The Women's Social and Political Union's motto 'Deeds not Words' was taken very literally, as their members were known to set off bombs, attack Parliament, start fires and one suffragette even destroyed artwork in the National Gallery.
Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU)
The Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) was launched in 1903 and became one of the most well known groups campaigning for women's suffrage. It was founded by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters Christabel and Sylvia in Manchester. The WSPU became famous for their militant tactics, civil disobedience and hunger strikes in prison.
Their motto 'Deeds not Words' was taken very literally as their members were known to set off bombs, attack Parliament, start fires and one suffragette even destroyed artwork in the National Gallery.
Watch the following recording of a speech made by Miss Christabel Pankhurst on suffrage for women
Recording courtesy of the EMi Archive Trust.
Clara Giveen
Lived in Winchester Lodge, Cowley Mill Road, Uxbridge.
Active member of the Uxbridge WSPU.
Gave a number of talks as part of her leadership roles in the WSPU.
Was arrested and imprisoned 7 times between 1911 and 1913. She served time in Holloway Prison and took part in hunger strikes.
Hunger strikes and force-feeding
Marion Wallace Dunlop was the first suffragette to go on hunger strike in prison in 1909. She had demanded to be treated as a political prisoner and, therefore, she would not eat until she had been granted that right.
After almost 4 days, prison authorities were worried that her potential death from starvation would create bad publicity and potentially make her a martyr for her cause. They released her. The tactic was then swiftly adopted by the WSPU and hunger strikes became a common story in local and national newspapers.
The different treatments of upper class and lower class suffragettes was later uncovered by Lady Constance Lytton. She had been arrested and gone on hunger strike several times, only to be released. But when she was arrested under the alias of Jane Warton her treatment was nothing short of brutal. Force-feeding involved a 4-foot long tube being inserted down a prisoner's throat as she was restrained by wardresses. The doctor would then pour liquid down the tube with no sense of empathy. 'Warton' was slapped and treated with a contempt that many other suffragettes would attest to.
The repercussions to these women's health would range from the immediate issues of infections from dirty tubes, to long-lasting physical and mental scarring. Lady Lytton suffered a stroke 2 years after her imprisonment, as her health had never fully recovered.
Some of the most provocative images from the suffragette movement were inspired by this cruel conduct.
Lilian Hickling and Olive Wharry
Lilian and Olive (pictured below) had just undergone force-feeding in prison. At the time of her release, Olive Wharry weighed just 5st 9lb.
The effects of the procedure have clearly had a terrible effect on both women.
Hurst Park Grandstand
On 14 June 1913, Clara and her fellow suffragette Kitty Marion (pictured here) were spotted at 10.45pm walking in the direction of the racecourse. Each carried a large wicker basket full of flammable oil. The women were spotted leaving the scene at haste. Eye witnesses noticed some fire damage to their clothing.
The fire raged from midnight until 5.30am and the damage to the building was estimated between £7,000 and £10,000.
The police traced the women back to a lodging house near Kew Gardens. A carpet found at the fire matched a piece found in Marion's room alongside suffragette literature and diary logs relating to previous fires - on this evidence and the witness testimony, the women were convicted.
Clara Giveen was sentenced to jail time in Holloway Prison. She underwent force-feeding and was released from prison under the 'Cat and Mouse Act'.
Cat and mouse
The 'Cat and Mouse' Act (more formally known as the 'Prisoners' Temporary Discharge for Ill Health' Act of 1913), was a government response to the public outcry over prison brutality and the harsh force-feeding of female prisoners.
The act allowed prisoners to be released when they were too weak or ill through lack of food to be kept safely in prison. This was only temporary; once the prisoner had regained her health, she would have to return to prison to relive the ordeal over again.
The WSPU took advantage of the act where possible. Many of their members were able to escape and evade capture during their temporary release.
Much of the public were divided. Many felt force-feeding of suffragettes was excessive, whilst others had little sympathy for militants who were becoming more violent, making bombs, starting fires and other criminal damage, especially those on temporary release.
It was not until the outbreak of war, when militancy was suspended and suffragettes were granted amnesty, that these episodes of force-feeding, hunger strikes and questionable methods used by the police authorities were brought to an end.
Images
Clara Elizabeth Giveen NPG x45564 Copyright to National Portrait Gallery
Lilian Hickling 57.57/54 Copyright to Museum of London
Olive Wharry 50.82/1300 Copyright to Museum of London
Force feed poster 50.82/1115 Copyright Museum of London
Kitty Marion NPG x45561 Cat and Mouse Poster 50.82/1113a
Copyright Museum of London Standard Poster 50.82/1546
