Suffragettes on file, 1840–1912

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Investigate the sources

Documents in this collection focus on the suffragette movement's tactics and marketing; how the government responded to it and treated prisoners; women's personal stories; support from politicians and the public; the role of the Women’s Social and Political Union; and male suffrage societies.

Discover more original documents in our related themed collection Suffragettes on file, 1912–1918.

1. Source 1: Chartists demand suffrage

   A Chartist poster calling for a public meeting to demand universal suffrage in the 1840s, demonstrating the link between the suffragette movement and earlier protest.

   1. 

      A public meeting of the inhabitants of Walthamstow, Leyton, Wanstead, and Woodford, will be held on Wednesday evening, May 1, at the corner of the forest, adjoining Whip Cross, for the purpose of adopting the National Petition to Parliament, that the People’s Charter, Universal Suffrage, Vote by Ballot, and Annual Parliaments, may speedily become law.

      The chair will be taken at half-past six precisely.

      Watson, printer, 15, City Road, London

   2. Listen

      Chartists demand suffrage

      Audio transcript for "Chartists demand suffrage"

      A public meeting of the inhabitants of Walthamstow, Leyton, Wanstead, and Woodford, will be held on Wednesday evening, May 1, at the corner of the forest, adjoining Whip Cross, for the purpose of adopting the National Petition to Parliament, that the People’s Charter, Universal Suffrage, Vote by Ballot, and Annual Parliaments, may speedily become law.

      The chair will be taken at half-past six precisely.

      Watson, printer, 15, City Road, London

2. Source 2: Suffragist petition

   National Society for Women’s Suffrage address to Queen Victoria on her Diamond Jubilee, 1897. It bears the signature of suffragist Millicent Fawcett.

   1. 

      To the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty

      Madam

      May it please Your Majesty to accept the loyal congratulations which we dutifully offer in the name of all our Committees on the joyful event of the attainment of the Longest Reign in British History.

      An event specially memorable for the Women of Your Majesty’s dominions in that throughout that long period of peaceful and prosperous development Your Majesty has caused your subjects not only to honour their Sovereign but to reverence in her the Mother of her People.

      It is thus an event which calls forth in peculiar degree the congratulations of women who have sought and in considerable measure attained to a fuller recognition of their responsibilities in the service of the Community encouraged by the exalted example of Your Majesty in harmonizing the claims of the public weal with the claims of home affections.

      That the Blessing of the Most High may surround Your Majesty on every side is the prayer of Your Majesty’s loyal & obedient servants.

      Millicent Garrett Fawcett on behalf of the Combined Committees of the National Society for Women’s Suffrage.

   2. Listen

      Suffragist petition

      Audio transcript for "Suffragist petition"

      To the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty

      Madam

      May it please Your Majesty to accept the loyal congratulations which we dutifully offer in the name of all our Committees on the joyful event of the attainment of the Longest Reign in British History.

      An event specially memorable for the Women of Your Majesty’s dominions in that throughout that long period of peaceful and prosperous development Your Majesty has caused your subjects not only to honour their Sovereign but to reverence in her the Mother of her People.

      It is thus an event which calls forth in peculiar degree the congratulations of women who have sought and in considerable measure attained to a fuller recognition of their responsibilities in the service of the Community encouraged by the exalted example of Your Majesty in harmonizing the claims of the public weal with the claims of home affections.

      That the Blessing of the Most High may surround Your Majesty on every side is the prayer of Your Majesty’s loyal & obedient servants.

      Millicent Garrett Fawcett on behalf of the Combined Committees of the National Society for Women’s Suffrage.

3. Source 3: Suffragettes at Number 10

   Police report on Annie Kenney and others leading a demonstration, 9 March 1906.

   1. 

   2. Listen

      Suffragettes at Number 10

      Audio transcript for "Suffragettes at Number 10"

      Copy from Refuse Charge Book at Cannon Road Station. Number 2.

      Date and hour brought to station: 9th of March 1906, 11.10am.

      Name and number of constable: S.D. Inspector Laughlin.

      Names and address of complainant: S.D. Inspector Laughlin.

      Name and address of person accused: Irene Fenwick Miller, 15 Newport House, Great Newport Street, W.C. Spinster. P.C.103A. Annie Kenny, 45 Park Walk, Chelsea. Spinster. P.C.81AR. Mrs Flora Drummond, 45 Park Walk, Chelsea, Married. P.C.78AR.

      Nature of charge or complaint: All. Disorderly conduct at Downing Street, further being guilty of conduct likely to provoke a breach of the peace. Further, wilfully knocking at the door of Number 10 without lawful excuse.

      Signature of Officer on duty: C. Emerick, Inspector.

      Reason why the charge was refused or the accused liberated at the Police Station: At the request of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Prime Minister, per Mr Ponsonby, Private Secretary, the charge was not proceeded with, and they were allowed to go at 11.35 a.m.

4. Source 4: Suffragette procession

   A procession in honour of the release of Mrs Pethick Lawrence from Holloway Prison, April 1909.

   1. 

      THE SUFFRAGETTES JOAN OF ARC: MISS ELSIE HOWEY RIDING IN LAST SATURDAY’S PROCESSION

      The procession was in honour of Mrs Pethick Lawrence, released from Holloway Jail on the Friday. It passed through the West End on Saturday afternoon from Hyde Park to the Aldwych Theatre, where a meeting was held.

   2. Listen

      Suffragette procession

      Audio transcript for "Suffragette procession"

      Suffragette Procession. Extract from The Illustrated London News. A procession in honour of the release of Mrs Pethick Lawrence from Holloway Prison, 24 April 1909. Catalogue reference: ZPER 34/134.

      This is an example of a spectacular suffragette procession aimed to draw attention to the campaign for votes for women. Suffragette Elsie Howey leading the march on horseback, dressed as Joan of Arc, makes a clear political point.

      THE SUFFRAGETTES JOAN OF ARC: MISS ELSIE HOWEY RIDING IN LAST SATURDAY’S PROCESSION

      The procession was in honour of Mrs Pethick Lawrence, released from Holloway Jail on the Friday. It passed through the West End on Saturday afternoon from Hyde Park to the Aldwych Theatre, where a meeting was held.

5. Source 5: Divisions in prison

   Images on display from the Women’s Exhibition, held at Princes Skating Rink, Knightsbridge, London, 13–26 May 1909.

   1. 

      [Left photograph]

      HOW THE STATE DEALS WITH THE SUFFRAGETTE: A PRISON CELL IN THE SECOND DIVISION – SHOWN AT THE WOMEN’S EXHIBITION

      [Right photograph]

      HOW THE STATE DEALS WITH THE POLITICAL OFFENDER: A PRISON CELL IN THE FIRST DIVISION – SHOWN AT THE WOMEN’S EXHIBITION

   2. Listen

      Divisions in prison

      Audio transcript for "Divisions in prison"

      [Left photograph]

      HOW THE STATE DEALS WITH THE SUFFRAGETTE: A PRISON CELL IN THE SECOND DIVISION – SHOWN AT THE WOMEN’S EXHIBITION

      [Right photograph]

      HOW THE STATE DEALS WITH THE POLITICAL OFFENDER: A PRISON CELL IN THE FIRST DIVISION – SHOWN AT THE WOMEN’S EXHIBITION

6. Source 6: Hiding in Parliament

   Report to the police from the secretary at the Office of Works about the actions of Emily Wilding Davison, 6 April 1910.

   1. 

      The Secretary
      H.M. Office of Works, &c

      New Scotland Yard, S.W.

      6th April, 1910

      Sir,

      I am directed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to acquaint you, for the information of the First Commissioner of His Majesty’s Works, &c., that at 6.30.pm. on the 3rd instant the Police Constable patrolling the Vestibule adjoining the Strangers’ Dining Room, Smoking Room Corridor, House of Commons, on opening the small glass panel of a new-pull ventilating shaft, found a Woman concealed therein standing on a ladder inside immediately above a temporary staging fitted up for workmen.

      In reply to questions she gave her name as Emily Davison, of 4, Clements Inn, Strand, and stated that she was a suffragette and that it was her intention to gain access to the House in order to ask a question.

      She stated that she entered the House by the Victoria Tower about 3 p.m. on Saturday, while it was open to visitors, and gained access to the shaft after passing through the South East door of the lower Waiting Hall; the Police on duty in the Lower Waiting Hall and his party, passed through the door in question between the hours of 2 and 4 pm on Saturday. The ventilating shaft door is opened and examined hourly by the Police Constable on duty, but the woman remained no doubt on the small platform at the top of the ladder, about 20 feet above the doorway, and out of sight of the Police who do not enter the shaft. When detected she had apparently just visited the fountain in the Vestibule to obtain water and had been unable to regain her former position before the Constable opened the door.

      I am,
      Sir,
      Your obedient Servant,

      G. Bathurst,

      Chief Clark.

   2. Listen

      Hiding in Parliament

      Audio transcript for "Hiding in Parliament"

      The Secretary
      H.M. Office of Works, &c

      New Scotland Yard, S.W.

      6th April, 1910

      Sir,

      I am directed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to acquaint you, for the information of the First Commissioner of His Majesty’s Works, &c., that at 6.30.pm. on the 3rd instant the Police Constable patrolling the Vestibule adjoining the Strangers’ Dining Room, Smoking Room Corridor, House of Commons, on opening the small glass panel of a new-pull ventilating shaft, found a Woman concealed therein standing on a ladder inside immediately above a temporary staging fitted up for workmen.

      In reply to questions she gave her name as Emily Davison, of 4, Clements Inn, Strand, and stated that she was a suffragette and that it was her intention to gain access to the House in order to ask a question.

      She stated that she entered the House by the Victoria Tower about 3 p.m. on Saturday, while it was open to visitors, and gained access to the shaft after passing through the South East door of the lower Waiting Hall; the Police on duty in the Lower Waiting Hall and his party, passed through the door in question between the hours of 2 and 4 pm on Saturday. The ventilating shaft door is opened and examined hourly by the Police Constable on duty, but the woman remained no doubt on the small platform at the top of the ladder, about 20 feet above the doorway, and out of sight of the Police who do not enter the shaft. When detected she had apparently just visited the fountain in the Vestibule to obtain water and had been unable to regain her former position before the Constable opened the door.

      I am,
      Sir,
      Your obedient Servant,

      G. Bathurst,

      Chief Clark.

7. Source 7: Suffrage campaign sticker

   In the early hours of 22 April 1910, Vera Wentworth stuck eight notices on the walls of the Palace of Westminster advertising the suffrage newspaper ‘Votes for Women’.

   1. 

      To know more about the Women’s Suffrage Movement read “Votes for Women” Every Friday, 1d.

   2. Listen

      Suffrage campaign sticker

      Audio transcript for "Suffrage campaign sticker"

      Suffrage campaign sticker.

      In the early hours of 22nd of April 1910, Vera Wentworth stuck eight notices on the walls of the Palace of Westminster advertising the suffrage newspaper ‘Votes for Women’. Catalogue reference: WORK 11/117.

      The sticker reads: To know more about the Women’s Suffrage Movement read “Votes for Women” Every Friday, 1 penny.

8. Source 8: Black Friday statement 1

   Extract from a police file documenting suffragettes’ complaints about police brutality on 18 November 1910. A large suffragette deputation went to the House of Commons in protest at the failure of the Conciliation Bill. Many suffragettes and their supporters were assaulted by the police and this resulted in a massive suffragette window-smashing campaign in protest

   1. 

      Miss C. Richardson’s Complaint.

      At Downing Street, while outside the second police cordon in Whitehall, I was standing looking on at the police battering the women about, when a policeman ordered me away ……… I was again in a clearing alone …….. Inside the cordon there were throngs of men and boys. I said “Why do you pick me out? Why not send those men and boys away? He replied “Those boys are all right, it is you I am after”. He made a leap, clutched me by the throat and the next instant the back of my head crashed on the pavement. I heard a woman’s voice scream “Dont [sic] kill her”, and I was afterwards told by a woman who came to my aid that a man exclaimed “There is the first death”. She told me that the policeman had flung me right in front of a motor car and that the left wheel touched my dress. The number of the policeman was 503.E. ….. I saw three other women flung to the pavement, one with a heavy policeman on top of her. I saw a policeman grab women by the collars, shake them and fling them aside like rats. I saw them take women up and fling them on the crowd as many logs on a wood pile …… The marks of the four fingers of the first mentioned policeman did not leave my arm for two weeks.

   2. Listen

      Black Friday statement 1

      Audio transcript for "Black Friday statement 1"

      Miss C. Richardson’s Complaint.

      At Downing Street, while outside the second police cordon in Whitehall, I was standing looking on at the police battering the women about, when a policeman ordered me away ……… I was again in a clearing alone …….. Inside the cordon there were throngs of men and boys. I said “Why do you pick me out? Why not send those men and boys away? He replied “Those boys are all right, it is you I am after”. He made a leap, clutched me by the throat and the next instant the back of my head crashed on the pavement. I heard a woman’s voice scream “Dont [sic] kill her”, and I was afterwards told by a woman who came to my aid that a man exclaimed “There is the first death”. She told me that the policeman had flung me right in front of a motor car and that the left wheel touched my dress. The number of the policeman was 503.E. ….. I saw three other women flung to the pavement, one with a heavy policeman on top of her. I saw a policeman grab women by the collars, shake them and fling them aside like rats. I saw them take women up and fling them on the crowd as many logs on a wood pile …… The marks of the four fingers of the first mentioned policeman did not leave my arm for two weeks.

9. Source 9: Black Friday statement 2

   Extract from a police file documenting suffragettes’ complaints about police brutality on 18 November 1910. A large suffragette deputation went to the House of Commons in protest at the failure of the Conciliation Bill. Many suffragettes and their supporters were assaulted by the police and this resulted in a massive suffragette window-smashing campaign in protest.

   1. 

      Miss May Billinghurst

      I am lame and cannot walk or get about at all without the aid of a hand tricycle, and was therefore obliged to go to the deputation riding on the machine. At first, the police threw me out of the machine on to the ground in a very brutal manner. Secondly, when on the machine again, they tried to push me along with my arms twisted behind me in a very painful position, with one of my fingers bent right back, which caused me great agony. Thirdly, they took me down a side road and left me in the middle of a hooligan crowd, first taking all the valves out of the wheels and pocketing them, so that I could not move the machine, and left me to the crowd of roughs, who, luckily, proved my friends. Another time, the police, in addition to personal violence, finding that they could not remove the new valves, twisted my wheel so that it was again impossible to move the machine. In this plight they left me again, first telling a man in the crowd to slit my tyre down with a policeman’s knife. This the man refused to do, and the policeman was prevented doing me further injury by a gentleman taking his number. I may also add that my arms and back were so badly bruised and strained by the rough treatment of the police that for two days after Friday 18th I could not leave my bed.

   2. Listen

      Black Friday statement 2

      Audio transcript for "Black Friday statement 2"

      (40)

      Miss May Billinghurst

      I am lame and cannot walk or get about at all without the aid of a hand tricycle, and was therefore obliged to go to the deputation riding on the machine. At first, the police threw me out of the machine on to the ground in a very brutal manner. Secondly, when on the machine again, they tried to push me along with my arms twisted behind me in a very painful position, with one of my fingers bent right back, which caused me great agony. Thirdly, they took me down a side road and left me in the middle of a hooligan crowd, first taking all the valves out of the wheels and pocketing them, so that I could not move the machine, and left me to the crowd of roughs, who, luckily, proved my friends. Another time, the police, in addition to personal violence, finding that they could not remove the new valves, twisted my wheel so that it was again impossible to move the machine. In this plight they left me again, first telling a man in the crowd to slit my tyre down with a policeman’s knife. This the man refused to do, and the policeman was prevented doing me further injury by a gentleman taking his number. I may also add that my arms and back were so badly bruised and strained by the rough treatment of the police that for two days after Friday 18th I could not leave my bed

10. Source 10: Emmeline Pethick Lawrence

    Letter from Emmeline Pethick Lawrence calling ‘colleagues’ to join a deputation to Parliament, 13 November 1913.

    1. 

       VOTES FOR WOMEN.
       THE WOMEN’S SOCIAL AND POLITICAL UNION.

       Office, 4, Clement’s Inn, Strand, W.C. 13th November, 1911.

       My dear Colleague,

       I rejoice that you are coming with me on this deputation next Tuesday. I believe we can bring our numbers up to one thousand. Garibaldi with his thousand made a nation free. With a thousand women fighters we can free the woman-half of our nation. If one thousand women stuck all together the Government could not punish any of them and this would be a confession of defeat.

       At the time of writing, we have four hundred. Seven days remain to bring the number up to one thousand. I am certain it can be done, if we all resolve to make it our supreme task to raise volunteers. Will you appeal to your friends and place the matter before them in all the earnestness which you can command? Show them that the time has come when for once family relationships, personal interests and even ordinary duties must be laid aside in obedience to a supreme call of public honour and of public duty. Tell them they must stake everything with us on this great issue, for I am sure if we combine in numbers and strike hard now, we shall make the threatened humiliation of womanhood utterly and totally impossible. I am going to devote my whole energies to this result and I ask you and every one of our deputation to do the same.

       Yours sincerely,

       /sd/. Emmeline Pethick Lawrence.

    2. Listen

       Emmeline Pethick Lawrence

       Audio transcript for "Emmeline Pethick Lawrence"

       Emmeline Pethick Lawrence.

       Letter from Emmeline Pethick Lawrence calling ‘colleagues’ to join a deputation to Parliament, 13 November 1913. Catalogue reference: HO 144/1119/203651.

       Transcript:

       Copy of typewritten letter

       VOTES FOR WOMEN.
       THE WOMEN’S SOCIAL AND POLITICAL UNION.

       Office, 4, Clement’s Inn, Strand, W.C. 13th November, 1911.

       My dear Colleague,

       I rejoice that you are coming with me on this deputation next Tuesday. I believe we can bring our numbers up to one thousand. Garibaldi with his thousand made a nation free. With a thousand women fighters we can free the woman-half of our nation. If one thousand women stuck all together the Government could not punish any of them and this would be a confession of defeat.

       At the time of writing, we have four hundred. Seven days remain to bring the number up to one thousand. I am certain it can be done, if we all resolve to make it our supreme task to raise volunteers. Will you appeal to your friends and place the matter before them in all the earnestness which you can command? Show them that the time has come when for once family relationships, personal interests and even ordinary duties must be laid aside in obedience to a supreme call of public honour and of public duty. Tell them they must stake everything with us on this great issue, for I am sure if we combine in numbers and strike hard now, we shall make the threatened humiliation of womanhood utterly and totally impossible. I am going to devote my whole energies to this result and I ask you and every one of our deputation to do the same.

       Yours sincerely,

       Signed, Emmeline Pethick Lawrence.

11. Source 11: Lady Constance Lytton

    Letter from Lady Constance Lytton to the Home Secretary on the treatment of prisoners, 8 December 1911.

    1. 

       Lady Constance Lytton,
       15 Somerset Terrace,
       Duke’s Road, W.C.

       Friday Dec 8th 1911

       Sir,

       In a petition which I was recently allowed to send you from Holloway Prison, I called your attention to a matter of injustice connected with the sentences passed on suffrage prisoners at Bow Street Police Court on Nov 24th.

       As I have received no acknowledgment of this communication I conclude that, because of my premature release from prison, the petition was not shown to you.

       The particular point on which I wish to appeal to you is this. In the case of Mrs Leigh, the wife of a working man, everyone of her previous convictions was quoted against her, the most was made of her past record, Mr. Muskelt for the prosecution commenting on her case in terms of sweeping condemnation, & she was sentenced to two months imprisonment without the option of a fine. In my case, my previous offences where skimmed over, one conviction was omitted altogether from mention, & I was given a sentence of 14 days with the option of a fine.

       I know Mrs. Leigh personally. I have the very greatest admiration for her heroic altruism + for the fortitude with which she has endured great & prolonged suffering on behalf of others. The motives of her law-breaking are identical with my own. She has served our militant movement for a longer period than I have, consequently the number of convictions is greater in her case than mine, but there is no act which she has committed on behalf of the women’s cause that I have not also committed. On the occasion of our recent charges (Nov 24th), my actions were more violent than hers & I was responsible for wilful damage to property of which she was innocent.

       It has unfortunately been characteristic of the treatment of Suffrage prisoners that, both in Police Courts & Prisons, those of us who have influential friends have been treated with comparative leniency, whereas working-class women + women who can count on no supporters in political circles have had the harshest treatment.

       I am willing to believe that you, sir, are not personally responsible for the recent instances of partiality under your jurisdiction. But these essentially undemocratic specialisations inevitably reflect discredit on the Government of which you are a member, & unless you take steps to counteract them, your consent must be assumed.

       I appeal to you, in no controversial or carping spirit, but as one Liberal to another, to remedy the injustice of this particular case by reducing the term of Mrs. Leigh’s sentence.

       I should be grateful if you would quickly let me have an answer by Monday. Unless you have any objection, I propose to make public this letter and your reply.

       I am, sir,

       Yours faithfully,

       Constance Lytton

       To

       The Rt. Honr. Reginald McKenna
       The Home Office

    2. Listen

       Lady Constance Lytton

       Audio transcript for "Lady Constance Lytton"

       Lady Constance Lytton,
       15 Somerset Terrace,
       Duke’s Road, W.C.

       Friday Dec 8th 1911

       Sir,

       In a petition which I was recently allowed to send you from Holloway Prison, I called your attention to a matter of injustice connected with the sentences passed on suffrage prisoners at Bow Street Police Court on Nov 24th.

       As I have received no acknowledgment of this communication I conclude that, because of my premature release from prison, the petition was not shown to you.

       The particular point on which I wish to appeal to you is this. In the case of Mrs Leigh, the wife of a working man, everyone of her previous convictions was quoted against her, the most was made of her past record, Mr. Muskelt for the prosecution commenting on her case in terms of sweeping condemnation, & she was sentenced to two months imprisonment without the option of a fine. In my case, my previous offences where skimmed over, one conviction was omitted altogether from mention, & I was given a sentence of 14 days with the option of a fine.

       I know Mrs. Leigh personally. I have the very greatest admiration for her heroic altruism + for the fortitude with which she has endured great & prolonged suffering on behalf of others. The motives of her law-breaking are identical with my own. She has served our militant movement for a longer period than I have, consequently the number of convictions is greater in her case than mine, but there is no act which she has committed on behalf of the women’s cause that I have not also committed. On the occasion of our recent charges (Nov 24th), my actions were more violent than hers & I was responsible for wilful damage to property of which she was innocent.

       It has unfortunately been characteristic of the treatment of Suffrage prisoners that, both in Police Courts & Prisons, those of us who have influential friends have been treated with comparative leniency, whereas working-class women + women who can count on no supporters in political circles have had the harshest treatment.

       I am willing to believe that you, sir, are not personally responsible for the recent instances of partiality under your jurisdiction. But these essentially undemocratic specialisations inevitably reflect discredit on the Government of which you are a member, & unless you take steps to counteract them, your consent must be assumed.

       I appeal to you, in no controversial or carping spirit, but as one Liberal to another, to remedy the injustice of this particular case by reducing the term of Mrs. Leigh’s sentence.

       I should be grateful if you would quickly let me have an answer by Monday. Unless you have any objection, I propose to make public this letter and your reply.

       I am, sir,

       Yours faithfully,

       Constance Lytton

       To

       The Rt. Honr. Reginald McKenna
       The Home Office

12. Source 12: Census boycott

    Example of a non-militant protest in the census for South Kensington, London, 1911.

    1. 

       Large sticker, left: ‘No votes for women No Census’

       Small stickers, bottom: ‘Census meeting – April 1st. – Trafalgar Square, 3 p.m.’

       Written protest: No persons here only women!

       Census official’s notes:

       xx Domestic servant, do.

       All particulars refused.

       I was given to understand that Miss Jite[?] + 2 servants slept in.

    2. Listen

       Census boycott

       Audio transcript for "Census boycott"

       Large sticker, left: ‘No votes for women No Census’

       Small stickers, bottom: ‘Census meeting – April 1st. – Trafalgar Square, 3 p.m.’

       Written protest: No persons here only women!

       Census official’s notes:

       xx Domestic servant, do.

       All particulars refused.

       I was given to understand that Miss Jite[?] + 2 servants slept in.

13. Source 13: ‘Bitter sorrow’

    Letter from Lady Constance Lytton to Mrs Pankhurst about a school teacher unable to join a demonstration, 19 February 1912.

    1. 

       Lady Constance Lytton
       15 Somerset Terrace,
       Duke’s Road, W.C.,
       Feb 19th 1912

       Dear Mrs Pankhurst,

       Miss Avery would consider it the very highest privilege in going to follow you on March 4th. She will not be able. She is a School Teacher, her imprisonment would mean the sacrifice of her economic independence and would throw her on to her family for support.

       This fact causes her such bitter sorrow that she could not bring herself to put the refusal into words. I therefore undertook to write to you for her.

       She serves our cause in every other way possible to her.

       Your devoted follower,

       Constance Lytton.

       In reply to your appeal to join the deputation sent to Miss Avery, The School House, Knebworth.

    2. Listen

       ‘Bitter sorrow’

       Audio transcript for "‘Bitter sorrow’"

       ‘Bitter sorrow’.

       Letter from Lady Constance Lytton to Mrs Pankhurst about a school teacher unable to join a demonstration, 19 February 1912. Catalogue reference: DPP 1/23

       Ex. 147

       Lady Constance Lytton
       15 Somerset Terrace,
       Duke’s Road, W.C.,
       Feb 19th 1912

       Dear Mrs Pankhurst,

       Miss Avery would consider it the very highest privilege in going to follow you on March 4th. She will not be able. She is a School Teacher, her imprisonment would mean the sacrifice of her economic independence and would throw her on to her family for support.

       This fact causes her such bitter sorrow that she could not bring herself to put the refusal into words. I therefore undertook to write to you for her.

       She serves our cause in every other way possible to her.

       Your devoted follower,

       Constance Lytton.

       In reply to your appeal to join the deputation sent to Miss Avery, The School House, Knebworth.

14. Source 14: Instructions for arrest

    Instructions to suffragettes on what to do when arrested. These were sent to Lillian Ball, 28 February 1912.

    1. 

       Sent to L Ball
       Among o[ther]s

       Ex. 92.
       VOTES FOR WOMEN
       THE WOMEN’S SOCIAL AND POLITICAL UNION,
       4, Clements Inn, Strand, W.C.
       February 28th 1912.

       INSTRUCTIONS TO VOLUNTEERS

       When arrested and taken to Cannon Row or other Police Station, you will, after an interval, be bailed out and then return to your home or hostess.

       In the morning you should surrender at the time mentioned on your charge sheet, at the Police Court, bringing with you a bag packed with everything you are likely to need during your imprisonment.

       (Sd.) E. Pankhurst.

    2. Listen

       Instructions for arrest

       Audio transcript for "Instructions for arrest"

       Sent to L Ball
       Among o[ther]s

       Ex. 92.
       VOTES FOR WOMEN
       THE WOMEN’S SOCIAL AND POLITICAL UNION,
       4, Clements Inn, Strand, W.C.
       February 28th 1912.

       INSTRUCTIONS TO VOLUNTEERS

       When arrested and taken to Cannon Row or other Police Station, you will, after an interval, be bailed out and then return to your home or hostess.

       In the morning you should surrender at the time mentioned on your charge sheet, at the Police Court, bringing with you a bag packed with everything you are likely to need during your imprisonment.

       (Sd.) E. Pankhurst.

15. Source 15: ‘Soldier to the death’

    Letter of support from a nurse called Ellen Pitfield for a suffrage demonstration in March 1912.

    1. 

       Ex. 153

       (Written in pencil)

       No.
       Skovehuse,
       Flackwell Heath,
       Londwater,
       Bucks.

       Dearest Mrs Pankhurst,

       I am with you heart and soul in the great demonstration on March the 4th 1912.

       A Soldier to the death.

       Nurse Ellen Pitfield.

    2. Listen

       Soldier to the death

       Audio transcript for "Soldier to the death"

       Ex. 153

       (Written in pencil)

       Number
       Skovehuse,
       Flackwell Heath,
       Londwater,
       Bucks.

       Dearest Mrs Pankhurst,

       I am with you heart and soul in the great demonstration on March the 4th 1912.

       A Soldier to the death.

       Nurse Ellen Pitfield.

16. Source 16: Window smashing campaign

    Extracts from a statement by suffragette Lillian Ball, taken as evidence for Emmeline Pankhurst’s trial for conspiracy, March 1912.

    1. 

       On Monday 4th March I went to the Gardenia as near as 6 o’clock as possible – I took my ticket, I went to the long room upstairs. I showed my card to several, standing on the stairs. A lady from Balham, a member of the Union, was with me.

       In the room into which I went there were a good many people all women, sitting in various groups. There were no refreshments there I had no refreshments in the Gardenia.

       Opening out of the room I first went into there is another room – or a place partitioned off.

       After a time somebody came out of that room, or from that particular place – it was a woman. I forget whether we were supposed to wear badges. The woman came to me and said “Are you prepared for a long or short sentence?” I said a short one, as I had made arrangements for absence from home for 7 days.

       She told me just where to go and find a small window, viz. the United Service Museum. I did not bring any implement with me. The young lady asked me if I had brought my own implements, or whatever it might be. I said No. She gave me a hammer: there were words on it “Better broken windows than broken promises”. There was only one paper on my hammer. The hammer produced Ex. 94 is like the one I had, only it had not the words on which now appear on it.

       The young lady advised me to put the hammer up my sleeve.

       She told me I shouldn’t have more than 7 days if I only broke one small pane. She also told me to do it before 9 o’clock I could not tell what her personal appearance was – she seemed to use great authority, and she was very abrupt, – spoke as if I was not a member of the Union at all.

       Two others and I left about 7 o’clock. I had been working during the day: I went straight to the Gardenia; and I left there with 2 others about 7 o’clock.

       Then we walked about a considerable time, and went to Lyon’s and had some food, and then went to the United Service Museum and did our damage. One of the ladies I knew before: the other I did not know before.

       I broke one window with the hammer.

       A man held me first, and then the police took me, I believe to Cannon Row.

       I broke the window about 20 to 9. I was arrested at once. An ambulance came, as I fainted I believe. […]

       CROSS-EXAMINED BY MRS. PANKHURST

       Certainly I went willingly to these meetings.

       Certainly I appear here willingly.

       Had I known that I should have to appear against you when I answered these questions I should never have given the evidence I have given.

       Two gentlemen interviewed me in Holloway last Saturday and told me my brother had already given up my stones and what letters he could find. Then they asked the various questions, which of course I answered. They did not tell me for what purpose they were asking the questions until they had written it down: then one of them said “We may want you as a witness”

       I thought these 2 gentlemen were either detectives or solicitors.

       I have a little boy.

       No inducement was held out, but one of the gentlemen said wouldn’t I like to see my little boy again.

       I did hope it would shorten my sentence: but had I known this I would never had said a word. […]

       CROSS-EXAMINED  for MRS. TUKE

       I have a husband. I have 3 children, aged 24, 21 and 4 – the boy is 4 – He is not strong. I should say he wants a mother’s care.

       My earliest date of leaving Holloway will be 25th April by doing my sentence and behaving myself.

       I have had a sentence from a letter read to me by the Governor, saying my boy is well.

       It is only natural my anxiety to get back to him should be my strongest feeling: but had I known this was going to have happened I would rather have served 6 months.

       The feeling that I want to get back to my boy is stronger than any other feeling I have. […]

    2. Listen

       Window smashing campaign

       Audio transcript for "Window smashing campaign"

       Window smashing campaign.

       Extracts from a statement by suffragette Lillian Ball, taken as evidence for Emmeline Pankhurst’s trial for conspiracy, March 1912.

       Catalogue reference: HO144/1194/220196

       On Monday the 4th of March I went to the Gardenia as near as 6 o’clock as possible – I took my ticket, I went to the long room upstairs. I showed my card to several, standing on the stairs. A lady from Balham, a member of the Union, was with me.

       In the room into which I went there were a good many people all women, sitting in various groups. There were no refreshments there I had no refreshments in the Gardenia.

       Opening out of the room I first went into there is another room – or a place partitioned off.

       After a time somebody came out of that room, or from that particular place – it was a woman. I forget whether we were supposed to wear badges. The woman came to me and said “Are you prepared for a long or short sentence?” I said a short one, as I had made arrangements for absence from home for 7 days.

       She told me just where to go and find a small window, viz. the United Service Museum. I did not bring any implement with me. The young lady asked me if I had brought my own implements, or whatever it might be. I said No. She gave me a hammer: there were words on it “Better broken windows than broken promises”. There was only one paper on my hammer. The hammer produced Ex. 94 is like the one I had, only it had not the words on which now appear on it.

       The young lady advised me to put the hammer up my sleeve.

       She told me I shouldn’t have more than 7 days if I only broke one small pane. She also told me to do it before 9 o’clock I could not tell what her personal appearance was – she seemed to use great authority, and she was very abrupt, – spoke as if I was not a member of the Union at all.

       Two others and I left about 7 o’clock. I had been working during the day: I went straight to the Gardenia; and I left there with 2 others about 7 o’clock.

       Then we walked about a considerable time, and went to Lyon’s and had some food, and then went to the United Service Museum and did our damage. One of the ladies I knew before: the other I did not know before.

       I broke one window with the hammer.

       A man held me first, and then the police took me, I believe to Cannon Row.

       I broke the window about 20 to 9. I was arrested at once. An ambulance came, as I fainted I believe. […]

       CROSS-EXAMINED BY MRS. PANKHURST

       Certainly I went willingly to these meetings.

       Certainly I appear here willingly.

       Had I known that I should have to appear against you when I answered these questions I should never have given the evidence I have given.

       Two gentlemen interviewed me in Holloway last Saturday and told me my brother had already given up my stones and what letters he could find. Then they asked the various questions, which of course I answered. They did not tell me for what purpose they were asking the questions until they had written it down: then one of them said “We may want you as a witness”

       I thought these 2 gentlemen were either detectives or solicitors.

       I have a little boy.

       No inducement was held out, but one of the gentlemen said wouldn’t I like to see my little boy again.

       I did hope it would shorten my sentence: but had I known this I would never had said a word. […]

       CROSS-EXAMINED  for MRS. TUKE

       I have a husband. I have 3 children, aged 24, 21 and 4 – the boy is 4 – He is not strong. I should say he wants a mother’s care.

       My earliest date of leaving Holloway will be 25th April by doing my sentence and behaving myself.

       I have had a sentence from a letter read to me by the Governor, saying my boy is well.

       It is only natural my anxiety to get back to him should be my strongest feeling: but had I known this was going to have happened I would rather have served 6 months.

       The feeling that I want to get back to my boy is stronger than any other feeling I have. […]

17. Source 17: Forcible feeding

    Letter from M L Steward against the dangers of forcible feeding, 7 April 1912.

    1. 

       Graham House
       Ipswich
       April 16. 1912

       To the Right Honble [sic] Reginald McKenna, M.P.

       Sir,

       May I ask that you will give expression to the strong feeling that exists all over the country against the forcible feeding of women in prison & order its immediate cessation.

       The need for it arises because of the denial of the few privileges granted by your predecessors & which are accorded in every civilized country in the world to political prisoners whatever they have done.

       Unless these women are treated as political prisoners their terrible mea[l?] protest must go on, & lives will be lost to the everlasting disgrace of the Government of England. It is torture that is being inflicted & I call upon [you] in the name of humanity & common justice to set the matter right immediately.

       Yours faithfully

       M. L. Steward

    2. Listen

       Forcible feeding

       Audio transcript for "Forcible feeding"

       Graham House
       Ipswich
       April 16. 1912

       To the Right Honble [sic] Reginald McKenna, M.P.

       Sir,

       May I ask that you will give expression to the strong feeling that exists all over the country against the forcible feeding of women in prison & order its immediate cessation.

       The need for it arises because of the denial of the few privileges granted by your predecessors & which are accorded in every civilized country in the world to political prisoners whatever they have done.

       Unless these women are treated as political prisoners their terrible mea[l?] protest must go on, & lives will be lost to the everlasting disgrace of the Government of England. It is torture that is being inflicted & I call upon [you] in the name of humanity & common justice to set the matter right immediately.

       Yours faithfully

       M. L. Steward

18. Source 18: ‘Political prisoner’ status

    Extract from a petition from suffrage supporters to the Secretary of State for the Home Office, Reginald McKenna, asking him to give suffrage prisoners the status of political prisoners and put an end to the practice of forcible feeding, 25 April 1912.

    1. 

       Please sign with a fine pen as the paper blots easily

       A PETITION

       To the RIGHT HONOURABLE REGINALD McKENNA
       Secretary of State for the Home Department.

       We, the undersigned, earnestly plead, that you will accord to the women suffragists, sentenced in connection with the political demonstration of last March, the status of political prisoners. Owing to the fact that they are being treated as ordinary common criminals in Aylesbury Prison, they have adopted the hunger-strike: and we view with horror the attempt to coerce them into submission by a recourse to the cruel and dangerous practice of forcible feeding.

       We urge you to put an end to this treatment, and to accord to political prisoners the conditions which they obtain in all other civilised countries of the World.

       NAME.                                                ADDRESS.

       A. Wallace
       Janet Lees
       Louisa Potter
       J. McIntosh
       Alina Aldred
       L. A. Taernan
       D McIntosh
       Alice Waters
       S. M. Making
       M. A. Stone
       M. L. Stone
       D. A. Stone
       Kate Waters

       [etc for many pages]

    2. Listen

       ‘Political prisoner’ status

       Audio transcript for "‘Political prisoner’ status"

       Please sign with a fine pen as the paper blots easily

       A PETITION

       To the RIGHT HONOURABLE REGINALD McKENNA
       Secretary of State for the Home Department.

       We, the undersigned, earnestly plead, that you will accord to the women suffragists, sentenced in connection with the political demonstration of last March, the status of political prisoners. Owing to the fact that they are being treated as ordinary common criminals in Aylesbury Prison, they have adopted the hunger-strike: and we view with horror the attempt to coerce them into submission by a recourse to the cruel and dangerous practice of forcible feeding.

       We urge you to put an end to this treatment, and to accord to political prisoners the conditions which they obtain in all other civilised countries of the World.

       NAME.                                                ADDRESS.

       A. Wallace
       Janet Lees
       Louisa Potter
       J. McIntosh
       Alina Aldred
       L. A. Taernan
       D McIntosh
       Alice Waters
       S. M. Making
       M. A. Stone
       M. L. Stone
       D. A. Stone
       Kate Waters

       [etc for many pages]

19. Source 19: The Suffragette Newspaper

    An edition of ‘The Suffragette’ newspaper. Edgar Whitely printed the newspaper and was charged for inciting people to join the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU). This source shows the significance of suffragette campaign material, 14 March 1913.

    1. 

       The Suffragette
       Edited by Christabel Pankhurst

       The Official Organ of the Women’s Social and Political Union

       No 22. – VOL I        Friday, March 14, 1913.        Price 1d. Weekly (Post Free 1 1/2d.)

       [Image of Justice with Votes for women banner and ‘Hunger Strike’ sword]
       Reproduced by special permission of the Proprietors of “Punch.”

       The Majesty of the Law

       The law is powerless to repress the militant women. It can no longer protect property nor preserve order. Justice herself is become a Suffragette, and leaving judges and legislators, her accustomed ministers, in the lurch, she befriends the Militants.

       For the sake of Justice the militant women have surrendered all thought of self, and that is why the material force of the law fails to subdue them. The law may imprison, may torture, may kill, but it cannot make women afraid, and it cannot make them surrender.

    2. Listen

       The Suffragette Newspaper

       Audio transcript for "The Suffragette Newspaper"

       The Suffragette Newspaper.

       An edition of ‘The Suffragette’ newspaper. Edgar Whitely printed the newspaper and was charged for inciting people to join the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU). This source shows the significance of suffragette campaign material, 14 March 1913. Catalogue reference: ASSI 52/212

       The Suffragette
       Edited by Christabel Pankhurst

       The Official Organ of the Women’s Social and Political Union

       Number 22, Volume 1. Friday, March 14, 1913. Price: 1 penny, weekly. (Post free, a penny halfpenny.)

       [Image of Justice with Votes for women banner and ‘Hunger Strike’ sword]
       Reproduced by special permission of the Proprietors of “Punch.”

       The Majesty of the Law

       The law is powerless to repress the militant women. It can no longer protect property nor preserve order. Justice herself is become a Suffragette, and leaving judges and legislators, her accustomed ministers, in the lurch, she befriends the Militants.

       For the sake of Justice the militant women have surrendered all thought of self, and that is why the material force of the law fails to subdue them. The law may imprison, may torture, may kill, but it cannot make women afraid, and it cannot make them surrender.

20. Source 20: Circulation: The Suffragette

    Extract from a statement by John Jarman, publisher of ‘The Suffragette’. This gives details of the number of copies bought and circulated, October 1912.

    1. 

       JOHN ISAAC JARMAN on oath saith as follows:–

       My address is 27 Ellington Road, Ramsgate. At present I am not working. I have been a publisher’s manager.

       In the month of Oct. 1912, I was introduced to Mrs. Pankhurst. I think it was about 20 Oct. I saw Mrs. Pankhurst that afternoon at the Lincoln’s Inn House, Kingsway. No one else was present. She asked me to take over the publishing of the Suffragette and any general business there was.

       […]

       There were printed 30,000 copies of the first 4 numbers: somewhere about 17,000 copies were circulated; by that I mean 17,000 people buying 17,000 copies.

       After the first 4 weeks the circulation gradually dropped off; and the sales came down to about 7,500, plus about 3,000 sent to Members of Parliament and others – this was about a month or 3 weeks before Christmas.

       I had a conversation with Mrs. Pankhurst about that time about the circulation. I mentioned to her that my view was that it was coincident with the pillar box business: I suggested it was due to this.

    2. Listen

       Circulation: The Suffragette

       Audio transcript for "Circulation: The Suffragette"

       JOHN ISAAC JARMAN on oath saith as follows:–

       My address is 27 Ellington Road, Ramsgate. At present I am not working. I have been a publisher’s manager.

       In the month of Oct. 1912, I was introduced to Mrs. Pankhurst. I think it was about 20th October. I saw Mrs. Pankhurst that afternoon at the Lincoln’s Inn House, Kingsway. No one else was present. She asked me to take over the publishing of the Suffragette and any general business there was.

       […]

       There were printed 30,000 copies of the first 4 numbers: somewhere about 17,000 copies were circulated; by that I mean 17,000 people buying 17,000 copies.

       After the first 4 weeks the circulation gradually dropped off; and the sales came down to about 7,500, plus about 3,000 sent to Members of Parliament and others – this was about a month or 3 weeks before Christmas.

       I had a conversation with Mrs. Pankhurst about that time about the circulation. I mentioned to her that my view was that it was coincident with the pillar box business: I suggested it was due to this.

Background information

Christabel Pankhurst

Christabel Pankhurst, 23 years old, was impatient for change: ‘the vote question must be settled. Mine was the third generation of women to claim the vote and the vote must now be obtained. To go on helplessly pleading was undignified. Strong and urgent demand was needed. Success must be hastened.’

On 10 October 1903 the Women’s Social and Political Union, a new organisation demanding Votes for Women, pushed its way noisily onto the women’s suffrage scene. Until then the effort was led by Mrs Millicent Fawcett and her National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies, a movement founded in the 1860s. At Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst’s home in Manchester, the new Union announced its modernity with the three-word slogan: ‘Deeds Not Words.’ Mrs Pankhurst’s eldest daughter Christabel became the strategist for the movement. The campaign was a response to the Great Reform Act of 1832, which had enfranchised only ‘male persons’ with property, excluding, by definition, all women.

Annie Kenney

The WSPU demonstrated their agitprop approach in the first of many militant protests: Christabel, and Annie Kenney, a mill girl from Oldham, chose a meeting held by Liberal politicians Winston Churchill and Sir Edward Grey, in Manchester on 13  October 1905. As result of their noisy interruptions and persistent questions, they were ejected and continued to protest outside and were later sent to Strangeways Prison. Today we might now describe their actions as controversial, but at the time they were found deeply troubling and unfeminine. The slogan ‘Deeds Not Words’ had become a reality, and a precedent for their entire campaign.

Nickname ‘Suffragettes’

This public disobedience earned the WSPU a derogatory nickname, ‘Suffragettes’, coined by a Daily Mail reporter in January 1906. The Suffragettes adopted the term and used it for their militant newspaper, The Suffragette,  launched in the summer of 1912.

Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence

The WSPU moved to London in 1906, and opened a national headquarters at 4 Clement’s Inn. Frederick and Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence funded the office accommodation in the early days. Emmeline’s fundraising and Frederick’s expertise as a barrister initiated a formidable campaign, which has never been seen before or since. By the end 1912, fifty-eight branches existed across the country recruiting women from all backgrounds and occupations. Membership lists were not kept in case of police raids on their premises. Donors listed in their weekly newspaper ‘Votes for Women’ showed that thousands of women supported the campaign financially and actively.

Marketing the suffragette movement

Nowadays we take marketing for granted, but it was first used politically by the WSPU, who created their campaign as a brand. There were well-designed logos, stylish exhibitions, spectacular processions and meetings in London and the major cities. Special colours represented the movement, purple, white and green for freedom, purity, and hope respectively. Supporters wore the colours and they were used on badges, bicycles, chocolate bars, cakes, jewellery and even a motorcar.

Political support for female suffrage

Faced with determined opposition from many politicians, the press and the public (including women), Keir Hardie, M.P. (Independent Labour Party) was a good political friend to the women’s suffrage campaigners. While Liberal politicians consistently voted in support of the Conciliation Bills to grant a measure of women’s suffrage in 1910, 1911 and 1912, their wishes were crushed by the anti-women’s suffrage Prime Minister Herbert Asquith and others who refused to steer a Bill through Parliament. The collapse of the 1912 Conciliation Bill was the trigger which propelled the WSPU into sanctioning extreme militancy which marked the final two years of the campaign until the outbreak of the First World War.

Men’s organizations for female suffrage

The two men’s organizations which worked for votes for women were the Men’s League for Women’s Suffrage, founded in 1907, and the Men’s Political Union for Women’s Enfranchisement of 1910. Many men supported their wives, sisters and girlfriends, although most men did not. Those who did paid a heavy price for being ‘sex traitors’ and suffered violence whilst offering protection at public meetings and lost their reputations or jobs.

Growing militancy

Until the increased militancy of 1912 the moderate suffragists – the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies – and the militant suffragettes worked together.  Members of both wore each-others’ badges and joined the same marches. They all handed out leaflets about enfranchisement of women, canvassed for the private members’ bill and sold newspapers. Yet, these documents reveal that the suffragettes went further: they attempted to enter the House of Commons; heckled meetings; blew up pillar-boxes; smashed windows; burnt down empty buildings and attacked works of art.

Suffragettes denied status as political prisoners

By the summer of 1914 the positions of suffragettes and Liberal government were deeply entrenched: the WSPU was determined to force the government to give women the vote, and the establishment equally stubbornly refused to comply. Over a thousand British suffragettes had acquired a criminal record and many were imprisoned for demanding the vote. These records show that suffragettes were denied the status of political prisoners and treated as ‘common criminals’. In protest many went on hunger-strike and were force fed with terrible consequences for their health. The WSPU awarded women who experienced this torture with ‘For Valour’ medals: ‘in recognition of a gallant action, whereby through endurance to the last extremity of hunger and hardship, a great principle of political justice was vindicated.’

Useful links

bbc.co.uk

BBC News story article on the struggle for the vote

100 Women: Suffragists or suffragettes - who won women the vote?