The Index of Suffragettes Arrested – Secrets of the National Archives

Emily Sienkiewicz

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 …