Biddenden Maids Broadside

Biddenden Maids Broadside

Conjoined twins

Broadsheet (format)

Thought to be one of the earliest cases of surviving conjoined twins, the Chulkhurst sisters, known as the Biddenden maids, reputedly lived until 1134, although there is considerable uncertainty about the accuracy or even reality of their story. As early as the 17th century, a charitable bequest supposedly from the sisters guaranteed a distribution of bread, cheese, and beer to the deserving poor of Biddenden every Easter Sunday, and the tradition still continues as a tourist attraction.

Broadside concerning the Chulkhurst sisters, also known as the Biddenden maids, entitled Short, but concise account of Elisabeth, and Mary Chulkhurst, who were born joined together by the hips and shoulders, in the year of our Lord 1100, at Biddenden, in the County of Kent, commonly called the Biddenden maids

Unknown

R. Weston

1808

The Boston Medical Library does not hold copyright on all materials in this collection. For use information, consult Public Services at chm@hms.harvard.edu

Access to the original work depicted requires advance notice. Contact Public Services at chm@hms.harvard.edu for additional information

Boston Medical Library Rare Books Collection (f QM691.S55 1808)

text

1 broadside

English

Purchased for the Boston Medical Library, 2005