working life of women seventeenth century - School of Economics ...

278 PROFESSIONS PROFESSIONS 279in such Cases of Necessity was commonly performedby the Midwife ; and 'tis very probable, this gavefirst Occasion to Midwives being licensed by theBishop, because they were to be first examined by theBishop or his delegated Officer, whether they couldrepeat the Form of Baptism, which they were inHaste to administer in such extraordinary Occasion.But we thank God our times are reformed in Sense,and in Religion."' Though the midwife was onlyexpected to baptize in urgent cases she might strainher privilege, and baptize even a healthy infantinto the Roman Church. Her power in this respectwas regarded with suspicion and jealousy by EnglishProtestants, not only because she might inadvertentlyadmit the infant to the wrong fold, but because itresembled the conferring of office in the Church uponwomen ; however, as no man was usually present atthe birth of a child, and it was fully believed that delaymight involve che perpetual damnation of the dyinginfant's soul, no alternative remained. Peter Heylyn,,in writing of Baptism, comments on the difficulty,,saying that " the first Reformers did not only allowthe administration of this Sacrament [Baptism] inprivate houses, but permitted it to private persons,even to women also." He continues that when KingJames, in the Conference at Hampton Court, seemedoffended because ofthis liberty to women andlaicks, Dr. Whitgift, Archbishop of Canterbury, deniedthat the words gave this liberty, and Dr. Babingtonalledged " that the words were purposely madeambiguous as otherwise the Book might not havepassed Parliament. To whom it was replied by theBishop of London that there was no intent to deceiveany, but the words did indeed " intend a permissionof private persons to Baptize in case of necessity.""The fear of secret baptisms into the Catholic' Watson, Clergyman's Law, p. 318.' Heylyn (Peter), Cypn'anus Anzlicus, p. 27.Church is shown in a letter which states that " thewief of Frances Lovell esqr of West ~ e ris 6 noted ~ fora recusant. And the said Frances had a childe aboutthree yeares past christianed by a midwief sent thitherby the La. Lovell, and the midwief's- name cannotbe learned."'It was this danger which led to the prosecution ofwomen who practised without licences. The Church-wardens at Lee presented " the Widow Goney and thewife of Thomas Gronge being midwives & not sworne."In Hadingham they report " We have two poorewomen exercising the office of midwives, one AviceRax and the wife of one John Sallerie,"' and elsewhere" Dorothye Holding tvief of Jo. Holding & DorothyeParkins wief of W" Parkins" were presented " forexercising the office of midwives without License."'The fees charged by mi'dwives varied from E300 inthe case of the French Midwife who attended theQueen, to the sum of IS. 6d. paid by the Parish ofAspenden to the midwife who delivered a woman66 received by virtue of a warrant from the justice^."^In most cases the amount paid by the parents wassupplemented by gifts from the friends and relationswho attended the ~hristening.~ Thus the baby'sBacon, (Sir Nat.). Oficial Papers, p. 176. 1591.S. P. D., ccxcvi., 17. August 21, 1635. Visitation presentments by tbeChurchwardens.a S. P. D., ccxcv., 6. August 19, 1636.' Hertford County Rccordr, Vol. I., p. 435. 1698.The Rev. Giles Moore "gave Mat [his adopted daughter] then answering forEdwd. Cripps young daughter 5s. whereof shee gave to the mydwyfe 2s & IS. to theNurse. Myself gave to the mydwyfe in the drinking bowle IS. (Sussex Arcb. CoU.,Vol. I., p. 113. Rev. Gales Moore, Journal.)Later IS entered in the lournal, he being god-father " 1674. Mat was brought tobed of a daughter. Gave the mydwyfe, goodwyfe & Nurse 5s. each." (Ihrd, p. I 19.)After Lady Darce's confinement at Herstmonceux Castle, is entered In the accountr"paid my Lord's benetolence to Widdow Craddock the midwife of Rattle As. 0.0.(Sussex Arrb. Coil., Vol. xlvii~. 1643-1649.)Entries in a similar book of the Howard family give " To my yoiinq ladye's midwyfexxS (p. 22--8) TO Mrs. Fairfax her Midwifc by my Lord &. . . . bymy Ladie xxS. More to Mrs Fairefax her midwite by my Ladie's commaund iij'l "(Howard IiourebolJ lio~k. p. 26% 1629.)