The Midwives of Seventeenth-Century London , Cambridge Studies in the History of Medicine (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011). ISBN: 13 978-0-521-02785-4 (PB). xvii + 260pp. (review)

Abstract

204 Health & History, 2012. 14/1 Book Reviews Doreen Evenden, The Midwives of Seventeenth-Century London, Cambridge Studies in the History of Medicine (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011). ISBN: 13 978-0-521-02785-4 (PB). xvii + 260pp. Accounts of early modern women and their contribution to medicine have begun to surface in recent years, yet the reclamation of women’s stories remains an ongoing process. Doreen Evenden makes great advances toward this aim in her unique and exciting monograph on midwifery. Previously, midwives have been viewed as ‘ignorant, incompetent and poor’ (p. 1). Evenden rejects these traditional and disparaging views and recasts seventeenth-century London midwives in a different light. This monograph is divided into five chapters, an epilogue, and several detailed appendices. Chapter one addresses the semi-regulated aspect of London midwifery. It highlights that midwives were licensed with the Church of England; they paid fees, and swore an oath upon licensing. Evenden demonstrates that London midwives were akin to a professional association and were expected to meet specific moral, spiritual, and skilled standards. In chapter two, Evenden uncovers parallels between midwives and other trade-based apprenticeships. Evenden uses archival sources to demonstrate that midwives formed large supportive networks and they underwent a lengthy process to attain their trade. This relatively organic system of apprenticeship was acknowledged and accepted by the professional medical establishment, suggesting a measure of respect for midwives. Chapter three contains an enjoyable and detailed narrative of theexperiencesofmidwives:howtheyperformedthetaskofchild delivery and the implications of seventeenth-century childbirth. Using primary sources to give voice to London midwives, Evenden brings life to the women who inspired her monograph. A picture emerges of large communities of midwives and clients, surprisingly mirroring the experiences of rural England. Health & History ● 14/1 ● 2012 205 In chapter four Evenden provides a socioeconomic profile of London midwives. Midwives were usually married or widowed, of a more mature age when licensed, and they were well paid. Midwives have been misrepresented as incompetent and underprivileged, but they actually experienced considerable standing in their community. Chapter five lists biographical details of seventy-six midwives from twelve parishes. This chapter is, admittedly, data-laden and somewhat awkward to read, but it provides new information regarding midwives’ identities. This data is invaluable to the study of early modern midwives and historical developments in medicine. Inpresentingthisexcitingnewarchivalresearch,Evendenhas provided little contextualisation of the broader historical events. The seventeenth century saw great political, social, and religious upheaval in the British Isles. Arguably the most disruptive event in the seventeenth century, Evenden argues that the English Civil Wars’ ‘impact on the lives of London midwives left few traces’ (p. 16). This is an interesting conclusion to draw since the climate of war—fear, general disorder, the possible threat of uprising within London, and the king’s advance on that city in late 1642— had considerable effect on contemporaries. In fact, a major gap in licensing records for midwives exists for 1642–60, possibly demonstrating that midwives did not attain licenses during these years. By failing to provide, or acknowledge, this contextual information, Evenden has presented the London midwives as an isolated microcosm. This appears intentional, done to ensure midwives’ everyday experiences stood at the centre of her work. This approach leaves much room for academics to problematise the experiences of early modern women in relation to wider historical trends. Surprisingly, Evenden does not discuss gender and space in her work. Again, this appears to be intentional, because while reclaiming these midwives’ stories, Evenden purposefully disregards all gendered, negative, literary-based sources. These sources demonstrate the prevailing gender norms and beliefs about women’s roles in society. They form a component of women’s experiences in the early modern period, yet Evenden has purposefully eschewed their existence. Midwives were as susceptible to the prevailing assumptions about gender roles and would have had to conform to these ideals. Gendered viewpoints 206 BOOK REVIEWS also explain some of the negative perceptions of midwives that have been carried through the historiography. Despite these criticisms, Evenden’s work is an inspiring reconstruction of the stories of seventeenth-century London midwives. The strength of this work is its extensive use of archival material, the generosity with which...