LAMBE, John

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

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'LAMBE, John', in Physicians and Irregular Medical Practitioners in London 1550-1640 Database, (London, 2004) pp. . British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/london-physicians/1550-1640/lambe-john [accessed 23 April 2024]

John LAMBE

Biography


Name	John LAMBE
Gender	Male
Primary occupation	medical empiric (Empiric. Magician &c. Astrologer.)
Period of medical practice	1609-1628
Date of birth	?1545
Date of death	June 1628
Address	London 1608-28 & Worcester before/during.
Other notes	Accused of practice & of magic 1619. Examined 1627. V Clark i 259 & Goldstein article. Protégé of & alleged procurer for Buckingham, murdered by London crowd in June 1628 - see ballad.

Censorial hearings


	7 May 1619
Entry	Matthias Evans of the Minories testified that L, a quack and a magician, called 'all ye Collegiates asses and dunces', and asked £40-£50 for cures. He promised Evans half the profits, but did not give them. Evans gave a list of 17 cases, including fortune telling and illusions [details given]. L was called 'a notable Mountebank and Imposter'.
Initiator of the complaint	friend/neighbour/acquaintance of the patient
Action taken	?
Verdict	case not completed
	18 Dec 1627
Entry	Bishop Durham sent a letter on L's behalf; the College was unimpressed because L was notorious 'due to his knowledge of magic, astrology and of other mystic sciences'. For this reason he was generously supported by women of rank. L had fooled Bishop Durham to get himself out of prison. He was examined and found entirely ignorant, and this was reported to the Bishop. L said he had done nothing to encourage his following, but only sold 'fooleries' for monetary gain.
Attitude of the accused	denied
Pressure applied by College	yes
Action taken	?
Verdict	case not completed

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