Attitude of the accused	absent
Action taken	?See next.
	14 Jan 1614
Entry	C appeared and defended his practice ('pro prax multiplici, mala, illicita dixerit').
Attitude of the accused	made an excuse
Action taken	?
Verdict	case not completed
	6 May 1615
Entry	C excused his practice by saying that he ignored the pulse. He was accused of treating Mrs Tullie, servant of Mr Carpenter, and others.
Initiator of the complaint	college member
Attitude of the accused	made an excuse
Action taken	Dismissed because Dr Herring, who had charged him, was absent.
Verdict	case not completed
Number of crimes	1
	21 Feb 1617
Entry	C appeared to plead the case of the midwives and 'boasted that he and his brother were the only ones who excelled in these matters'. He was snubbed, but the College was open-minded about the midwives - C left to decide whether incorporation was the answer. Coll insisted on prior examination before Bp or his Chancellor shd admit midwives to practice. Coll wd prosecute unskilful midwives. Coll might give the midwives an Anatomy Lecture.
Action taken	Formal reply given to C in letter of 3 June 1617 (+ petition).
	2 June 1620
Entry	C confessed to having given colocynth to a patient who had been abandoned by Dr Argent & Dr Goulston. He defended this by reference to a treatise of Massaria, printed in Venice (p.43!). Despite this, the College considered the medicine dangerous. Drs Argent, Clement & Goulston charged C with 3-5 other cases of women in childbed. Letter on C's behalf from Lord Chamberlain was read.
Initiator of the complaint	college member
Second initiator of the complaint	college member
Third initiator of the complaint	college member
Pressure applied by College	yes
Action taken	Dismissed, but Drs Atkins, Argent & Harvey would visit Lord C.
Number of crimes	6
	7 July 1620
Entry	C was exhorted to abstain from medical practice.
Action taken	Warned to abstain and dismissed.
Verdict	guilty
Sentence	Warned to abstain
	6 Nov 1607
Entry	C was accused by Dr RAWLINS 617 of giving unctions, sweating-potions and purges to Richard Welch, an arthritic of Thames Street. C said that he had followed the advice of Dr Lawney, his father-in-law. He had not obtained a written prescription from him, however.
Initiator of the complaint	college member
Attitude of the accused	made an excuse
Action taken	Fined 5 marks. To give a bond against non-payment.
Verdict	guilty
Sentence	Fined 5 marks and to give bond against non-payment
Number of crimes	1
	5 Feb 1608
Entry	C paid £3 of the 5 marks.
Action taken	Excused the rest of the 5-mark fine.
	5 Aug 1608
Entry	Dr Pattison charged C with treating Mrs Bashe. C confessed.
Initiator of the complaint	college member
Attitude of the accused	confessed
Action taken	Fined 4 marks.
Verdict	guilty
Sentence	Fined 4 marks
Number of crimes	1
	1 Dec 1609
Entry	C was asked to reappear.
Action taken	Asked to reappear. See next.
	m S Thomas 1609
Entry	C appeared.
Action taken	C was fined 40s.
Verdict	guilty
Sentence	Fined 40s.
	12 Jan 1610
Entry	C excused himself.
Action taken	?
	5 Oct 1610
Entry	C was examined. Details in the Book of Examinations (not extant).
Attitude of the accused	asked for College membership
Action taken	?
	m Palm Sun 1613
Entry	Dr Goulston charged C in his absence.
Initiator of the complaint	college member
Attitude of the accused	absent
Action taken	?
Verdict	case not completed
Number of crimes	1