According to Mrs. Cellier, English midwives were for a time examined by the College of Surgeons, but as their records for the years in question are missing there is no means of ascertaining the numbers of those who presented themselves for examination. She says that Bishops did not “pretend to License Midwives till Bp. _Bonner’s_ time, who drew up the Form of the first License, which continued in full force till 1642, and then the Physicians and Chirurgeons contending about it, it was adjudged a Chyrurgical operation, and the Midwives were Licensed at _Chirurgions-Hall, but not till they had passed three_ _examinations, before six skilful Midwives, and as many Chirurgions expert in the Art of Midwifery_. Thus it continued until the Act of Uniformity passed, which sent the Midwives back to _Doctors Commons_, where they pay their money (_take an oath which it is impossible for them to keep_) and return home as skilful as they went thither. I make no reflections on those learned Gentlemen, the Licensers, but refer the curious for their further satisfaction to the Yearly Bills of Mortality, from 42 to 62; Collections of which they may find at _Clerkshall_. Which if they please to compare with these of late Years, they will find there did not then happen the eight part of the Casualities either to Women or Children, as do now.”[633] Footnote 633: Cellier (Eliz.). _To Dr. —— an answer to his Queries concerning the Colledg of Midwives_, p. 6. In granting licences to midwives the Bishops were supposed to make some enquiry as to their professional attainments. Among the “articles to be enquired of” during Diocesan visits was one “whether any man or woman within your Parish, hath professed or practised Physick or Chyrurgery; by what name or names are they called, and whether are they licensed by the Bishop of the Diocesse, or his Vicar Generall, and upon whom have they practised, and what good or harm have they done?”[634] And again, “whether any in your Parish do practise Physicke or chirurgery, or that there be any midwife there, or by what authority any of them do practise, or exercise that profession.”[635] But the interest of the Bishops was concerned more with the orthodoxy of the midwife than with her professional skill. Footnote 634: _Exeter, Articles to be enquired of by the Churchwardens._ 1646. Footnote 635: _Canterbury, Articles to be enquired._ 1636.