The Midwives of Seventeenth-Century London (Cambridge Studies in the History of Medicine) - Hardcover

Evenden, Doreen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521661072 ISBN 13: 9780521661072

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2000

Synopsis

This book is a comprehensive and detailed study of early modern midwives in seventeenth-century London. Until quite recently, midwives, as a group, have been dismissed by historians as being inadequately educated and trained for the task of child delivery. The Midwives of Seventeenth-Century London rejects these claims by exploring the midwives' training and their licensing in an unofficial apprenticeship by the Church. Dr Evenden also offers an accurate depiction of the midwives in their socioeconomic context by examining a wide range of seventeenth-century sources. This expansive study not only recovers the names of almost one thousand women who worked as midwives in the twelve London parishes, but also brings to light details about their spouses, their families and their associates.

About this title

Review:

'This carefully crafted book presents the reader with page after page of impeccably researched detail which brings to life the hard-working and often clever and well-reputed midwives of seventeenth-century London. This book is a must not only for scholars working on the history of midwifery and childbirth, but is also essential reading for all those with an interest in early modern women's lives and work.' Hilary Marland, University of Warwick

'The amount and variety of archival material the author worked through is undoubtedly impressive. And it is precisely her use of archival data as opposed to contemporary accounts and printed sources that makes Evenden's work so original.' Medical History

Book Description:

This is a comprehensive study of midwives in seventeenth-century London. This volume explores the midwives' training and their licensing in an unofficial apprenticeship by the Church and places the midwives in their socioeconomic context by examining a wide range of seventeenth-century sources.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0521661072
• ISBN 13: 9780521661072
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 280