The Index of Suffragettes Arrested – Secrets of the National Archives

At the turn of the twentieth century, Votes for women was one of the biggest domestic political issues of the day. Suffrage supporters, frustrated with the lack of progress, turned to increasingly militant methods, from heckling politicians to arson attacks. The government was constantly struggling to keep up with their innovative, evolving campaigns. In response, the Home Office created an index of arrested Suffragettes to keep tabs on the activities of individuals, record aliases and link convictions.

Through this single iconic document, it is possible to gain an insight into a vibrant national movement. It records the leaders of the movement, alongside the everyday foot soldiers who were the backbone of suffrage activism. The index contains 1333 names; 1224 women and 109 men, all arrested in the name of votes for women. Join us to view the suffrage movement through the lens of this record that challenges what we know about the Suffragettes with Diverse Histories Specialist, Vicky Iglikowski-Broad.

Secrets of The National Archives is a new monthly series showcasing some of the most notable documents and tales from our collection. Each month, delve into the fascinating stories behind the documents and learn straight from the experts.

From iconic documents such as Magna Carta and Domesday, to our hidden gems, discover The National Archives’ unique and rich collection and explore history as it really happened.

Free, Donations accepted.

For details see www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-index-of-suffragettes-arrested-tickets-602461046207?aff=odcleoeventsincollection