Social History — 1908
Brooch
Silver brooch presented to the Suffragette Muriel Matters by the Women's Freedom League on her release from Holloway prison in 1908. Engraved M.M. October 28 and November 28 1908, referring to Muriel's period of imprisonment for disorderly conduct outside the House of Commons. Prior to her arrest Muriel and a fellow WFL member, Helen Fox had padlocked themselves to the grille that separated the Ladies' Viewing Gallery from the House of Commons. Muriel was presented with this brooch by Charlotte Despard at a ceremony in St James’s Hall, Piccadilly following her release from Holloway.
The Women's Freedom League were the first organisation to reward imprisoned suffragettes with brooches in recognition of their commitment and sacrifice to the militant cause. The relief design on the brooch depicts the entrance to Holloway prison. From 1909, the Women's Social and Political Union also presented a silver Holloway badge designed by Sylvia Pankhurst to imprisoned members.
- Category:
- Social History
- Object ID:
- 50.82/1142
- Object name:
- brooch
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- —
- Production date:
- 1908
- Material:
- silver
- Measurements/duration:
- H 27 mm, L 28 mm, D 6 mm
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Credit:
- —
- Copyright holder:
- digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
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