When we think of London’s great battles, few were fought with more determination than the struggle for women’s voting rights. In the early 20th century, London became the epicenter of the suffragette movement, with its streets, parks, and public buildings transformed into a battlefield for democracy.
The story of London’s suffragettes really kicks into high gear in 1903, when Emmeline Pankhurst founded the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) at her home in London. While the peaceful suffragists had been campaigning for decades, the WSPU took a more militant approach, adopting the slogan “Deeds, Not Words.” London would soon discover exactly what those deeds entailed.
The capital witnessed some extraordinary scenes. Suffragettes chained themselves to the railings of Buckingham Palace, smashed windows along Bond Street and Oxford Street, and even attempted to enter the House of Commons hidden in a delivery van. The area around Parliament Square became a regular protest site, with women risking arrest and violence to make their voices heard.
One of the movement’s most dramatic London moments came in 1908 with the “Rush on Parliament,” when hundreds of suffragettes attempted to enter the House of Commons. The ensuing battle with police made headlines worldwide. That same year, the WSPU organized a massive demonstration in Hyde Park, with up to half a million people attending – the largest political gathering London had ever seen.
The city’s landmarks became targets for militant action. In 1913, suffragettes planted a bomb that damaged the coronation chair in Westminster Abbey. They attempted to burn down St Paul’s Cathedral and succeeded in burning “Votes for Women” into the grass at Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. Even the paintings in the National Gallery weren’t safe – the famous “Rokeby Venus” was slashed by Mary Richardson in 1914.
Holloway Prison became a second home for many suffragettes, who faced harsh treatment including force-feeding when they went on hunger strike. The prison’s gates became a focal point for supporters, who would gather to sing and show solidarity with those imprisoned inside. Today, you can see a commemorative plaque at the site of the old prison.
The movement created its own London geography. The WSPU headquarters at Lincoln’s Inn House became known as the “Suffragette Shop.” The Pankhurst Centre in Bloomsbury was a hub of activity. The Actresses’ Franchise League performed pro-suffrage plays at London theaters. Even department stores got involved – Selfridges provided a safe haven for women escaping police during demonstrations.
Some fascinating details from the period survive. Suffragettes developed an elaborate system of bodyguards trained in jiu-jitsu to protect speakers at rallies. They used London’s first female chauffeur, Vera Holme, to make quick getaways after militant actions. The movement even had its own colors – purple for loyalty, white for purity, and green for hope – which you’d see displayed in shop windows along Bond Street and Oxford Street.
The First World War changed everything. The suffragettes suspended their militant campaign to support the war effort, with women taking on traditionally male roles across London. Their contribution proved crucial in finally winning the vote – though initially only for women over 30 who met certain property qualifications.
Today, you can find traces of the suffragette movement all over London. The Museum of London holds an extensive collection of suffragette artifacts, including Emmeline Pankhurst’s hunger strike medal. There’s a statue of Millicent Fawcett in Parliament Square – the first statue of a woman in this historic space. The Pankhurst family home in Chelsea bears a blue plaque, as do several other significant sites.
Some lesser-known locations include the site of the Women’s Press Shop on Charing Cross Road, where suffragette literature was printed, and the former Criterion Restaurant in Piccadilly Circus, where the WSPU held its first major meeting. The Eagle and Child pub in Soho was a regular meeting spot for suffragettes planning their next actions.
The legacy of London’s suffragettes extends far beyond winning the vote. They challenged conventional ideas about women’s role in society, pioneered new forms of political protest, and showed that determined action could bring about social change. Their methods – from peaceful demonstrations to civil disobedience – created a template for protest movements that continues to influence activists today.
Next time you’re walking through Parliament Square or past the gates of Buckingham Palace, remember the women who fought their battles there. The London we know today – where women’s participation in political life is taken for granted – was built on their courage and determination to change the world, one broken window at a time.