The Art of Midwifery is the first book to examine midwives' lives and work across Europe in the early modern period. Drawing on a vast range of archival material from England, Holland, Germany, France, Italy and Spain, the contributors show the diversity in midwives' practices, competence, socio-economic background and education, as well as their public function and image. The Art of Midwifery is an excellent resource for students of women's history, social history and medical history.