Images Dated 17th October 2013

Suffragette Lilian Lenton in Court 1913

A newspaper placard dated Wednesday, June 11, 1913, with the headline, 'Miss. Lenton's Reappearance.' Lilian Lenton (1891-1972) was arrested under the name 'May Dennis' in Doncaster on 9th June and remanded. She was charged with setting fire to 'Westfield', a house at Balby, at Leeds Assizes and sent to Armley Jail. She went on hunger strike and after several days was released, although not forcibly fed. Lilian was a notorious 'Mouse' who evaded police capture several times. In an interview in the 1950s, she boasted that her aim was to burn two buildings a week, 'when not in prison.' She was imprisoned along with Olive Wharry in March 1912 for burning down the tea pavillion in Kew Gardens. Date: 1913

© The March of the Women Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library

Suffragette Give Me a Vote Ceramic

A wild-eyed suffragette dressed in the colours of the W.S.P.U - purple, white and green, waves a flag which reads, 'I Want a Vote'. The inscription on the base reads, 'Give me a Vote and See What I'll Do!'. Based on a design by John Hassall who was commisioned by the National League for Opposing Women's Suffrage in 1912 to produce posters and postcards for propaganda purposes. This ceramic figure was made by the enterprising firm of Schafer & Vater in Germany. Height 13cm. Date: circa 1912

© The March of the Women Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library

Suffragette W.S.P.U Regalia Flag

A W.S.P.U flag or pennant in purple, white and green silk. At one end is a square additional section (24cm x 24cm) in cream silk with beautifully embroidered laurel wreath with purple ribbon bow at the bottom. The letters W.S.P.U are embroidered in alternate purple and green thread, each with gold thread surrounding the letters. In the centre are scales of justice. A piece designed for the demonstration of 23rd July 1910 and specifically for the West Procession. Edith Craig and Laurence Housman devised a 'Roman' theme for this element copying the 'SPQR' seen on Roman standards. They envisaged hundreds of clustered standards and fluttering pennons on the marches route. Date: 1910

© The March of the Women Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library